Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Armchair BEA: Inspiring Authors!

In honor of Armchair BEA this week, I have decided to take a bit of a spin on the author highlight suggestion . . . well, at least, it is my attempt at being creative!  I have had two different authors that have had an impact on me, each with a little different effect.  I am going to go into fangirl mode here and write each of them a personal letter.  Bear with me, humor me, and enjoy!!
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Dear Mr. King, 

Many, many years ago, I was going through some dark times . . . it was one of those dark teen years that you are actually pretty darn good at writing about!  I'm talking about those years where the menial things will bring the end of the world . . . everyone, particularly your parents, are out to get you . . . blah, blah, blah!  To you, it is probably just another one of your characters . . . been there, done that!

To me, it was dark times!  I submerged myself in all things dark . . . and that included me picking up one of your very books.  In fact, it was the one that I still consider to be your best work today . . . The Stand!  You wrote characters that I could completely relate to, ones that I fell in love with, and ones that I have had such strong feelings of disgust and even hate towards.  It was this very book that began my reading adventures in the more adult world . . . . and I have not turned back yet!

You may be wondering what the point of this very letter is all about.  You may not even read it with all your many, many pieces of fan mail.  BUT, whatever the case may be, I want to say thank you!  Thank you for exploring the dark side, for making me feel more human because of it, and being my reliable one that I can turn to when those times tend to recur again and again.  I appreciate your morbidity!  I appreciate your willingness to go where others may not or dare not!  And, as scary as some of your literary moments may be, I can say that it all has helped me stay grounded.  And, those little things that used to be menial . . . yep, I tend to be a little more grateful for them!  Afterall, I do not have visions of little red eyes, hear the words "redrum, redrum, redrum" repeated in my mind or in my dreams.  Heck, after the life of those like Trashcan Man or Georgie, I've got a lot to be thankful for!!

Until we meet again in the folds of another book, 




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Dear Ms. Rowling, 

Almost ten years ago, I picked up a paperback that featured a boy with a lightening scar on the front cover, thanks to a recommendation from one of my good friends, K.  In fact, she was one of my bridesmaids that year!  That's right!  It was the year I got married!

Why am I writing to you about the year of my marriage?  Well, it is very simple . . . One of my favorite memories from my honeymoon was reading your very first book and the start of a world-wide phenomena, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone!  When you wrote this book, your target audience was for children. Who knew that this brilliance would cause the words . . . "Are you going to talk to me on our honeymoon or are you just going to have that nose stuck in your book?"  That's right!!  I fell for that book the minute I opened it, and not even my honeymoon on the gorgeous Oregon coast was going to deter me from putting it down!  Thankfully, my husband already knew the kind of woman he was marrying!

That year was not just the year that I was wedded to my best friend.  It was also the year that I discovered my ultimate comfort read.  It was the beloved Harry, Ron, and Hermoine that opened my eyes to the world of fantasy and young adult books once again!  The wonderful world of Hogwarts, Hogsmeade, and Platform Nine and Three Quarters not only got kids excited about reading again, but it also revived this "grown-up."  And since that warm summer in 2000, I have locked on to my man and my multiple sets of your fantasy land! It was a summer to remember!!

Though your famous series has come to an end, the story will live on . . . and I cannot wait to share it with my own children!  Who knew that Y2K would bring so much into my life?!?!  I think I owe you a butterbeer!

Awaiting my next magical read, 



Photo Courtesy:  J.K. Rowling & Stephen King

9 comments:

  1. What a fun idea! I love it.

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  2. I love the idea, as there are so many authors that have inspired me in different ways!

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  3. Great idea - I especially liked your letter to JKR! I know way more adults who love Harry Potter than kids, actually.

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  4. Awesome! Someday I will write a fan letter to Suzanne Collins. Because I loved Hunger Games. Oh so much!

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  5. I may have to steal this idea and write some fan letters too.

    Melina

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  6. Fun post! It's good that your husband knew he married a reader :-). When we were on our honeymoon, I dragged my husband into at least a couple bookstores (and didn't leave emptyhanded)!

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  7. love your post. great way to send love to fave authors!

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  8. I LOVE the HP books, so I totally relate to your letter to JKR. I haven't read SK though, but I can relate to your letter to him. Such a fantastic idea!!

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  9. Suey . . . Thanks! I had fun with it!!

    Felicia the Geeky Blogger . . . Thank you! I would love to hear which authors have inspired you!!

    Florinda . . . Me too!!! I totally love the stories and cannot wait to pass them on to my kids. Just hope they like it as much as I do!! :)

    Emily . . . Me too!!!! I cannot wait for Mockingjay in August!!

    Melina . . . Oh please do!! When you do, please let me know!! I want to read them!

    Valerie . . . I've done the same with my hubby many times!! Thankfully, he even will help out with the kids, so I can get some uninterrupted shopping done!

    Zxero Nothing . . . Thank you! Would be even better if they actually responded!! LOL!!

    Aths . . . Thank you!! Did you know that King actually recommends Rowling's books too?!?! :)

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