Literary Adventures: Reading With Robin

From Kate's Writing Crate...

          Last year, Cheryl suggested we start going on Literary Adventures--to book and writing-related events--at least monthly. We realized we had made a lot of author connections writing for local magazines. Through the years, we had both also written about the Reading With Robin radio show hosted by Robin Kall on 920 AM WHJJ at 7am on Saturday mornings.

          Robin Kall is on the ultimate Literary Adventure. She loves to read and wanted to talk to and share news about authors she enjoys with other readers. About ten years ago, Robin started her radio show where she interviews authors from across the country. These conversations are fun and insightful. This show is a terrific place to discover new authors and learn more about the ones you love.

          Friendly, outgoing, and civic-minded, Robin then started hosting An Evening with Authors events benefiting the Love, Carol Foundation which was set up by Robin and her sisters to honor their mother who died from breast cancer. The proceeds help families deal with the ravages of breast cancer in their lives.

          Robin has been very gracious to invite Cheryl and me to many events including the An Evening with Authors, Reading Across Rhode Island breakfast to celebrate Caleb's Crossing by Geraldine Brooks, and the New England Independent Booksellers Association (NEIBA) breakfast and convention as well as asking us to be guests on her radio show with author Maryann McFadden. Turns out Cheryl is a natural on air. Amazing the things you learn on adventures with a person you thought you knew.

          We sat next to authors at breakfast and learned that Elin Hilderbrand, author of Summerland and many others, writes her books longhand in notebooks a hundred pages at a time then types them into her computer. J. Courtney Sullivan, author of Maine, types her books with only her left index finger.

          Turns out many authors are quite funny--Chris Bohjalian, Amanda Eyre Ward, and Elizabeth Berg to name a few--but the reigning champion of hilarity is Adriana Trigiani. At yet another event hosted by Robin Kall, Cheryl and I expected a reading from Adriana's latest book and a Q&A with the audience. Instead, it was non-stop laughing as she recounted her childhood and incidents including her large extended family members. If Adriana is speaking anywhere near you, attend the event. You won't be sorry!

          When we aren't at a "Robin event", Cheryl and I attend book readings, signings, and events at local bookstores and libraries, or meet for lunch to discuss our writing projects and the books we are reading. The waitresses join in the discussion sharing their favorite books with us as well.

          Then we started this blog--just for fun and for a writing deadline. It is a wonderful outlet to share our adventures, experiences, and love of reading and writing.

 

                                   GREAT ADVICE! If you are looking to
                                   live a literary life, Carolyn See offers
                                   writers suggestions, tips, and insights
                                   in her book from her years of
                                  experience as a novelist, memoirist,
                                  critic, and creative-writing professor.
                                  Having a like-minded literary friend
                                  makes attending events easier and
                                  more fun, but the more timid among
                                  us can start right away, as I did, with
                                  Making a Literary Life.

          It is fun to follow your bliss, meet kindred spirits, learn, laugh, and live a literary life. Give it a try!


What are your favorite Literary Adventures?

Listen to Reading With Robin on 920 AM WHJJ from 7-8am Saturdays or anytime by visiting www.920whjj.com.