Last night we listened to author Carl Hiassen speak about his writing career.
The first thing Hiassen did was bring out a very thick file full of newspaper clippings. He then proceeded to share headlines and stories that have inspired plot and character in his novels. Most of these came from The Miami Herald where Hiassen has worked since he was twenty-three years old.
He tagged his books "satire" (for those of you who thought he was just plain funny and perhaps a little odd) and was delightfully self-deprecating. He had much to say about the dumping ground that is his home state of Florida, and he told story after story of the unsavories that somehow find themselves in the state. In fact (he claimed), the most challenging part of his writing is staying ahead of the weirdness curve of actual happenings in Florida.
So there you have it, folks. The trick to being a NY Times Bestselling Author is right there in black and white served up with your morning coffee. Start clipping, and start writing!
“The truth is rarely pure and never simple.”
- Oscar Wilde
I love his books, they are hysterical! I would have loved to listen to interview.
ReplyDeleteYou would have been impressed! We felt so lucky he came to our little book festival... he said he turns down 9 out of 10 invites! I'm excited because he said he's working on another novel for children (after the huge success of HOOT), and my hubby is excited because his next release is a nonfiction about his adventures on the golf course called DOWN HILL LIE. He's a fun author to follow.
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