I'm relatively new here. I joined a number of months ago and then, rather suddenly, got cut off from the Internet.
The reason for this post is essentially to let off a little steam. It might sound odd, but I've found it easier to do this with people I've never met than with those I'm close to.
So, to get to the point (which, I'm sure, is not particularly interesting - yes, this post is beginning well!): I've decided that I want to drive to Chicago in September to go to a signing by Neil Gaiman. I told my dad that, once I reach central Illinois for school, I'll drive up to Chicago and spend a day at a bookstore.
At any rate, what followed was a twenty or so minute lecture of spending money properly. Being a normal college student, I'm pretty poor (actually, I've noticed most college students seem to be unhealthily rich!), so saving up will be my only option. What gets me, though, is that no matter what I say, I can't seem to get my dad (who love reading) to understand that I would be willing to spend money to see a favourite author.
Admittedly, once I see a favourite author of mine, nothing in my life will change. I doubt that I will say more than a few words to an author at a signing, so I wont get any real insight into the author as a person - but going to a book signing is still exciting.
I am frustrated.
To end, my post doesn't really have much of a point other than to complain. But I like to complain every now and then; hopefully you people wont mind too much.
Posts: 367 | Registered: Apr 2004
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Isn't Gaiman stopping in Champaign this time out? He usually swings through Urbana on those of his tours that hit Illinois.
Posts: 37449 | Registered: May 1999
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His website lists Naperville as the only Illinois stop. Don't know if that means it's true or not, though.
Posts: 367 | Registered: Apr 2004
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Is there any person (or type of person) your father would understand going to see? If so you could draw parallels; if not, probably not much point.
I go to see authors for lots of reasons. Sometimes it's just to meet them, to see what sort of person creates such things. Sometimes it's to get one of their works personalized to me, something that's come to mean a lot to me. Sometimes it's to hear the author speak -- and Gaiman is one of the best for that, by the way, wonderful storyteller with an inexhaustable supply of stories.
But always, always when I go it's to show support for the author, to show him or her that there are faces behind the numbers who appreciate those long, lonely hours behind a keyboard. I always try to buy something when I'm at a signing, even if I brought things with me, to show support and to encourage the bookstore (or whatever) to keep doing these signings.
Posts: 7790 | Registered: Aug 2000
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I take it the only money actually being spent here would be gas & food for the trip, and probably a book to have him sign? That isn't really so much paying to see an author as it is paying for a roadtrip, and roadtripping is an essential part of college.
quote: Admittedly, once I see a favourite author of mine, nothing in my life will change.
It might. Particularly if you're at all interested in becoming one youself, it can be very inspiring to talk to a successful author even briefly.
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