FFW 2008: Kathleen Norris, Francine Rivers, More

I just returned from the Iron & Wine concert after Bridge to Taribetha author Katherine Patterson's lecture on beauty, the final moment of Calvin College's Festival of Faith and Writing. I have too many new books, too little sleep, & a flight out in the morn.


The funniest line I heard all day I heard at least twice (near the end of 3 days of sessions), "What was your favorite session?" as if I can remember what I attended 1 hour previous, much less evaluate the entire Festival (which runs about 80% female attendees, like most lit stuff).

Got to interview Francine Rivers (big new book coming), Kathleen Norris (3 NY Times bestsellers), & Jeffrey Overstreet, a Christian film critic & essayist, but also had a cool session by Professor Daniel Taylor on "Telling Our Master Stories" (they're the stories we tell ourselves when we start to forget where we came from or when we're in crisis), discovered Haven Kimmel, a former Quaker & was riveted by Norri's "Acedia...Again."


Before there were 7 Deadly Sins there were actually 8 'bad thoughts' (the desert fathers didn't call them sins) & Acedia was the one that didn't make the cut; or more accurately, it was folded into "Sloth" as it defined spiritual indifference. And it just so happens to define today's society almost perfectly. Book coming September 16, 2008!

If you've ever contemplated attending a literary festival, book April 15-16 (?), 2010 now!

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.

Festival of Faith and Writing 2008 - Day 1

Okay, I'm exhausted from a day without breaks. They added "Festival Circles" during dinner, which means small (pre-registered) groups meet on a specific topic (mine is short story), so it was worthwhile, but prevented breaks.

Highlights were the Edward P. Jones (The Known World) interview and Michael Chabon's lecture on "Imaginary Homelands." (Both have won the Pulitzer Prize.) Jones is a legitimate original (in world view) as his deprived childhood & lack of media interaction allowed him to create his own quite original thoughts.

The Known World is set in 1855 Virginia & centers around a n African American owning African American slaves. He feels like historical research is overrated ("If the characters aren't there then" it doesn't matter) & (largely) unnecessary. "The creative part of the brain can't be held back." Later adding, "We know more about the world than we think we do."Give readers good characters and a good story "and you're fine. Readers will believe until they run into the unbelievable."

He also doesn't understand these white male authors who agonize over writing a female or ethnic character. Just care as much about your non-"like you" character as those like you.


Finally, he feels like African Americans with no sense of history - rappers, sports stars - would own African American slaves today, pulling them out with them on their awards shows (instead of the overstylized gold chains, et al) with them because it would be legal. Wow. In essence, people without a sense of history (which is much of America and too many Christians) will do anything legal because they have no sense of consequences or responsibility.

I'll combine tomorrow's Chabon presentation w/the lecture tonight. However, I was impressed that Chabon shook hands with everyone who came up to get a book signed before signing it. Never seen that before, and it was a long line. (I'd estimate 1,000+ at the lecture.)


Right now I have to brush up for an interview with Yann Martel (Live of Pi)! Hooray!

Festival of Faith and Writing 2008

I don’t want to steal Chantell’s thunder (because her post is worth your time), but I need to update everyone.

This Thursday through Saturday, April 17-19 I’ll be attending the Festival of Faith and Writing at Calvin College in Grand Rapids , MI. I’ve requested interviews with Pulitzer Prize-winner Michael Chabon, Mann Booker Award-winner Yann Martel, Christian favorite Francine Rivers, and the Bridge of Terabitha author, among others. No word back yet, but I'm hopeful.

So in lieu of my usual earth-shattering post, I’ll be reporting daily from the conference to give you the latest in faith-based writing news.

If you've never attended a literary festival, put this one on your calendar for 2010 (it's bi-annual), as they've always got fascinating programming.

Festival 2006 coverage can be read here, here, and here.