1. I am an out and out Lorrie Moore fan girl. I have been since I first read her debut collection of short stories back in 1985 (fux sake, 23 years ago!) Her wit, shine, talent and word play enthralled me then, and now.
2. She was making a rare UK visit to publicise her Collected works, and appearing alongside AL Kennedy at an event in Charleston yesterday.
3. I first read AL Kennedy fairly recently, beginning with Paradise which thrilled me with its perfection. She was there to promote her latest novel Day.
4. Squeee!
5. For a more measured recording of the event you may be best served by reading Vanessa's account.
6. OMFG Lorrie Moore is so...poised, articulate, smooth, self assured, fantastic, unflustered, intelligent and gorgeous. Plus, she had a great bag!
7. OMFG AL Kennedy is so... warm, open, intelligent, sparky; like some genius working at a faster speed than the rest of us - trying to slow down.
8. The extracts read were wonderful, I will read both of their books gleefully and relish every word, before reading again, trying to pick them apart to see how they work, see if I can learn.
9. The conversation with Di Spiers was absorbing. Sigh. I really felt so happy sitting listening to these two women who I admire so greatly. I would like to be friends with both of them, although I would be the quiet, dull friend with nothing to offer.
10. Both of them are funny. And very smart.
11. They are different, entirely, and yet there is a core which is similar. They were a good pairing.
12. The short story needs to be perfect, said AL Kennedy, there can be no room for flaws in craft, voice etc. She flicked a glass to illustrate the point that only a perfect one will sing the note. A novel on the other hand is more forgiving.
13. A novel is a place one has to stay for a long time, maybe several years. A short story is more of a quick visit, in and out, leaving a body bag said Moore.
14. Why should stories be happy when life is not? Kennedy does not "Do puppies", and Moore said that even the luckiest of lives will end in death and so it is hard to avoid the dark.
15. Moore sung the Star Spangled Banner. That was a surprise.
16. Erm...
17. Wow.
6 comments:
18. Cor, good wannit?!
19. I wrote lots of notes and put them somewhere....
Oh no! I was counting on you and your notes...
I'll just drool again like I did on V's blog. Soooooooooo jealous, saw A L Kennedy speak a few months ago, but Lorrie Moore, swoon. I've got a review copy of Collected Stories on its way, wheeee!
Um, you're not going to hurt me if I say I've never heard of Lorrie Moore, will you? *sheepish smile*
Sure sounds like an interesting read, though, so can I redeem myself by saying I'll check her out?
I found your blog on blogcatalog.com by the way, and since you're obviously into writing, I wanted to let you know about a new e-zine that me and a few writer friends are putting together.
It's called The Oddville Press.
We're just getting off the ground so our website isn't quite finished yet. Still, you should check us out if you're interested--or better yet, submit something!
Thanks a bunch. I really will check out Lorrie Moore, promise!
Hey Steph, thanks for dropping by.
Yup, you should check out Lorrie Moore, and sure, I'm happy to check out The Oddville Press - cool name :)
Tania - I forgot to mention that I loved her earrings too. I'm jealous of your review copy, but come Saturday I'll have my own, and I plan to re-read every single story in my own version of taking a master class.
Also a huge Lorrie Moore fan. Who Will Save the Frog Hospital is such a terrific title too. Just can't say enough good things about her.
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