'Atmosphere, Imagery and Adventure'

 

“I think almost always that whatgets me going with a story is the atmosphere, the visual imagery, and then Ipeople it with characters, not the other way around.” – AnnBeattie

 

Born in Washington, DC on this datein 1947, Beattie is a short story writer and novelist noted for her dry,matter-of-fact irony – particularly in writing about the members of the BabyBoom generation.  Distortions, her first collection of shortstories (she’s now authored 12 collections), won her several awards for excellence,as did her novel Chilly Scenes of Winter, also was made into a well-receivedfilm called “Head Over Heels.”

 

Beattie’s most recent book of shortstories, Onlookers: Stories was published in 2023, the same yearher nonfiction book More to Say: Essays and Appreciations was released.  The author of numerous essays, her papersare housed at the Special Collections Library at the University of Virginia, whereshe served as Chair of the English and Creative Writing Department for manyyears. 

 

“I don't write about things that Ihave the answers to or things that are very close to home,” she said.  “It just wouldn't be an adventure. Itwouldn't have any vitality.”