I’ve been pinching myself so much this week I might have to break out the bandages soon.
This is the kind of week that lives on forever in the heart of a writer. I’ve had the great pleasure of crossing paths with three amazing authors this week and will spend an entire weekend with another in the coming days.
It all began Saturday when I had the great fortune to sit across from and interview author and national Catholic radio host, Dr. Ray Guarendi, someone I greatly admire because of his strong faith and solid parenting insight, which he shares with humor weekly on Ave Maria Radio.
On Monday, my writing mentor, the amazingly talented Jane Kurtz, was in town and graciously set aside time for me during her incredibly packed schedule. After lunch together, we set off for a local elementary school, where I had the pleasure of watching Jane talk to students about a program she co-founded, Ethiopia Reads, and the many books she’s written, including Lanie from the American Girl doll book series.
I didn’t know until then that Jane, the daughter of missionaries in Ethiopia, once met the very special Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta. Here she is as a girl (middle) standing next to the future saint:
And then yesterday, I had the great privilege of moving into the sphere of another author I very much admire. Not only did I hear bestselling memoirist Kelly Corrigan speak, I sat next to her while she was being introduced and was seated at a luncheon table just inches from her following her presentation. What an amazing talk she gave based on her life as a daughter, wife and mother who has triumphed over cancer, and her two books, The Middle Place and Lift.
A couple of my favorite quotes from Kelly’s talk:
“The emotional content of our life really doesn’t change. Having a bad hair day as a kid and watching your hair fall out from cancer…the feelings are mostly the same.”
“Life is like hang-gliding. You fly from thermal to thermal looking for a lift…And sometimes you follow other fliers into the turbulence so you can get a lift.”
“Being in Children’s Hospital (with my daughter) put me in touch with what a bold and dangerous thing it is to be a parent.”
Finally, by the time you read this I likely will be on a plane headed to Pennsylvania to take in a writer’s workshop offered by the Highlights Foundation. As if that wasn’t enough (combined by the fact that my friend Mary will be with me), I also learned late last week that Lenore Look, a dear soul and friend (author of Ruby Lu Brave and True and the Alvin Ho series) is going to be in attendance as well.
It doesn’t get much better than this!
If you have yet to be introduced to Kelly Corrigan, consider clicking on this link of Kelly doing a reading of her essay, “Transcending: Words of Women and Strength.” You won’t regret it!
Q4U: If you could meet and hang out with a famous author for a day, who would it be and why?
Looks like fun!
I would like to meet Mrs. Radcliffe. It would be fascinating to see how she thought of herself, in her status as a female pioneer who made a living from novel-writing.
Wow, that’s so cool! Looks like it was a great time. 🙂
Have fun at the Highlights workshop, Roxane! You’re in my home state, yay!
Right now I’d love to have a chat with J. K. Rowling. I watched her interview on Oprah (I missed it on TV, but luckily found it on the internet!), and it was a fascinating interview. She’s an incredible woman with intelligent and interesting insights. It’d be fun to have a conversation with her about imagination, failure and success, and writing!
Over the moon for you Roxanne, truly 🙂 So fun to have such a monumental week like this. Enjoy your week and thank you for sharing!
Oh gosh, who would I meet? I have to rest on this one a bit. How do you pick one over the other? Too many awesome choices, I’d be happy with just about anyone whose book I enjoyed or got so much out of.
Wow. It sounds like you had an amazing few days. I’m so glad you were able to spend time with three people you so admire.