FFW 2008: Martel, Chabon, Rob Bell

Okay, prepping for interviews is exhausting. Got with Yann Martel this morning and he's a dream interview, and a fun, unpretentious guy. These pix right before his big Baron Lecture with at least 1,100 people in attendance says it all - look at his feet, pointed like a little boy too anxious to be up and about.


Then, when the introductory speaker misspoke & said Life of Pi was his 2nd book, he leapt up, whispered in her ear, held 3 fingers up, then sat down, then jumped back up & whispered some more. Once returned, she corrected herself & said Life of Pi was his 3rd book. Whether it was planned or spontaneous, it was good theatre & epitomized the man, who spent the better part of an hour talking about process of writing the Man Booker Award winning title and how it led him to belief.



Someone remind me to comment on Edward P. Jones vs. Michael Chabon. Jones will either go down as a total crank or a Great One most people missed, while Chabon epitomizes everything society currently believes a cool author must epitomize - a guest shot on The Simpsons (which apparently excited his father more than the Pultizer), clever pop references, perfect wardrobe, & accessible, literate novels who is warring for the re-including genre frameworks into literature. He is the accepted platinum standard at present. I'll be curious to see what history says about both.


The day ended w/Rob Bell giving his first presentation as an author, not a pastor. It was good enough, with fresh stories and metaphors, but not up to his reputation. Though, you know, he's only human and it was his first time.

Fraid that's it for now kids. I've got 3 interviews tomorrow & they're a bear to prepare for I'm afraid. Draining.