Saturday, July 12, 2008

Chasing Manhattan

Today I'm home from New York, after an action-packed day and a signing at the well-named children's book store, Books of Wonder. So strange to be in New York fresh after a week in Maine by a secluded lake--what an incredible contrast. Which do I like better? The tranquil, sylvan glen, or the world's most thriving metropolis? It is a dead-even tie.

The event was a lot of fun, and I got to meet four other authors, ANNA GODBERSEN, author of The Luxe, RACHEL VAIL, author of Lucky, SUZANNE WEYN, author of Reincarnation (and also The Bar Code Tattoo, which she was sweet enough to give me a copy of, and J.M. STEELE, a fellow Hyperion author who wrote The Market. I did not meet the sixth author, F. PAUL WILSON, author of Jack:Secret Histories, only because I met him a couple years ago when I was trying to launch my writing career. Paul was instrumental in helping launch that career. I attended a writing workshop where Paul was one of the instructors. The workshop was really my first attempt to "leave the cave" to advance my writing career, and I really didn't know what to expect. After Paul read my sample, he said "I can't help you." I gave him the deer in the headlights look, and then he went on went on to say that as far as my writing went, there wasn't anything major he thought I needed to work on. I was ready, in other words, for publication. Paul has written over forty wonderful novels and countless wonderful short stories, so for him to give such encouragement was and is a high point of my writing life thus far. His influence on my life and career since has been dramatic.

So it was fun when the panel of authors was asked the question "who has inspired you to become an author?" and I got to answer, truthfully, "Paul".

Later that night I walked a dozen or so blocks to my hotel, which was across the street from a couple nightclubs. The street in front was of cobblestones, and there was a courtyard dividing the streets with a functional stonework art installation where people could sit and talk. I took the highest seat and watched the city flow by for an hour or so, just as I had sat on the deck at the place we rent in Maine to watch the lake,which is fed by two rivers,flow. Both sights were awesome to behold.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

That must have been a lot of fun^-^ I prefer the tranquil lake setting better the city. But it seemed like you had a lot a fun, I'm happy your back c:

Daniel Waters said...

Hi Amanda!

Thanks, I'm glad to be back, too.

Take care,
Dan

Anonymous said...

I love The Luxe and Rumors! They are some of the best books ever! After Generation Dead of course!

mudff70 said...

Dan,
Just a note to say congrats, I was just reviewing the Good Morning America write up and some of the other write ups. Nice Job!

See you next week,

Your Bro,
Mark

Unknown said...

Hmm... I want to be a lawyer, but I'm inspired by a video game. Definitely not as meaningful.

Shooting Stars Mag said...

New York is definitely not a place I could ever live (I've visited twice) but I would love to be able to just watch the city go by (sadly, I couldn't, being stuck in a hotel in Jersey near who knows what...definitely not like the city).
Anyway, that's an amazing story about Paul. I would have been shocked at his answer as well, but I'm glad he meant it in a nice way!! How awful if he didn't!!! lol
Sounds like a great time though. It must be fun meeting fellow authors. As for me, not being an author, I'd still love to meet some...though I have yet too. I will though!!

-Lauren