Advice from Barbara Kingsolver
~ Taken from her talk in Floyd Virginia, September 16, 2006.
To upcoming writers: Learn everything you can about the world. Start books that no one will want to read. Having something to say is more important than trying to guess what people want to hear. Quit smoking. Live long enough to have something wise to say.
For activists and others concerned about the environment: Go to Alaska. It’s worth the jet fuel. Don’t think it’s all gone because it’s not.
On drawing from people you know to create fictional characters: I don’t use real people in my books. They’re not co-operative. My characters have to be my slaves!
Making movies from books: The best way to do it is how Jane Austen did it. Wait till your dead and then they can make all the movies they want. (Although, Barbara did relate that, contrary to past experiences, the current collaboration on a screenplay for “The Poisonwood Bible” is looking very hopeful.)
On the importance of libraries: Libraries are revolutionary. Free ideas for anybody? In America?
Best quote of the night: Are the choices you make adding up to the only thing that matters? (Passing on to our children what is precious before we gobble it all up).
On advice giving: I never give advice because people don’t really want it.
Post Note: The photo is of acclaimed author Barbara Kingsolver, her daughter Lilly, and her husband Steven, taken at the Floyd High School library. I’m working on a longer piece about her visit to Floyd and the new book she read from, which I hope to post later in the week. Meanwhile, you can read more about her here.
September 17th, 2006 9:07 pm
Her library quote is spot-on!
Michele sent me.
September 17th, 2006 10:32 pm
Lucky, lucky Floyd folks who had such a wonderful opportunity! I can’t wait to read more about it.
September 17th, 2006 11:03 pm
You are so fortunate to have had this opportunity, Colleen. I can’t believe that fred didn’t go to see her. I am looking forward to your longer piece.
Michele sent me.
September 18th, 2006 12:26 am
I haven’t been blogging as much lately, just happened to drop by and was delighted to find this. She seems like such a kindred spirit.
September 18th, 2006 1:50 am
This sounded quite fabulous, my dear. Rich in so very many ways—her advice that she says isn’t…(lol) LOVE That! And everything she said that you told us was great!
Reading aout her was very very interesting, too!
BTW: I think you are absolutely right about Spider Webs and Halloween…! Bever thought of it…but it makes total sense!
September 18th, 2006 6:49 am
Yes, love the library quote. I thought when the internet came along, the library would die out, but it is stronger than ever. All those books and info for free! And now internet access, too. Our library is a very busy place, and it is wonderful to see that.
September 18th, 2006 10:00 am
What a great opportunity that must have been to get her words of wisdom!
You have a nice life. 🙂
Feith
September 18th, 2006 10:14 am
Colleen and I were both taking notes throughout Barbara’s reading. Here’s a few that I noted that she didn’t. And Colleen? I’m going to borrow the ones YOU noted that I didn’t. I’m hoping for two response papers out of the evening.
“Borrowing water is like borrowing a kleenex…do you really want it back?”
“We put as much gasoline into our diets as we do into our cars.” (commenting on the statistical average of 1500 miles each piece of food on your plate has to travel.)
“I love beautiful sentances, but the writers who really move me are the ones who have wisdom, the ones who are teaching me something new about the world.”
“Librarians are the fiercest civil liberatarians.”
What a wonderful evening. I’m glad we could share it. Looking forward to hearing about last night’s spoken word too!
September 18th, 2006 10:22 am
Good for you for going. Sounds like a grand time with lots of good words. Look forward to your longer entry on it.
September 18th, 2006 10:28 am
I was sorry to have to miss both of these wonderful events; thanks for the great reports!
September 18th, 2006 10:53 am
Mara, I’m just getting started! I’m going to end up with a Barbara Kingsolver category sidebar! I have those quotes and more.
September 18th, 2006 3:14 pm
I love that author and The Poisonwood Bible was one of my most favourite books! It will interesting to see how they do the movie. I thought as I was reading it, that it would lend itself to becoming a movie.
September 18th, 2006 5:14 pm
The Poisonwood Bible was terrific the way she wrote in different characters-mode. Her next books was so different yet still able to capture the inside of each character. Ditto the comment above on librarians…love ’em.
September 18th, 2006 6:52 pm
I laughing at this excellent quote:
“On drawing from people you know to create fictional characters: I don’t use real people in my books. They’re not co-operative. My characters have to be my slaves!”
I wonder if you know why? (wink wink).
She’s sounds wonderful. I’ll be looking forward to your longer post on Barbara Kingsolver.
And also:
Did you notice her last name has LOVE and LOVER and LOVERS hiding right before our eyes. That says a lot to me.
September 19th, 2006 4:52 pm
That must have been a thrill for you, Colleen. She sounds like a fascinating person and I hope the movie will be faithful to the book. The Poisonwood Bible is a classic.
September 20th, 2006 1:50 am
Sometimes my characters become my masters…. 🙂
I love the “Start books that no one will read” advice.
September 20th, 2006 7:45 pm
Seems you and I both met with top authors recently.
And Barbara’s advice sounds right on the mark to me, especially her thoughts on characters.