Breaking Bread With The Greats

Last week totally qualifies as a five-star week in large part because I got to have lunch with Katherine Paterson (of Bridge to Terabithia fame) and Tobin Anderson (Feed is my favorite of his excellent novels). This all came about because for the first time in my life I bid at an auction and decided that I was going to win or die trying. The meals were part of an annual auction held at VCFA every year, and I bought them for myself as a graduation present (we were awarded our MFAs just a few days after said auction). I brought my dear friend and Ally,

It was, I have to say, a kind of religious experience getting to meet and hug and hang out with the Katherine Paterson. Jacob Have I Loved was one of my absolute favorite books growing up. The story meant—and continues to mean—so much to me. It’s one of the finest examples of young adult literature in the canon and to have the opportunity to pick Katherine’s brain was something I will never forget. We talked quite a bit about how a novel like this may not get published today. It’s a deeply internal story that follows its protagonist into her adulthood. It doesn’t have a hook or sexy plot.…