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Sara Reyes | Do Special Events Make for a Better Relationship with Artists Creation?
May 2, 2009
And by artists I am referring to authors and film makers this time around. We'll
leave the musicians, painters, sculptors, and programmers out of the
conversation. If you know me well, you'll find I consider almost all producers
of a "thing" including code as "creative artists" but I will not digress today.
Back to the topic of "does meeting the artist make you like or appreciate the
work better or less?" Here's the deal. Today we're having a high tea with Susan Mallery. It's a
special private tea with just our book club and Susan. We've been looking
forward and planning this event for months and no matter what happens it will be
a day we'll remember for a long time. Seriously, we still talk about dinners
with authors from ten or twelve years ago, reminiscing over the time spent with
them, their books we've read since and for those who didn't attend, lamenting
over their missed opportunity. In some way that private time spent with the
author gives them a very special relationship with our reading group and
individuals enduring long past the actual event. Earlier this week, I went to a film viewing of The
Maiden Heist at the USA Film Festival in Dallas. The director, Peter
Hewitt and producer Rob Paris were in attendance and introduced the film, then
talked about it after the showing. I went because I adore Christopher Walken and
I wanted something fun to lighten up my week. Although the film was an amusing
escape from my reality, the addition of the filmmakers created a sense of
"specialness" that will last a long time. When "The Maiden Heist" goes to wide
distribution (it's tentatively scheduled for a fall release) I'll spend another
$10 to see it plus will probably buy it in DVD. I've already bored my husband
and daughter and a few friends about it (including you, dear blog readers) and
don't see myself stopping anytime soon. Go see it, a great ensemble comedy with
a stellar cast including Christopher Walken, Morgan Freeman (God), William H.
Macy and Marcia Gay Harden--her Rose is wonderful! It's what happens when the
forces that be try to take away a person's obsession! Back to today, our event with Susan will make her upcoming trilogy very special
to the members of the DFW Tea group, even besides its Texas setting. Even the
ones who can't come today are even beginning their laments (as well as
directives to get books signed, sending along stuff, etc). Those of us there
will probably fall in love again with Susan and will reminisce for years to come
about our special day and tea with her. And she'll make new fans out of people
who probably never met her before. So what is it that makes works of art even more "special?" Is it the interaction
on a personal level you have with the creator? Perhaps at a signing or talk? Or
a private function? Or with the ubiquitous Internet, an email message, a group
chat, a blog comment, or even, gasp, a Twitter? Or does all these
up-close-and-personals turn you off? I know that liking, loving and hating are
just different degrees of the same thing, so perhaps too close is too much? Anyway, to reward your efforts this weekend, we'll be giving away to someone who
comments on either this or Sandi's blog on Sunday a very special grab bag -- it
will be something signed (or several somethings signed) by Susan Mallery during
our time today. So don't be shy and do check out our photos from the event.
We'll be Twittering them as well as posting later today on our photos
section.
And to all who can't make it in person, we'll send out some delicious cyber
scones to ya! Until next time...
 Get out there and READ a
book...
Sara Reyes
DFW Tea Readers Group
Join us at Readers 'n 'ritas November
13-15, 2009!
Comments
18 comments posted.
Re: Sara Reyes | Do Special Events Make for a Better Relationship with Artists Creation?
I'm glad that someone had to cancel from the tea today because it created a spot for
me after my original weekend plans got cancelled. I've read several of Susan's
books, and am looking forward to the opportunity to tell her I've enjoyed them! I'm
also excited because even though I had left a book to be signed in my absence I
took some time today to hunt down some more to get signed! I'm coming fully
armed!
(Sandi Shilhanek 12:03pm May 2, 2009)
Meeting authors at a book signing is something I put on my calendar. Having the author come to a book group is even better. You must be glowing.
(Alyson Widen 12:15pm May 2, 2009)
I wish that I were going to the tea! I love Susan Mallery's books.
