May 5.
One More Page - a tiny new bookstore in Arlington, VA
I arrived five minutes late - parking was a problem. Because of large turnout, time was spent trying to gather chairs for everyone. Finally, they gave up - standing room only, people were lucky to get in the door.
And there was Helen way up front, speaking of the "vagaries of the publishing world." She described a book talk last week in NYC - the president of Random House was there - she listed a few other important people who were with him...and the
EIGHT people who showed up to hear her speak and have books signed. She wished they could have seen the crowd (200?) in Arlington. Her husband was there too - laughing at her description of life as an "established author."
She laughs at herself...a really droll sense of humor. She seemed surprised at some of things we laughed at - as if she didn't understand why we were laughing.
Helen Simonson - smiling eyes She wrote the book as part of a Masters' Program in creative writing. Started writing shorter pieces for magazine publication, until one day, she wrote a piece on the Major...who was instantly loved by her class - and her professor. They all loved the Major - seemed to know him better than she did. He seemed to take on a life of his own that day, and everyone wanted to hear more. So she began to write about him, 20 pages for each class assignment, until it became clear after a while, that she was writing a novel.
The novel took
FIVE YEARS TO WRITE - probably would have taken longer, but when the economy collapsed, it was time to stop the writing and get a proper job. Quickly she finished the book - the last
EIGHT CHAPTERS she wrapped up in
6 weeks. Frankly, she said, she didn't care any more - got tired of the Major and his inability to act.. When the time had come to get the book done, and the Major refused to come up with an ending,she ORDERED him to do something. She would have liked to end it on the cliffs, but had trouble ending there. (The Epilogue had been written earlier, so she knew how it would end.)
She revelled in her rejection letters that began, "Dear Writer".. Felt she now had a title. This was much better than "Dear Housewife." You learn to live with rejection - it's a way of life, she said. But after many rejection letters, I think she said 30, she heard from an agent with Random House and from then on, her life changed. Shortly after it was published and she was told she was booked for a book tour, which was "simply exhausting, brutal" - five star hotels, chauffeurs, restaurants, nail salons..."brutal" She said she felt like a combination of Cinderalla and Pretty Woman - as if she had won the Literary Lottery.
About her characters -
Everyone is made up. Characters just pop into her head, little snippets stored away, but none based on a real person. Once in her writing class in a short story, she did describe real people - who didn't recognize themselves!
She said the Major isn't based on anyone at all. She said that she has never described him, so that any number of people could play his role and still look like him - she has given no physical characteristics. She will not be writing the screenplay for the movie. Will leave that to people who are experienced bringing literary works to film.
The Pakistanis...she started out researching until she became overwhelmed. Participated in message boards on-line with young Muslim people. She tried to give the Pakistanis the same problems everyone struggles with - especially class.
She mentioned little George - said she was pleased with the group who picked up on the fact that George was the Patron Saint of England - and that her George represented the future of England. (That would be our group)
Her favorite character was Roger; he is
an apology to her own parents. ....He is made up of all the terrible things she ever said to her parents. He represents the worst in all of us. The more outrageous he became, the more she laughed. It became difficult to make him three-dimensional.
The question on the parallels between the Major and his son came up...was it planned, or was it a surprise. I had that one question typed up and in my hand from our group, ready to ask her. Someone else asked and her reply was "you must be from that SeniorLearn group who has been dogging me for an answer to that question." I called out from the back - "that was us, but we really weren't dogging you"...We really weren't - we just asked the question- twice. Was that "dogging?" Helen turned to me and laughed and went on to say that it wasn't an easy question to answer. She said you really shouldn't plan something like that. You just toss in all of the ingredients...into a big bowl of spahetti and meatballs only without the bowl, and hope it all takes shape. I'm not describing this as well as she did, but I think our question was answered. Helen was right, there isn't an easy answer to that one. When you work out and understand the character, the parallels will appear, even without planning.
Her next book - she is "morally opposed to sequels." Those characters should be allowed to rest in peace. Her New Characters are waiting for her, standing with bus tickets in hand, waiting for her to signal when they can get going.
I'm really looking forward to her next book - and relieved that we will see new characters from this talented writer.
