Help From the Audience
The other night I was one of several authors reading at Pine Creek Lodge, a rural restaurant south of my home in Livingston. We were reading outdoors, in pleasant weather, to sixty or seventy people.
I chose an early short story of mine, The Business of Dying, about California 49ers, which was published in the Morrow Anthology of Great Western Short Stories years ago.
My problem was, my eyes are failing me. I've had procedures and surgeries that have only weakened them. I'm 78, and my senses aren't what they used to be.
I started in, couldn't see, tried a couple more times, and finally apologized and abandoned the platform. But my friend and neighbor Margot Kidder jumped up, offered to read my story, and took over.
She worked her magic, quickly owning a story she had never seen, and in moments she had my characters down, the mood right, and soon the narrative was rolling along. It was a treat to hear a fine actress give my story a great ride, and the audience sure enjoyed it.
I chose an early short story of mine, The Business of Dying, about California 49ers, which was published in the Morrow Anthology of Great Western Short Stories years ago.
My problem was, my eyes are failing me. I've had procedures and surgeries that have only weakened them. I'm 78, and my senses aren't what they used to be.
I started in, couldn't see, tried a couple more times, and finally apologized and abandoned the platform. But my friend and neighbor Margot Kidder jumped up, offered to read my story, and took over.
She worked her magic, quickly owning a story she had never seen, and in moments she had my characters down, the mood right, and soon the narrative was rolling along. It was a treat to hear a fine actress give my story a great ride, and the audience sure enjoyed it.
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