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I must congradulate you on your visit to the Free Library of Philadelphia. On behaf of me and my parents(little sister not included) your lecture/speech was great(being that your were late, but anticapation builds a crowd). O, your wife handled your latness perfectly. I was a little disapointed how the Library kinda rushed us out when i'm sure many other people(including myself) wanted to ask you more questions. You have a very origanl signacture, lots of swirls and tirls. Over all it was enjoyable to meet the maker of such wonderfull books, and i hope the rest of your tour goes as planned, and your Book is excellent so far.
Sincerely, Logan *you may remember me, not to sure because of your "Memory". I sat infront of the American Flag on the right side of the audiotiruim kinda diagnally behind your wife. And you hopefully remember my Bookmark. "Reading Impedes The Persistance Of Stupidity."*
Posts: 262 | Registered: Jan 2005
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Indeed i must do the same. I saw Mr.Card In New York, New York and it was(dare i say) a bucket of monkeys
Posts: 17 | Registered: Jan 2005
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I met him at the Free Library also, and he was a total class act! He was very funny! It's rare when you meet someone and they live up to the image you have built up in your mind. Mr. Card not only lived up to that image (and considering I am in awe of him for all his writings that is a major accomplishment) he actually surpassed them. I want to thank him for all of his hard work, and for a great speech!!!
Posts: 1918 | Registered: Mar 2005
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You're very kind. But I'm keenly aware that when people come to signings, they're really hoping to meet Ender or Bean or Alvin or Peter. Not an aging guy who types for a living. So it's gracious of you to put such a good face on fundamental disappointment.
Posts: 2005 | Registered: Jul 1999
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Gee, I should gloat about the time I met OSC at Ricks College (now BYU-Idaho) when he came and spoke to our creative writing class back in '91. We actually chatted afterwards about various things.
At that time I hadn't read any of his books--but now that I'd real some since, I realize I didn't appreciate the moment as much as I should have.
Life is a lot like that, isn't it?
Posts: 325 | Registered: Dec 2004
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Still waiting down here in Texas.. I think the point OSC makes above is very interesting. When some people meet music, movie or TV stars, I imagine they think they're meeting who that person portrays. I worked in radio here for many years, and meeting someone in person is always interesting. It's really fascinating for me to see how tall they really are - LeVar Burton is not one *scrap* taller than me, and I'm 5'2". He has one helluva personality tho. I would like to meet OSC (even at something as simple as a book signing) to get a glimpse of the person behind the characters. Meeting someone will definitely change your opinion of them and their work, even when you think it won't. I met a particular country music songstress who was a complete brat, rude and snotty. I haven't liked her music since. I have a friend I work with occasionally who met OSC at a sci-fi con and told me I'd be better off not meeting him since he was rude. Knowing my friend, he may well have provoked that!! I'd rather make my own call.
sorry - I'm rambling becuase I'm trying to avoid work... Posts: 262 | Registered: Jun 2004
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Great now I want to meet him even more. Doesn't help he's the only sci-fi writer still alive whoes books I love, and Hubbard... well... I liked his books but the mission earth series was weird, Battlefield Earth was good.
Posts: 1567 | Registered: Oct 2004
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Mr.Card, can't you just tour libraries and books stores like once a year or something. Not to sound threatining or anything, but why must your fans and readers wait until you release a book. I'm sure you live a busy life(outside of playing centipede and doing your religious and family activies), but once a year, do what your doing now(your sotg tour). Though i'm sure your publisher is sponsering this tour, you can always tell them that you'll sell your books there or something. And i'm sure seeing all of your fans and hearing all of there compliments is just thrilling for you, so mabye give it a thought?
Posts: 262 | Registered: Jan 2005
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He is sticking to the East coast for his tour for now it seems :-( Maybe hell release mroe dates...arorund michigan hopefully;-P it is a big dream of mine..
if need be ill pay for frist class there and back hotel in a 5 star and rent you a ferrari just come to michigan (im sure theres fans who WOULD help)
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DP, I would much rather that OSC lead a normal, happy life with a family he loves dearly -- and occasionally turn out a book he wants and feels motivated to write -- than feel obligated to truck across the country meeting strangers who not only think they know him because they've identified with his fictional characters but suffer from a semi-conscious belief that he is in some way obligated to them for their high opinion of his work.
