<a href=”http://www.offbeat.com/artman/publish/article_1264.shtml”_blank”>Davis Rogan</a>, a favorite musician and songwriter, introduced me to this expression, generally translated as the wit of the staircase. These are the things we think to say too late. In this case, it’s not a lost opportunity for wit, but a missed chance at candor that bothers me. I was asked Monday night if I chose to use a real-life inspiration for WTDK because I thought it would help me sell more books.
As a longtime reporter, I was always amused by people who believed that certain stories — usually stories they disliked — were printed because they helped to sell papers. You know what sells papers? The sports section, the comics, horoscopes, certain columnists. Newspapers across the country are putting less energy into investigative reporting, based on recent reports at <a href=”http://www.poynter.org/column.asp?id=45″ target=”_blank”>Romenesko</a>, and I doubt a single reader has phoned in to protest. But let a newspaper drop, say, Rex Morgan M.D., and see what happens.
This question left me especially nonplussed because part of my book talk on this tour concerns how difficult it is for most of us to have true empathy for the victims of crime. I often speak of the Missouri case, the dual kidnapping uncovered only a few months ago, and the <a href=”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZLgSJ7v3Fw” target=”_blank”>hateful things</a> that were said about the boy who had the misfortune to be held by his captor for several years. I talk about the human need to disengage from stories that are too close for comfort, the way we all read or listen to news accounts looking for the detail that allows us to believe that we are safe, that life isn’t as terrifyingly random as it is. (“I would never go to that neighborhood after dark.” “I would never let me child ride his bike to school.” That kind of thing.) I also stress the difference, in my mind, of being inspired by a real-life story and basing a novel on one.
Here’s what I wish I had said: “If I were to choose a real-life story in order to spike sales, I think I would pick one in an area where I don’t sell so well, not my home state of Maryland.”
Ah well, it’s good for me to be nonplussed these days. The cold roars on and, for two nights running, I’ve managed to croak my way through presentations only to have a spectacular blow-out as the hour draws to a close. Today will be especially challenging — class at Goucher and a booksigning/talk at Politics & Prose. If my voice doesn’t get better soon, I might start seeking audience volunteers to read passages from the book.
Having audience members read from the book could be kind of cool. A new way to get audience participation.
When you come to Ann Arbor, if you’re still having problems with your voice, I can bring puppets and have them give a dramatic reading from WTDK.
I would fly to Ann arbor to see that.
Unrelated, but I do like the <a href=”http://www.citypaper.net/articles/2007/03/29/the-lost-girls”>fair play turnabout</a> here.
Speaking of esprit d’escalier, right after I left P & P tonight, I thought I should have gone to the mike and said, “Is it true you are on the NYT best seller list?”
Terrific talk, Laura, and good turn out. I enjoyed myself, as did the others, I heard upon leaving.
Laura, feel better! Sleep as much as possible; it is the most amazing cure.
While you have a lovely voice and are a talented reader of your own prose, it might actually be cool to invite a bookseller from the store to read in place of you. Could create a memorable moment that will forever bring your books to the front of that store. (Is that cynical of me to say?)
See you tonight at P&P — I am bringing new converts
I happen to be staying with a friend around the corner from P&P, so I’ll be there tonight, with at least one convert in tow.
Bryon – we might have some Rocky & Bullwinkle hand puppets. Do you suppose you might be able to use those?
Sarah – thanks for the link to that interview. Seventeen, huh? It explains the stuff about the purse (oh but I remember those, though it was earlier for them in Hartford I recall – Hartford, cutting edge of fashion trends).
… I must remember to ask them what you are really like
And here’s me grilling Duane.
<a href=”http://www.lauralippman.com/nov06.html” target=”_blank”>Blonde on Blonde</a>
I love the notion of esprit d’escalier, that ten-seconds-too-late bon mot that I wish I had come up with. I think that’s why I write: to do it better in fiction than it was in real life.
And taking inspiration from a true story “because it would help you sell more books?” Hogwash. I imagine that you selected the nugget of that story because it touched you. And the reason it sells more books is that it is an important story, well-told.
I’d crawl on my hands and knees over barbed wire and broken glass to Ann Arbor to see the puppet theatre and Bryon’s dramatic reading.