Last night I went to the South Bank Centre to attend a panel discussion on Agatha Christie. It was chaired by Simon Brett and featured authors Kate Mosse, Japser Fforde and Val McDermid. Jasper is one of my favourite authors, I'm in the middle of a book by Val and have enjoyed the TV adaptations of Wire in the Blood and though I haven't read anything by Kate Mosse, I intend to as, she is such a lovely lady!
It was an entertaining evening - listening to writers talk about an author they find inspiring is so interesting. Kate Mosse made an interesting point that your reading voice isn't necessarily the same as your writing voice, which I found most comforting as I LOVE crime thrillers but don't think I could ever write one. The added bonus was that Jasper signed my well loved, rather beaten up copy of The Eyre Affair. He seem quite pleased by the fact that my name was written in pencil on the inside (a request made by the very wise Mrs R when borrowing the book so it could be returned to it's correct owner) so he could seem mystical by knowing my name without me telling him. It also meant that he spelt my name correctly - it always feels a little odd if I am addressed on email as Clare, it just isn't me! Jasper is well known for giving away postcards at book signings so I know have one advertising his new book Shades of Grey which is definitely going on my Christmas list. All in all it was lovely to spend an evening listening to other Christie enthusiasts share why they love her work.
It was an entertaining evening - listening to writers talk about an author they find inspiring is so interesting. Kate Mosse made an interesting point that your reading voice isn't necessarily the same as your writing voice, which I found most comforting as I LOVE crime thrillers but don't think I could ever write one. The added bonus was that Jasper signed my well loved, rather beaten up copy of The Eyre Affair. He seem quite pleased by the fact that my name was written in pencil on the inside (a request made by the very wise Mrs R when borrowing the book so it could be returned to it's correct owner) so he could seem mystical by knowing my name without me telling him. It also meant that he spelt my name correctly - it always feels a little odd if I am addressed on email as Clare, it just isn't me! Jasper is well known for giving away postcards at book signings so I know have one advertising his new book Shades of Grey which is definitely going on my Christmas list. All in all it was lovely to spend an evening listening to other Christie enthusiasts share why they love her work.
Those who know me well are aware that I possess the Miss Marple box set of the BBC adaptations, aside from Pride and Prejudice they are the most likely DVDs to be bought out on a dull or rainy afternoon, it's so comforting to snuggle down with a cup of tea and slice of cake and watch something so quintessentially English. Despite the fact that there is murder involved I find them very relaxing and it doesn't matter a jot that I know who did it.
One lovely anecdote to finish, an actor who had starred in couple of Christie adaptations was travelling in a taxi with the Agatha herself to a new theatre production of one of her plays. As she settled into the car, Agatha she beseeched her companion - 'Don't tell me who did it will you? I've forgotten so it will be a nice surprise'
One lovely anecdote to finish, an actor who had starred in couple of Christie adaptations was travelling in a taxi with the Agatha herself to a new theatre production of one of her plays. As she settled into the car, Agatha she beseeched her companion - 'Don't tell me who did it will you? I've forgotten so it will be a nice surprise'
No comments:
Post a Comment