Do you demand that Robin Williams do stand-up in Tulsa, Oklahoma, once a year? Surely he has fans in Tulsa who've never had the opportunity to meet with him.
OSC's a great guy, and we're lucky he's writing stuff. I'm willing to spend a bit of my hard-earned money to purchase many of the fruits of his hard-earned labor, and I'm often interested enough in his writing process to really appreciate the hints and tips he drops here at Hatrack (and at signings). But Hatrack isn't -- and shouldn't be -- a major part of the guy's life. Neither should signings. If they're more than grueling marketing chores, great -- but tours often are exhausting, and frequently take writers away not only from their writing but from the really important things.
He doesn't owe that to us. And, frankly, I think it's unfair of us to ask.
Posts: 37449 | Registered: May 1999
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If anyone, and I mean anyone, puts themself out into the public sector, they are now my private puppet. And I am offended when they don't bother to come to Podunk, ND and allow me to stand for three hours for a bit of a scribbly and forced conversation.
And, let's not forget, I'll hear about their personal life and/or political views while in line and make DARN sure to fume about it and refuse to ever read/watch/listen to his/her/its work ever again. Because, you know, if our God doesn't think just like me, he must be a false one.
"Dance, puppet, DANCE, and at least ACT like you LIKE it. I didn't say you could sag there and look sad, I want some sizzle from my steak and all you're giving me is tofu!"
posted
I'm just glad people still want me to show up now and then.
There IS a connection between time spent at home and the number of books I complete. I need long, uninterrupted blocks of time in order to write something substantive (if fiction can be called that).
And there are things I want to do for the sheer love of it. Like directing plays (an expensive hobby!) and teaching classes.
As to only touring when a new book comes out, here's the obvious linkage: When a new book comes out, my publisher PAYS FOR ME TO TRAVEL. Flights, rental cars, hotels. It costs THOUSANDS of dollars to show up in faraway cities, and frankly, I couldn't afford it. So I only do tours when my publisher thinks it worthwhile to pay for it.
Even then, the only reason I still do tours, after having announced (and sincerely meant) that I would never do another, is because my publishers have taken steps to make it something other than the grueling event it normally has to be. When possible, they pay for Kristine to come along with me for all or part of a tour. So I'm not entirely cut off from real life.
But honestly, if I could choose between doing book signings, in whatever city you might name, and being home to be part of my daughter's life and the life of the little village I live in, how could I possibly choose the signings? I enjoy each signing while I'm doing it, but not the travel in between, and not the being away from home for days on end.
Also, I'm getting old. I start getting sick at the beginning of each trip. I can feel it in the back of my throat and my sinuses almost as soon as I arrive at the first destination. I used to take Sudafed until I realized that I actually react to repeated doses of Sudafed by actually getting MORE of a runny nose.
But some of you have seen me fighting off sneezes or blowing my nose. What you don't see is the sore throat from the constant changes of air quality, the headaches, the sleeplessness, the bloat that comes from not getting exercise, and the caged-bird feeling from not having days in which I can choose what I want to do.
On this tour, I had taken Civilization off my computer (I really did, finally, after all these years, get tired of playing it); and so I actually signed on Hatrack and started joining in the conversation. It was my way of winding down.
So thanks for providing me with my relaxation therapy.
Posts: 2005 | Registered: Jul 1999
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I had a great time with your visit and I wished I had time to post more. I rarely log on to Hatrack at work but I found myself checking new messages the last couple of weeks. I missed your signing this time around but there is always next time, I hope. It seems Atlanta (not downtown) is not one of the cities your publisher selects. I hope Ashville will be back on your schedule.
Have a safe and wonderful trip to Wellington!
Thank you for dropping by.
Posts: 333 | Registered: Feb 2002
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I often wonder what kind of director you are. Are you really intense or laid back? Do your actors still like you after the show? Do you tell actors to interpret their characters and then refine these interpretations, or do you tell them exactly how you want each line enunciated? Do you block every motion on the stage, or only the main parts? I wonder what it would be like to work with you.
I have a couple of directors that I've worked with more than once. One is really laid back (he mostly does straight plays, as opposed to musicals, although he will be directing 1776 this summer), and one is really intense (he only does musicals). They are both pretty good at what they do. The intense guy might, in the end, get a better performance. But man, you don't have a lot of fun getting there! (And, of course, he's the one directing me in Man of La Mancha--one of my dream shows, but that's another story--right now.)
