I May Be Watching . . . or Listening

Yesterday I had a call from Dene who is doing publicity for the upcoming (May 9) Blue Ridge Book and Author Showcase. She's doing a piece about three local authors and wanted my quotable thoughts on her theme: the simple fact that writers tend to pay attention to their surroundings . . . and may use what they observe.

Or, Watch out -- I might put you in my book.

The fact is, you're pretty safe if, like the folks below, you're in the audience when I'm speaking. I don't have time to note your quirks and idiosyncrasies; I'm too busy trying to keep my own under control.

But if I'm sitting in a waiting room somewhere or if I'm in a restaurant or pretty much any place where I have time on my hands, yes indeed, my ears are tuned in for interesting conversations. And I do carry a little notebook with me.

Here's a goody from a friend of mine -- as yet unused.

" . . . most of the animal rehab people burn out -- I mean, how many possums does the world need? And you spend weeks raising them, feeding them every few hours, keeping their cages clean, and then you release them and they scuttle off and hurl themselves under a car . . ."

I love this -- just haven't found a spot for it yet.

I like taking pictures too -- these are from downtown Asheville and it's not inconceivable that they'll figure in a scene someday.