I love the wisdom of Marcus Aurelius even though, like the rest of us, he didn’t always live by his inspirational words. However, since Beyond Time is about a woman who after suffering amnesia only recalls past lives which bridges centuries, I thought the following quote by the Roman Emperor apt.
”Live not one’s life as though one had a thousand years, but live each day as the last.”
I mentioned that a couple of weekends ago I would be attending the James River Writers’ Conference at The Library of Virginia and hoped to interview or at least to talk to the wildly successful author, David Baldacci.
However, as soon as he finished his talk the author was whisked off the stage, not to be seen again. (Well, I mean I didn’t see him). Thought I clarify that as it sounded a bit like a theme for one of his books -author gives talk - whisked off stage - never to be seen again -rival publisher becomes prime suspect.
Baldacci was as comfortable as an old shoe most probably heightened by the fact he was talking to a hometown audience. He was most entertaining talking about the price of fame and the experiences it brings forth.
Such as the story he tells on himself traveling through an airport and bumping into an avid fan who was so engrossed in reading one of his books he was oblivious to the massive crowds jostling him physically. This evoked such curiosity on Baldacci’s part he decided to break one of his cardinal rules of never intruding or introducing himself. This guy though was in a different world, and he wanted to know more so ee started a conversation asking him about what he was reading. Avid reader ignores him. When author persists, avid reader throws him an annoyed glance and returns to reading.
“You don’t understand, I’m the author!” Baldacci informed with a winning grin. Avid reader perhaps thinking he is dealing with a wacko, tells him to basically buzz off.
“No, no, you really don’t understand!” persists author” and then flips over the book, displaying author’s face on the back cover. Now sullen, avid reader finally and reluctantly compares photo with persistent author live in front of him, and finally consents to an amused, albeit embarassed smile.
However, the best part of his talk was that he contradicted the usual advice to a writer to “write about what you know.’
“Write what you’re curious about.”
Fantastic advice Isn’t it? Isn’t everyone curious about something? And a writer is lucky, he can go around interviewing anybody who’s an acknowledtged expert on the subject and find out stuff from the horse’s mouth.
Do this and you’ll soon find yourself getting excited by new doors opening to you and learning at the same time which is the greatest joy of all.
Can you think of anything more cool?
So, is there truly life somewhere out there? Curious? Well, which one of us is going to get to it first?