Ask Joyce Maynard - Friday, September 20th! discussion
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Hi Joyce! Actually, there were two different Carens asking questions right after each other - I'm Caren and I asked about the books being made into movies, and DAMB. Then, another Karen (with a K) asked about pie and your kids. However, it looks like you addressed most of it, so thanks for being so accessible! And heck, I loved the pie-making in Labor Day too. I think the only person who'd play you is...you, of course. (Ha ha). Hmmm, maybe Anne Hathaway?
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I was a gymnast growing up. (very good by the way). I won many first place awards at the advance level in competitions all ove..."
Interesting story, Elyse. And a painful one. But you know, while I have no doubt your mother caused you great sorrow and let you down, I will say--speaking as the daughter of a mother who went completely the opposite direction, and lost all sight of the boundaries between us-- that there was something you got from this, which was a clear sense of YOURSELF. And look what you achieved,without your mother hovering over you and pushing you to succeed (as mine did.)
There is a passage in After Her in which the character of the older sister, Rachel, suddenly realizes this about her own absent mother. It's on page 178 (and goes to page 180). You might take a look at it. I'd be curious to know what you think, and if her thoughts match yours at all.
About gymnastics, by the way: All my life, I've wanted to be able to execute a cartwheel. I actually got a lesson on this , this past summer, from an old school friend I grew up with, captain of the cheering squad at our NH high school. Still working on it. I bet you can still cartwheel beautifully.
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Hi Helen. I would love to read what you have to say on my page. The problem is, I'm always maxing out on my friend list. I think there are one or two spaces at the moment though....so if you send me a friend request this morning, I'll be sure to accept it.
I could solve this problem if I created an author page instead of a regular page. But then I could not communicate personally with any reader, and I don't want to give that up.
(Tried that. hated it.)
About my wedding dress: I found it at a little dressmaker place in Brooklyn called Kimera. (They have a website). NOT expensive. it was a sample..but they do custom make dresses. very classic and simple, which is hard to find in a wedding dress, I discovered.
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Amanda Hale"
Karen: I just realized I got your question confused with the question of CAREN. So I gave you an answer to a question you did not ask!
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-Will After Her be made into a film?
-What about At Home in the World? I always thought that would be a terrific film or documentary. Your life story is so u..."
I got your question confused with the question of KAREN. Sorry about this. You'll find your answer in THAT thread.
Joyce wrote: "Ti wrote: "Hello!! I just finished After Her and what struck me, is the genuine closeness of the two sisters in the book. Their fierce love of one another is something that still resonates with me ..."Thank you!
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You can see us talking about the book, and the story, here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZmyOr...
Good morning, Joyce! Just popped in to say hello and to recommend your workshop to any and all writers, aspiring or otherwise. I flew to California from Texas several months ago for a one-day workshop, and it was a great investment. Joyce takes time and care with each manuscript, offering insight and feedback that all of us learned from. And she cooked for us! If you want to write, you can. And she will help make you as good as you want to be.
Good morning Joyce. I don't have a question, but I do want to say that I am so grateful I "discovered" you recently and your amazing collection. I found you from listening to an NPR interview of another writer who's character was similar to Holden Caulfield (sorry!!) and this writer mentioned how interesting your book "At Home in the World" was. Sadly, I cannot remember who the author was in the interview because I immediately Googled you!! Long story short, I have read "At Home in the World", "After Her" and just finished "Labor Day". You are an author with a voice that makes me feel "at home". By the way, I just downloaded the audio of "At Home in the World" and am listening with great delight. You have a wonderful speaking voice and have enjoyed "hearing" this book. Best regards, Jamie from Oregon
Joyce wrote: "Ann wrote: "Hi, Joyce! One of the things I love about your writing is the pacing--you're able to discuss characters doing day-to-day things without rushing off to the next bit of "action," but thos..."Thanks for your reply, Joyce! I love writing but struggle with the same thing. It's hard to disconnect from the world. I would love to do one of your writing workshops--maybe once I've built up some airline miles. :)
I've really enjoyed reading all your responses here. Thanks for letting us get to know you a little better!
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so good to hear from you, Margaret. I love to work with writers on their stories, and am deeply gratified when I see a breakthrough like yours. As often happens. If there' ssomeone reading this who'd like to know more, by all means go to my website, www.joycemaynard.com
For now, the writing event I've got planned is my annual weeklong memoir workshop on the shores of Lake Atitlan, in Guatemala. But I'll be teaching in Maine this coming summer, and will no doubt host a one-day workshop in my home again before too long. if you register your email at my website, you will get a notice when a new class is announced. I work with writers of all levels....including those who don't even call themselves writers, but simply have a story to tell. WHich we all do.
