September is here, and summer is ending in the northern hemisphere. I’m not sad to see it go, being a lover of Autumn and all that comes with the falling leaves and breezes whispering winter psalms.
It’s the perfect time to gather with friends over mugs to share stories and laughter and quiet moments of happiness. So until our paths cross in person (and I really hope they do), we have this lovely internet for our storytelling and exchanges.
That’s one of the things that I love about Live Journal (as opposed to social networking sites). LJ allows for storytelling–it creates a time and space for expression and revelation and collaboration. Those other sites are great for catching up and sharing news, but for me, LJ is about something a little more substantial, more akin to the dying art of letter writing.
And speaking of lively chats, my interview is up on Between the Lines, a blog that interviews people devoted to literature, from teachers, lawyers, and doctors to academics, novelists, critics — and beyond. Kevin Neilson, a philosopher and unabashed lover of prose fiction, has done a great job rounding up booklovers from different walks of life to probe with fun and provocative questions.
I happen to know that some really fabulous folks are on board to share their love of books and literary insights in the coming weeks.
Check out the site (http://jkneilson.wordpress.com/) and leave a comment so that Kevin knows that you were there and enjoyed the site.
I also invite you to respond to some of the interviews. Truly. If no one responds, it’s a little like standing up in front of a room after a lecture or reading, and being met with silence and blank stares. I taught college Composition and Creative Writing, so I’m no stranger to the blank stares.
😉
Read some of the other interviews, write a note, and stay tuned to more musings about literary passions.
The crickets felt it was their duty to warn everybody that summertime cannot last forever. Even on the most beautiful days in the whole year–the days when summer is changing into fall–the crickets spread the rumor of sadness and change."
zuricrow says:
Summer’s end
I did read and greatly enjoyed your interview, that was so cool! Was it in person, or phone or written interview? I bookmarked it, and will definitely go back and read other interviews. I tried to leave a comment, but it didn’t take for some reason, so I left one at FB where I saw the link.
You are right about LJ. Letter writing is an art that is fast disappearing. I write to my aunt in NJ, a cousin in MN. I love sending and receiving snail mail. To hold it in my hands, see the handwriting, the stationary. And I’m a sucker for Nature stamps. Although I did get the Simpson stamps!
traveler64 says:
Kids debating the merits of calculus? You need an engineer to intervene.
Merits of calculus–nimble up the mind to understand the abstract.
I almost flunked calculus; I am an engineer. Ah, the mysteries of the universe are infinite indeed.
I left a comment at your interview. It indeed challenges my rather lazy mind. You are amazing.
autumnamber says:
Also a lover of autumn (imagine!)
Yes, that’s me: another lover of autumn. The thought came to me as I was reading your entry that perhaps it’s a wee bit sad that the crickets did not feel it was their duty to sing, “Autumn is coming, Autumn is coming, glorious, beautiful Autumn is coming.” Why, oh why, does change have to include rumors of sadness?
Joy and peace,
Autumn Amber
hollyheartfree says:
I LOVED Charllote’s Web. It was one of my most favorite books as a child. And Stuart Little. The Flicka books, anything by Albert Payson Terhune. I don’t often respond to your posts, but need to take time this day to tell you how much I look forward to clicking into LJ and seeing you here. You pose good questions, you make me think.
I’m not a FB person. It’s not something I’m interested in. But LJ hits me differently. I love to read the posts here, to learn not about someone’s tea choice this AM, but more about what they were thinking as they sipped that tea.
charyvna says:
Re: Summer’s end
Thanks! The interview was via email, not in person.
And I’m not the least bit surprised that you’re a letter writer.
🙂
charyvna says:
They weren’t *my* kids debating Calculus!!!
LOL
They were high school kids seated near me at the coffeehouse. And although I took AP Calculus waaay back in high school, I have sadly retained very little. I was able to tune them out rather easily.
😉
charyvna says:
Re: Also a lover of autumn (imagine!)
I think that the crickets would consider themselves creatures of summer, thus their sadness? Perhaps an “autumn” creature (not sure what this would be?) would be a more cheerful herald of the Fall?
charyvna says:
Holly, I enjoy your posts and your replies. I hope that it didn’t sound like I was “fishing” for LJ responses.
This medium is a different animal than the Between the Lines interview.
When I write entries on LJ, sometimes I write them more for myself than for an audience, other times I may have one or two readers in mind, still other times I write to share something with a larger group.
The interviews are a more “public” reading/conversation. Kevin’s questions are intelligent and and provocative, and I think they beg for a response from more than just the person being interviewed.
traveler64 says:
LOL, indeed. I should’ve stopped to consider three very young kids–one not even in school–discussing calculus! That’s what you get for ‘drive-by’ posts.
***walks away shaking head***
Anonymous says:
Interesting interview. It is good to learn something new about a friend and there is always something new here on LJ or one of your links. Thanks for letting us get to know you better!