Since I've been advised by trustworthy types not to read longer than twenty minutes, I'm pacing around the house this morning reading aloud the shortest stories from THE MOTHER WHO STAYED. Some stories work best on the page and others are good for reading aloud.The one I thought would be perfect is 6 minutes too long and requires a real performance. Perhaps from Kathleen Chalfant or another fine performer. I'm about to try another.
At UNC/Greensboro in Fall 2008, I read "The Eye," the first story in the book, and that took a long time. It was well received and Michael Parker assured and reassured me that I didn't bore anyone's socks off, but who knows? A special audience at a university reading--hardened graduate students and faculty, trained in the ways of listening to visitors reading and reading. Shorter beats longer any day. Onward and upward.
At UNC/Greensboro in Fall 2008, I read "The Eye," the first story in the book, and that took a long time. It was well received and Michael Parker assured and reassured me that I didn't bore anyone's socks off, but who knows? A special audience at a university reading--hardened graduate students and faculty, trained in the ways of listening to visitors reading and reading. Shorter beats longer any day. Onward and upward.