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Good hearing from you, Ann. I do sometimes need to disconnect from the world --at which point i leave home and hole up someplace. But the work I do also requires me to do what i love, which is to hear people's stories and undersatnd all the different ways we live our lives. SO i am in the world for a while, then on hiatus...
(about your writing: Come work with me at Lake Atitlan!)
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good to hear from you , Jamie. Recording that audio book of AHITW meant a lot to me (though it was hard). I also recorded After Her, by the way....and one of the two voices for The Good Daughters. And my actor son, Wilson Bethel , recorded Labor Day, beautifully.
Unfortunately, I've had little time to read After Her, but I have read several of your other books and you're listed on my GR "absolute favorite authors" shelf! I am always amazed at how you relay such personalized characterization with what I feel is a more limited text than other writers whose works I enjoy a lot. Your ability to resonate with me through your characters without "wordiness" is nothing short of amazing, in my opinion! I look forward to finishing After Her this weekend. As others have mentioned, it is fantastic that you are willing to communicate directly with your readers. Thank you so much for that...as well as sharing your skills and abilities with the world at large!
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Im writing this during a break at the gym--where im on thelas six weeks of my resolve to fet un the best shape of my life before my 60th birthday in november
(Luckily I was never a super athlete so the bar is nit so high. Still your eords provide a welcome break.
I wNt to thank you for your loyal readership
I could not keep writing without readers like you
Happy to provide you with a break! I am just 2 1/2 years from 60 and have made resolution to keep working out regularly...forever! That magic number does seem to carry some weight, doesn't it? Though honestly, you have always looked to be in "good shape," in my opinion!! Thanks again!
Hi Joyce: Reading 'After Her' right now. It is a real page turner - love its sweet constant suspense. I must tell you it has been years since I have sat down and read a book. Because you and I are friends on FB my interest in 'After Her' was developed and it does not disappoint. I am looking forward to reading more books and I have you to thank for that! Thank you!!! xox
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Hi Kim. Yes, I HAVE thought about setting a novel in Guatemala . The only kind of story I'd feel qualified to tell woudl be one involving expatriates in a village of the kind I've lived, part time, for the last 13 years. It would be very presumptuous of me to try and write a novel whose central characters were indigenous Mayan....but Mayan culture--viewed from the perspective of a North American--would surely be a part of any story I'd set there.
I'm curious why you ask....
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I have relished your non-fiction & fiction ever since I read Four Generations in a college lit book. The myriad ways that mothers and daughters weave in, out and through each others' lives i..."
Hi Karen. I got confused here....(technologically challenged) and responded to your comments in the box of a woman named CAREN.
If you can't find what I said, repost and I'll try again!
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Here's what I care about most at age 60: HEALTH. I want to live a long active life. No guarantees, regardless of what I do or eat of course. But I hope I can stay active and writing for a long time.
Hi Joyce,I just finished After Her. I loved the story, the characters, the details from the era of the late '70's-early '80's. My question-did you enjoy writing your book in this time period? Was it a fun time period to visit during the writing process? After Her completely transported me back to that time period-which I loved-the music, the fashion, the houses etc. etc. etc.
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Yes, I loved revisiting the era of the late seventies and early eighties as I did in the writing of After Her--though my own experience of those years was markedly different from that of my characters. (I was living, at the time, in very rural New Hampshire , having babies, and writing my first novel, Baby Love.)
I'll tell you one thing I liked about setting this novel in an earlier time (and it may account for why my last three novels were also set in earlier times--the mid eighties for Labor Day, the sixties for The Cloud Chamber, and the fifties/ sixties and beyond for The Good Daughters):
These were pre-technology times ! As much as I like my iPhone and my laptop, the idea of having my characters engage in texting and googling just feels pretty soulless. (I wrote a novel back in the 90's called Where Love Goes, in which my main characters conduct a lot of their love affair via FAX. Talk about a dated concept....)
One day, I guess I'll have to deal with including current technology in a work of fiction. But i'm holding out as long as I can. Maybe I'll just write a novel set during a power failure.
Joyce wrote: "Hello Jim. Good question. Yes, I loved revisiting the era of the late seventies and early eighties as I did in the writing of After Her--though my own experience of those years was markedly diff..."
O.K. then, what did you like most about revisiting that time period? Certainly your musical taste is more sophisticated than the music of the '70's and '80's...and you probably have never indulged in a slurpee!
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I love the way that--back in those pre-high -technology days--kids went outdoors and made their own adventures instead of sitting in front of a screen.
I loved it that the girls in my novel had BIG ADVENTURES .
Thanks Joyce for sharing the My Sharona song story and answering my questions. It is amazing how things work out! All the best!
Amanda Hale