Posts: 13680 | Registered: Mar 2002
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quote: And I am offended when they don't bother to come to Podunk, ND and allow me to stand for three hours for a bit of a scribbly and forced conversation
I think it says something that when I read this my first thought was just delight that someone had thought to mention North Dakota as a midwestern state that they wouldn't force someone to visit
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Did you tell them you were skipping an OSC signing to be at the first interview? That would've let me know how sincere your interest was in the job, and I probably would've hired you on the spot.
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well, I'd just like to say that after reading OSC's response, that we, as fans are (and bloodywell BETTER be) appreciative of the time you do take away from the fam to appease us. Even if I never get to see you, knowing that you will occasionally venture out and endure the travel, the snot, the hotel air and so on means something. I wonder how many people thought about those aspects before you wrote it all down for us. I know I didn't...
Posts: 262 | Registered: Jun 2004
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I'm seriously pissed that DP is still posting. Hasn't he admitted to being Bean Counter and fabricating service in Iraq? Why do we allow people like this to post here? I may not be Mr. Sunshine, but at least I don't hide behind some pathetic facade.
Posts: 4753 | Registered: May 2002
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Primal, I know BC was accused of being DP. Something about a post signed BC posted by DP. Is that fairly definitive? I've been avoiding responding to BC (among others) because I have doubts about their sincerity. And in BC's case, he's a total wimp in an a debate, always dragging out "dog ate my homework" pitiful excuses for exposition. Why argue with idiots?
Posts: 6316 | Registered: Jun 2003
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If you stop doing signings, I'll have to break down and move to Greensboro. I can live in the dumpster behind the Barnes and Noble. I won't mind. Being that close to a bookstore would be heaven, and occasionally, I could see you pass on the street. *snickers*
I was actually at a signing on the last tour before you announced that you wouldn't be doing anymore, up here in Milford, NH. I was so grateful to be able to meet you. I -know- you don't remember me, because most people don't...I have that kind of face, but I will never forget the meeting. I told you that Pastwatch: The Redemption of Christopher Columbus was my favorite book, and you responded that you were pleased to hear it, because you thought it was your best technically written sci-fi novel.
Seriously, as long as you keep doing tours, I'll keep coming out to them when they come near me (thank goodness I live on the east coast!), and when you -do- finally stop, I won't complain at all. Posts: 24 | Registered: Dec 2003
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I was at the non-signing day of the Booksone (that was it, right?) sort of convention... But I still managed to get a signature. You might remember me as the speechless short one... with the sister who loved Enchantment.
It was really great to be able to meet you.
Posts: 9 | Registered: Mar 2005
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Icarus: I direct actors according to what they're able to do.
I block closely, because that's how I establish the visual rhythm and comic timing of a show. I expect the actors to follow the blocking strictly, though I accept proposed changes if there's a reason. But if the blocking changes, then I usually have to reblock all the surrounding movements, because the rhythm will be different.
Once the show is blocked, however, I watch the actor to see what he or she can do. Actors with great creativity who try to amplify their character and have the chops to add, I give them their head and basically make small suggestions and occasionally, when needed, reign them in.
But actors who are over their head, trying to stretch themselves in a part they really don't have the confidence or skill for (yet), I teach, using directing as a means of helping them acquire the skills they need and learn how to do something new.
And actors who refuse direction, I simply don't direct. I can help an actor give his or her best performance, but not if they aren't willing to do what I ask. Such unwilling actors I back away from and then direct around them, helping everybody else do their best and letting the reluctant ones do whatever they're capable of on their own.
As for actors who are damaging to other actors, constantly trying to top them or put them down in order to be the Alpha Actor of the play - I kick them out, because the poison they bring to a play is far more damaging than any amount of talent or skill can compensate for.
The interesting thing is that even though these differences are clearly visible to outsiders, actors are usually so insecure they have no idea which of these I'm doing WITH THEM. <grin> It's in the nature of the art. When your own voice and body and brush and canvas, it's hard to really comprehend the palette and strokes ...
One promise I make to ALL my actors: I will never let you go onstage in a bad show, or giving a bad performance. If I can't help you get up to a level of polish, if not of genius, then I would rather cancel a show.
Posts: 2005 | Registered: Jul 1999
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I was abducted by my father and law and forced to get fitted for a tux.
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OSC
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Couldn't resist.
