I'm still riding on a high from the event with Sophie Raworth last weekend - though I can't believe it's only a week ago.
I've had some lovely comments from people saying how much they enjoyed it and were delighted that Sophie was as warm and friendly as she comes across on television. Her writing is similarly as engaging and inspiring, so I hope everyone will enjoy reading 'Running on Air'.
There was no need for Sophie to read a passage from her book at the event. She could draw on all her memories and anecdotes in our conversation and it was nicer, on this occasion, to have her spontaneity in speech rather than reading.
But I've been to a couple of author events recently where authors have been asked to share something of their writing and, instead of reading from the pages of their books, they've recited lengthy passages.
This last week I went to see Melissa Harrison talk about her new novel 'The Given World' where she spoke from one of the chapters and earlier in the month I heard Ashley Hickson-Lovence deliver a number of passages from his book 'About to Fall Apart' all from memory.
Is this a new trend? i think both of these authors have been reciting their earlier books, so perhaps not. And perhaps it won't be too widespread, as it's quite a skill and risks being another pressure to bear on authors already out of their comfort zone, plucked from their solitary desk to a theatre audience.*
It's impressive though, isn't it? These days we don't even have to remember a phone number and facts and figures are all available with a few clicks on a screen. But being able to recall verses of poetry or passages of prose, drawing on meaningful quotes or words of wisdom, all still has its place, doesn't it? Not only does it keep our brains active and agile, but having these words ingrained in us, to be recalled almost instinctively is a powerful tool which builds resilience, confidence and perspective.
Thank you for reading.
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