Wednesday, October 20, 2010

On David Sedaris, dirty jokes and the craft of writing

Last night was a good night.

Charles and I had tickets to a David Sedaris reading (if you don't know him, he's a humorist/satirist who writes essays for his own books, The New Yorker and NPR). We were excited - our seats were in the front-front row (AA). We'd be so close, we could see up his nose!

One of Zoe's ex-teachers came over to babysit since my mom is out of town and it went...surprisingly well! I expected tears, I got kisses. I expected drama, I got a rousing game of Ring Around the Rosie. It was fabulous.

So Charles and I managed to sneak away early - we arrived at the Performing Arts Center at 6:30 for a 7:30 show. We sat, drank wine, ate popcorn and people-watched, and had a nice, quiet 45 minutes.

When we stood up to head into the auditorium, we saw Sedaris himself walk by, which was so exciting. I love getting to see people I admire, up close and personal. We decided to hover around the book-signing table, in case he did a pre-reading signing, and HE DID! And we were first in line! HOORAY!

He was absolutely lovely, and laughed when we told him we wanted him to sign the book to Zoe, our two-year-old. "One day she'll love you as much as we do," I promised, sounding absolutely like a fan-girl.

Sedaris predicted a second child for us (a girl in 2012 - I politely laughed and shook my head) and then signed the book: To Zoe, You're such a baby. David Sedaris.

Dude's even funny off-the-cuff - totally impressive.

The reading began, and he was excellent, as always. I love how he reads his essays - something about the tone and cadence of his voice feels very soothing to me. He took a break from essays to delve into dirty jokes, to much applause and laughter. It always sounds so funny to hear his sweet little voice being so raunchy.

He talked about a book he's recommending while on tour - Wells Tower's Everything Ravaged, Everything Burned. Charles bought it when it first came out but I haven't read it...yet.

But it was when he talked about WHY he was recommending it that I really got interested. He read a few passages, calling out why he liked bits and pieces, why he found it so surprising and engaging. One was as simple as having the words "mouse" and "coupon" in the same sentence - a surprising and apparently pleasing combination to his ears. To think that people pay so much attention to your choice and placement of words - it was something to think about.

He also referenced, with regards to his own writing, reading pieces out loud during the editing process, and it was like a light bulb flashed on over my head.

DUH. I know this. I used to do it all the time, but I've gotten away from it in recent years, due either to laziness or self-consciousness. But really, how else can you find the perfect words that flow into your sentences, than to read it out loud? It kills me now, that I sent an essay off to a writing contest without ever. Once. Reading it out loud.

Ugh.

But still, I was so appreciative of seeing Sedaris (and no, we could not actually see up his nose). I love his attitude and his politics (his two references to Prop 8 almost had me on my feet, laughing and clapping enthusiastically), and mostly, I love his writing. His craft.

He's brilliant.

2 comments:

  1. David Sedaris: Witty guy. "You're such a baby." Heh =)

    Wells Tower: That guy's been on my radar for a few years, ever since I read the title story in an anthology. I was so excited when I saw he had a book out! Let me know how it is.

    Reading out loud: If we ever do another swap we're going to send each other the text PLUS an mp3 of the story/essay being read out loud. Yes we are.

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  2. Sounds like an incredible night! Great posting Leah. xo

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