Thank you for writing
July 11th 2008 02:45
When I was nineteen Tom Robbins was my favourite author – Even Cowgirls get the Blues, Still-life with Woodpecker and Jitterbug Perfume are still three of my all-time favourite books that made it onto my top shelf where I keep my gems. So I wrote him a letter telling him just how awesome I thought he was. I did so, knowing that all his books are dedicated to ‘all those whose letters I haven’t answered.’ I did so even though later books are dedicated ‘to all those whose letters I still haven’t answered.’ In my letter I told him I did not want to be included in the dedication of his next book.
And behold – Tom Robbins answered my letter. I quote his response: Dear Joanne, your kind words found their way to this distant outpost where they caused me some genuine pleasure and I thank you for that. I am sorry I don’t have time for a more adequate response, but I am up to my ears in the smoking juice of the universe. Yours, Tom Robbins.’
This was in the day of real proper letters on writing paper, not email. I still have that precious missive in my pile of precious missives and suchlike.
It has taught me that there is one golden rule when you are an author (no matter how busy you are or how far up yourself you are or how bogged down you are in the smoking juice of the universe): ANSWER YOUR FANMAIL.
Things Without A Name has been out for exactly six weeks now, and thank you to everyone who has bought it, read it and especially those of you who have delighted me with emails telling me how much you have loved it. Every time someone bothers to tell me how much they cried, or laughed or just couldn't put it down, I am renewed with a sense of purpose it is so easy to lose in this career which feels more like an experiment in eking out a living while paradoxically living the dream.
I lived with that book for so long as a solitary companion, feeding it, whispering to it quietly, and to have it out there in the public domain makes me feel both vulnerable and proud, like a mother parading her newborn. It is my absolute joy and delight to answer each and every email or letter personally.
Recently I read Steve Toltz’s fantastic book A Fraction of The Whole. I loved it so much, I went to his website and sent him some fanmail.
But Steve has obviously not heard of the golden author rule.
Your text goes here
And behold – Tom Robbins answered my letter. I quote his response: Dear Joanne, your kind words found their way to this distant outpost where they caused me some genuine pleasure and I thank you for that. I am sorry I don’t have time for a more adequate response, but I am up to my ears in the smoking juice of the universe. Yours, Tom Robbins.’
This was in the day of real proper letters on writing paper, not email. I still have that precious missive in my pile of precious missives and suchlike.
Tom Robbins
It has taught me that there is one golden rule when you are an author (no matter how busy you are or how far up yourself you are or how bogged down you are in the smoking juice of the universe): ANSWER YOUR FANMAIL.
Things Without A Name has been out for exactly six weeks now, and thank you to everyone who has bought it, read it and especially those of you who have delighted me with emails telling me how much you have loved it. Every time someone bothers to tell me how much they cried, or laughed or just couldn't put it down, I am renewed with a sense of purpose it is so easy to lose in this career which feels more like an experiment in eking out a living while paradoxically living the dream.
I lived with that book for so long as a solitary companion, feeding it, whispering to it quietly, and to have it out there in the public domain makes me feel both vulnerable and proud, like a mother parading her newborn. It is my absolute joy and delight to answer each and every email or letter personally.
Recently I read Steve Toltz’s fantastic book A Fraction of The Whole. I loved it so much, I went to his website and sent him some fanmail.
But Steve has obviously not heard of the golden author rule.
Your text goes here
| 63 |
| Vote |
Shared on
Subscribe to this blog
Comment by Jayne Kearney
Writers In Writing (and other writing)
You are an amazingly generous author. I was one of those fan-mailers you answered and I nearly fell off my chair when you did ( to say nothing of the quivering lips, sweaty palms and heart palpitations). Your generosity is like icing on that sweet, sweet cake of your writing - which touched me enough to prompt my fan-mailing.
I once wrote to Mel Gibson (I was a teenager) prior to his US success. I received an autographed photo in a handwritten envelope. The writing on both was the same. I kept telling everyone, "He wrote on my envelope!" In later years I have wondered if maybe his assistant actually signed the photo.
And BTW "up to my ears in the smoking juice of the universe" - how fabulously fabulous is that? See, words fail me in the shadow of such metaphorical brilliance.
Thanks Jo, from a Fan.
Comment by all-things-autism
Comment by Joanne Fedler
Secret Writers Business
I have made precious friends - and I count you among them, Jayne - in people who have reached out to me.
And yes, I knew for sure Tom Robbins had typed that letter because of that phrase - or, perhaps to be wretched cynic, perhaps he had a stock fan-mail letter that took him ages to script, which he sent out to all his adoring fans. I don't care.
I think as an author, it is one of the greatest gifts when someone writes to you. It is the very least one can do to say thanks.
Jo
Comment by tlcorbin
Coffee Quip
A Global Citizen
Paranormal Paranormal
Is Why
Alaska Chronicle