So, on the advice of my friend I went to this. I got there a
few minutes before the start. When I saw that Craig was to speak first, I was disappointed.
For the most part, I don’t know the
authors well enough or know their books to really care what they have to say. Listening to them read a book isn’t all that
exciting to me either.
As is my norm, I wondered through the stacks and looked over
the books when the reading and the Q&A occur. I‘ll find a book and read. So I passively listened to the reading and I must
admit it wasn’t that bad. Craig spoke and read well and the story flowed nicely
when read aloud.
Then he took a few questions and his charm came out. He told amusing anecdotes about himself and
the books and the show. He made me laugh when he and his wife got pulled over
for speeding. The police office asked for the driver’s license and saw the
name. The police officer asked if he was the same Craig Johnson that wrote the
books. Craig said yes. The officer then went back to this car. Craig turned to his wife. He said he
recognized me...this could go good OR bad.
When the officer came back, he just gave a warning and told him to drive
carefully so he could write more books.
Just the type of self-depreciating humor I like. So I listened closer. And I laughed a few other times. When he was
done I must admit I didn’t might the wait at all.
When I got my book signed I asked why he went to Temple University
in Philly. He mentioned while it was far from home (Wyoming), it had a grad degree
in screenwriting. That wasn’t something I
heard every day. He talked about what his
goals were and why he wanted to do that. He then filled me in on the circuitous route
of college to NYC to writing books in Wyoming.
I owe nod to my friend and a thank you to Craig for being
the exception when it comes to readings.
AH
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