Comments on: Reynald’s Rap: Lance Reynald chats with Heather McElhatton

By: john w mc elhatton _

john w mc elhatton _ — Sat, 07 Jul 2007 16:57:21 +0000

How interesting to see people enjoying, I was the monkey!

By: Alexander Chee

Alexander Chee — Sun, 13 May 2007 17:39:25 +0000

I can’t wait to try it, actually.

The bit about receding horizons is dead on. Also the advice about avoiding stapler-throwing. Congratulations again, Heather. Loaded, huge hint: Is there a PLM podcast series in your future?

By: Terry

Terry — Sat, 12 May 2007 16:34:37 +0000

Sorry, Lance. Your comments were getting tossed into the SPAM box. I have a feeling the SPAM checker sees lines that start without capitalization followed by sentences that do start with capitalization and says, “oh, SPAM.” Let us know if it happens again.

By: lance reynald

lance reynald — Sat, 12 May 2007 13:41:00 +0000

maybe this comment will stick this time:
what a great conversation…

good to see conversation here again…

and, to clarify. Anneliese, that diagram is actually Heather’s outline for the book, written on a 10X10 scrap of linoleum (yeah, that big!)…I wish I could take credit for that , the first time I saw it I thought it was pure genius…I still do.

and n.l.- I met Heather over at myspace because I was so easily won over by the cover design; so yeah, Sometimes we can really judge a great book by it’s cover…

and to everyone about the rules or etiquette of comments here… whenever I direct my readers to litpark I tend to include some line to the effects of “drop in and join the conversation”…a literary playground…just don’t put anyones eye out with those sharp sticks…the last thing I want is to turn Susan’s park into Lord of the Flies on my watch. You’re all welcome to participate, debate, argue and all like of interaction in my interviews… not my audience…but playground pals.

now quick, hide those cigarettes; I think I see the principal coming.

xoxo-LR

By: Betsy

Betsy — Sat, 12 May 2007 12:55:42 +0000

I’ve been thinking about Juliet’s comment since yesterday and hoping to come up with some way to articulate my thoughts about it. I can certainly understand the desire for a more raw, if you will, dialogue, but there are a lot of factors to consider here. One is, it’s true, the all about me factor – but I think that’s just human nature and I don’t really have any problem with it. It still gives me a chance to get to know something about all the folks here. The primary factor, though, I think, as some folks have noted, is that this is a public forum, and a wonderful one I might say, that’s allowed me introductions to some lovely people and to communicate and share about what the life of a writer is like. But because it is public, as Robin pointed out – she has kids and they or anyone could google her. I teach college and I’d like to keep that job. But also – and perhaps I speak only for myself here, but I have chosen to write fiction for a reason. Much of my own fiction is autobiographical in origin, to be sure – no one with half a brain who read my work next to a bio would miss that. But I chose to write fiction both so I could play with reality and so I could be as raw and honest as I can be without worrying about hurting other people, or having to stick to some facts that were probably nebulous to begin with.
I think it would be very different if we had a litpark party IRL, as they say, and actually got to meet and talk about all of the questions of the week in person. (Which I would really love, Susan! Camp litpark!) Speaking for myself again, in person I might very well reveal more of myself, depending on who I was talking to. I just think it’s really important to remember where we are. It may be frustrating not to go deeper sometimes, but I think that’s just the nature of the forum. We are a bunch of folks with one primary thing in common, and we all have the option of connecting offline – but really, we haven’t met. And I’m inclined to guard my private life a good bit even with people I have met.

By: Nathalie

Nathalie — Fri, 11 May 2007 07:34:12 +0000

Great interview, so thanks to both of you for this. And that book sure looks like fun (up it goes on the wish list…).

By: lance reynald

lance reynald — Fri, 11 May 2007 01:33:06 +0000

(vanishing comments again)

By: Aurelio

Aurelio — Thu, 10 May 2007 21:10:34 +0000

Nice interview, Lance, and what a fascinating book!

And Heather, thanks for friending me on MySpace – you are too kind!

By: n.l. belardes

n.l. belardes — Thu, 10 May 2007 20:23:48 +0000

The book cover design is as entrancing as the interview.

By: Anneliese

Anneliese — Thu, 10 May 2007 18:52:03 +0000

What Jody said about “That’s already been said a few times.” and that Monday asks for a response and Wednesday asks for me to listen. That is how I have inferred the action to take around here. It’s kinda like the neighborhood preschool I walk by: at lunchtime all the little rugrats run around the play yard screaming and having fun (Mondays at LitPark) and the rest of the day they are inside being taught how to draw and paint (Wednesdays at LitPark).

But please, for the sake of comment, allow me to add:

Lance, your story map leaves me breathless! THAT is a work of art.

and

Heather, your poker party costume – fabulous!