Hatrack River Forum: A Question for Grandma Edie

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Posted by blacwolve (Member # 2972) on :

How did you get the idea to write your book? Like, did you just decide you wanted to write one, or was it for a thesis, or what? [Dont Know]

[ January 02, 2004, 01:03 AM: Message edited by: blacwolve ]

Posted by Grandma Edie (Member # 5771) on :

Now, that's a bit of a story.

Originally, the editor, Patty Campbell, had asked me to write an overview, in book-length of "Christian Literature For Teens." The reason that she did this was that she had read the booklet (30 pages) I had written for the Church and Synagogue Library Association, (for free) and thought I could handle it.
I started the job, but didn't care for it. So much of what is called Christian Literature, especially the ones considered appropriate for teens, is, frankly, drivel.

I realized that I wasn't getting anywhere. I phoned Patty, and told her of my problem. At one point, I said, "Now, if I could just concentrate on one really good author..."

"Who, for instance?" asked Patty.

I was stuck! I hadn't expected that. I thought that she would either 1)accept my resignation from the project, OR 2)assign me a name.
Here I am, with the phone at my ear, trying to think fast. If I don't give Patty a name, she will never believe me. I thought, C. S. Lewis. No, this publisher wants living authors. Madeliene L'Engle. No, they have a book about her.

I suggested Walter Wangerin, Jr. But Patty felt that his sales were not high enough.

I was still thinking fast. Now, who has a strong Christian underpinning. Who is popular with young people, or at least popular generally.
And, most important, who did I last read for pure pleasure? Who did I think it would really be fun to try to read every word of, to research, to interview?

"Um." I said, "How about Orson Scott Card?"

"Great," says Patty. "Send me a chapter outline."

And we were away to the races!

Posted by blacwolve (Member # 2972) on :

That's really cool!

Posted by Grandma Edie (Member # 5771) on :

The moral:

If you want to break into writing, overlook a good chance to write "for free." You can never tell where it might lead! [Razz]

Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :

Grandma Edie, you've connected with the writings of Walt Wangerin? I used to babysit his kids! (The family lived down the road from us, and Thanne, his wife, was good friends with my mother.)

If you like his works, you should've seen him preach. He used to be pastor of Grace Lutheran in Evansville, Indiana, where I was fortunate to attend Bible School. Man, that man could give an accounting of Jesus' forty days in the desert that would sear across your memory for life.

I'll never forget the preaching and the singing, and the sweat-stained blouse of the woman screaming Hallelujah next to me. *grin

How cool to find another fan.

Posted by dkw (Member # 3264) on :

<--- Also a Wangerin fan. And I think Lime is too.

Posted by Grandma Edie (Member # 5771) on :

Has Wangerin got a website?

Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :

Hi, dkw! [Wave]

Grandma Edie, the only one I know of is through Valparaiso U ( http://www.valpo.edu/english/wangerin.html ), and I don't know if that is current. However, I've been meaning to write the family, and I will ask.