I do think being up close and personal with an author is a special occasion. It's wonderful to get to know the author behind the stories you love. Even just talking with an author through blogs and emails is fun. I think author/reader interaction inspires reader loyalty. It probably does wonders for the author's self-confidence and motivation, too.
(Cheryl Castings 12:31pm May 2, 2009)
I also wish I was going to tea! I think meeting an author personaly would be an awesome thing to do. This is something I have never had to chance to do. I do plan to one day.
(Gail Hurt 12:41pm May 2, 2009)
I enjoy meeting authors, singers, actors, etc., either before or after I see their work. Sometimes, though, I think it makes it more special if I'm already familiar with what they've done. It puts a face to something I've enjoyed.
(LuAnn Morgan 2:04pm May 2, 2009)
NOT a chat - they go too fast to keep up and people are answering questions asked several pages ago.
I do like meeting authors, etc. in person through a blog or exchange of e-mail messages. I am more likely to remember a name if I correspond with that person.
However, I remember Nevada Barr because she writes about National Parks - many of which I have visited. I remember Tony Hillerman because he writes about the 4 Corners area again where I have visited. So people and places both make the book mean more to me.
(Karin Tillotson 3:28pm May 2, 2009)
Enjoy your tea. And so lucky to be with Susan. I adore her books. Say hi to her from me. LOL.
(Pat Lieberman 4:19pm May 2, 2009)
Having the chance to be at a n event like this tea with the "creator" of a work of "art", be it a book, a piece of music, a photograph or painting or sculpture, or whatever, is always bound to have an impact on how you feel about the creator of said work, good, bad or otherwise. Getting to know someone up close and personal in this way is one of the most rewarding (and sometimes frustrating!) ways to appreciate their work.
(Lynn Rettig 6:54pm May 2, 2009)
I would love to go to an event like the one described. High tea with an author has to be delightful!
(Bridget Lopreiato 9:46pm May 2, 2009)
I would imagine having tea would be a lovely way to connect on a level other than
reader/author and yet all the more at that level. Sounds like you had a great time.
I've seen great comments about Sunset Bay and look forward to the new series!
(Mary Hundley 9:57pm May 2, 2009)
I am so glad I discovered several
author sites and started following
them. Comments from authors on the
research they do for their stories, their
community involvement, and work
with other authors has been very
interesting. Knowing the research
background adds a richness to the
story. Haven't met any authors, but
that would certainly make me
interested in their work.
(Patricia Barraclough 10:22pm May 2, 2009)
It is always a pleasure to have an opportunity to get to meet an author at a signing or exchange an email with them via their website or a blog. To me it just makes me enjoy reading their books all the more. If I haven't read their books yet, it would be a good way to get me to go out and buy their books.
(Kay Martinez 10:48pm May 2, 2009)
I am a big Susan Mallory fan. It would be a pleasure to just sit back & listen to all the chatting over a warm cup of tea. New authors & ones whose books I've read would make the time most enjoyable! Jean M.
(Jean Merriott 12:05pm May 3, 2009)
I'll have to keep an eye out for The Maiden Heist! I love William H. Macy as an actor and with that fantastic cast, it sounds great!
As for whether or not meeting the artist makes me like or appreciate the work better or less, I've had it work both ways. Most times, yes, it made me love the work much more however, there were a couple of unfortunate occasions where the meeting has left a bad taste in my mouth and definitely cooled my appreciation for their work.
(Jacqueline Lam 1:52am May 3, 2009)
What a fun event! A great way to relax
and cosy up with an author.
(Sue Ahn 4:51am May 3, 2009)
I have not had the opportunity to meet the authors I collect and read. However, it would be a dream come true. To be able to pick their brains for just a few moments, would be fascinating. Have a great day.
(Roberta Harwell 11:43am May 3, 2009)
I hope you had lots of fun at your tea. I think it would be wonderful to meet with authors and talk with them. A good experience with an author probably goes a long way in influencing people to buy the author's books.
(Lori Patterson 11:59am May 3, 2009)
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(Joson Make 3:55am August 2, 2013)
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