Monday, October 30, 2006
Writers on Parade
So this morning, while Robin Roberts of Good Morning America was interviewing Nicholas Sparks, it hit me. Writers are not actors. They don't really fare so well in front of the camera, especially the ones that have not crossed over into movie versions. In the past month or so, I've seen Roberts interview Danielle Steele, Stephen King, and this morning's guest, author of The Notebook, one of my favorite movies.
Per my previous post on the Steele interview (click on her name above), a writers voice in words can be much different than a writer's vocal intonations. No one would ever call Danielle Steele's writing understated or wallflower-like, but that's certainly how she comes across in person.
Nicholas Sparks, however, was eloquent and amicable, perhaps even more so than Roberts herself (but I'm biased). Several of his books have been made into successful movies, as have Stephen King's (although I don't know that anyone could call King's look heartwarming and friendly).
It's interesting to see that the PR machine for books places the writer into a different world (TV appearances) when the PR machine for performers lets them pretty much do what they do naturally. Obviously any PR requires face time, but rarely do performers have to write their own takes on their films or albums - they just get interviewed and a writer does it for them. Writers on the other hand, can't just write about their books to get the media excited - we're a visual culture.
There are, of course, plenty of writers who are absolutely charming in person (anyone who knows me knows - j/k), but it just goes to show writing a best seller is more than just letting your fingers do the talking.
Per my previous post on the Steele interview (click on her name above), a writers voice in words can be much different than a writer's vocal intonations. No one would ever call Danielle Steele's writing understated or wallflower-like, but that's certainly how she comes across in person.
Nicholas Sparks, however, was eloquent and amicable, perhaps even more so than Roberts herself (but I'm biased). Several of his books have been made into successful movies, as have Stephen King's (although I don't know that anyone could call King's look heartwarming and friendly).
It's interesting to see that the PR machine for books places the writer into a different world (TV appearances) when the PR machine for performers lets them pretty much do what they do naturally. Obviously any PR requires face time, but rarely do performers have to write their own takes on their films or albums - they just get interviewed and a writer does it for them. Writers on the other hand, can't just write about their books to get the media excited - we're a visual culture.
There are, of course, plenty of writers who are absolutely charming in person (anyone who knows me knows - j/k), but it just goes to show writing a best seller is more than just letting your fingers do the talking.
# posted by ange : 1:40 PM
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