... and I'm talking OUT LOUD to any ... librarian ...

When was the last time you visited the library?

I'm a bit embarrassed to admit that I don't visit mine often -- barely at all, in fact. But this past Wednesday, I was reminded of how awesome libraries are when Ben and I were invited to speak at the Monona Public Library.

Librarians Toni and Erick asked us in to discuss publishing and how the process works, from our perspective, from idea to bookshelf. Though it was (apparently) also a World Series game night, we had a great crowd turn up to listen to us talk, and we even brought along veteran Bleak House author John Galligan to add his insights to the discussion.

It was AWESOME. And not just because Toni (who is also an author) made fresh-baked cookies for the event. Though that did add to the awesomeness. (They were lemon-oat cookies, you guys. This is a cookie I did not know existed before Wednesday. I, um, took home all the leftovers because omg, yum.)

Ben and I rambled a bit in our introduction, and then the crowd (and some authors, proxied via email by Toni) asked us some really great, really interesting questions. Questions like, "Why do I need an agent?" and, "Do I need to copyright my own book?" I love doing sessions like this -- I don't pretend to know every in and out of this crazypants business, but I do have a handle on the basics and some subtleties and I love to feel useful, so when I can answer something for an aspiring author, I relish the opportunity. (Thank you, Toni and Erick!)

My favorite question of the night may have been (and I'm paraphrasing, so please forgive the non-exact quotes), "I prefer to write without any profanities or sex scenes -- will an editor tell me I don't have enough of that, and will I be asked to add it?" I loved this question because it was the opposite of what Ben and I normally hear ("Will you make me cut all these curses?"). The answer to both is to write with the language that serves your story -- it's about matching your tone and your intent, not about trying to fit into a pre-defined box an editor has laid before you. If I object to a swear word in a manuscript, I'm not objecting the author using that word; I'm objecting to that character in that place at that time using that word in conversation with that other character.

We were asked some wonderful questions about writing, as well, and I'm so glad we had John along to help us field those. Besides writing the outstanding Fly Fishing Mystery series, John teaches writing here in Madison at MATC, and always has insightful advice. Such as: "Start the scene partway through the action, and end it before it's over." "Only give backstory in really small doses -- and don't give it up front. Wait until the reader is dying to know the backstory surrounding a given event, and then only give them part of it." (Readers of John's will recognize this bit of advice in perfect practice with regards to the Dog and Eamon. And readers who haven't yet read John's books ... well, what are you waiting for?!)

Judicious use of backstory can be an excellent way to change readers' established opinions of your characters in a hurry. I like to point at the TV show Lost as a good example of this: Many characters are set up so viewers will dislike them (ahem, BEN), and then three episodes later are given a backstory which inspires sympathy, thus causing viewers enough cognitive dissonance to maybe challenge their former response. (Sorry, I'm SUPER into Lost these days, as I've been marathon-ing episodes nonstop on Netflix. We're now mid-way through Season 5 (please, no spoilers!), so pretty much everything I look at reminds me of something on Lost. "Hey, that guy is playing a guitar outside the coop!" "Oh, that reminds me of this one time on Lost when Charlie [though I insist on pronouncing it Chy-aaaaaaaaaaaah-lee, like Claire does] was playing HIS guitar outside, and it started to rain, and then DESMOND showed up and was all, 'Do I know you, brother?'". This is what it's like to hang around me these days, honestly.)

But back to libraries: Take some time this week and visit yours. Check out what programs they have to offer. Or, if you can't physically get to the library, check out their website. Monona's has a "Librarians' Picks" page (and I fully endorse their fifth pick, naturally). They also have really handy e-newsletters, which you can sort and tailor to your specific tastes. And they're on Twitter!

I'm vowing right here and now to start exersising my library card again. Join me, won't you?

Oh, and tomorrow, in case you didn't get enough of my ramblings just now, I'll be interviewed over at Do Some Damage. The interview may or may not include me asking someone -- anyone! -- to autotune an audiobook for my amusement.

And, because it's been awhile since I've mentioned it, you can follow me on Twitter here, or follow Tyrus Books here.

Comments

[Jeff Cohen]

Funny you should mention it--I was just at my local library yesterday! Dropping off, not picking up. Much as I encourage readers to buy as many books as they can, I have to admit, I also love libraries to pieces, and avail myself of the local one whenever there's a book I know I want to read, but can't afford to buy.

[Steve Weddle]

Watched the first few episodes of LOST then fell out of it. Probably makes for great marathon viewing.

I like the personal service in libraries. The old "Sorry, that one's out. But you might like this one." I don't feel as if they're just trying to sell me something, y'know?

Oh, and I heard that the auto-tuning is request made it into the final version of the interview.

[Patti Abbott]

I visit my library at least twice a week. I take out music, DVDs, tools, books and books on tape. I hear lectures, take my grandson and make it a common destination for our daily walk. I buy lots of books there too. It has enriched my life since I went to the mobile library around the corner when I was five.