This morning I’m heading into the city to tape an edition of NPR’s “Fresh AIr” with Terry Gross. I’m a huge fan of Terry Gross and am very excited but also anxious about doing the show. I was told that I would be asked to read from my book and have spent the better part of the morning ruling out various excerpts.
I can’t read the opening chapter because there’s too much dialogue and I’m no actress. Whenever I read dialogue aloud, I would like to adopt the persona of the character and try to say the words as she or he might, but just as I begin to form the words in my mouth, I am overcome by a dizzying self-consciousness and I switch course and read the language with all the pizzazz of a third grader reading a term paper about road construction. All the female characters sound like me and all male characters sound like me. The children sound like me and so do the drunkards, elderly and demented.
So I ruled out any parts that have too much dialogue. Then I ruled out some rather funny parts because, taken alone, they sound … not so funny. Ruled out any parts that described fictitious famous people because I’ve run into trouble recently with people thinking I was describing real living famous people. The hairdresser and dermatology scenes might make the book sound too chicklit, while the flashbacks, taken out of context, make no sense. I finally narrowed it down to three words in the middle of the book: “Babies change you.” I would like to read just those three words because, really, no truer words have ever been spoken.
Gee, selecting an excerpt does sound like quite the challenge. I’m sure you’ll do fine. You’ll let us know when the NPR piece will be aired? Would like to give a listen.
Annie
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Hi Ann,
Wow..Terry Gross is probably one of the most astute female journalists out there today..but I bet you are going to end up having a fanstastic interview…she will keep you on your toes but you are definitely her equal in every way! All the best,
Laurie F.
OH MY GOD!!! Terry Gross! You have arrived! How fantastic. I must listen and get the pod cast! I am so excited for you. Terry is lovely, and being and old Philly boy, always felt like a friend (ok, so I never met her, but if you lived in Philly, everybody saw her at the Reading Terminal at least once!).
You are so cool. Great book, witty and funny, good press, YES, you do have a WICKED GOOD LIFE!! YOO HOO for Ann!! YIPPEE, you must let us all know how it went and when it will be on. I am sure the blog will be as good as the interview!
Do tell when you get the air date…would love to listen in! Recommending the book like mad.
Hi Ann,
Sorry to say I have not been to your blog since we got back from Florida. Enjojed reading all your entries. Hope you are having fun on all of your book interviews. Good luck with the book.
Love, Uncle Bob