Oh, look! More!
Okay, I get it. Easter + Sunday ≠ comments.
Nonetheless. People frequently ask: "I'm new to your writing. Where should I begin. For many years, this question vexed me. In the last couple of years, however, I've finally formed an answer to this question. I think it was, in part, a matter of maturing as an author, and gaining perspective, and being able to put my earlier works behind me. Now, I still can't say, "Begin right here." Rather, I can say, "Here are the books I believe would be a good starting place, a place from which you can develop a fair and accurate opinion of who and what I currently am as an author." This is that list (I'm provided links to those works currently in print; alas, some aren't, those there are plenty of used copies on the market):
NOVELS (You will note the are the only two novels featured on my website.)
The Red Tree (2010)
The Drowning Girl: A Memoir (2012)
SHORT-FICTION COLLECTIONS
To Charles Fort, With Love* (2005)
Alabaster* (2006)
A is for Alien (2009)
The Ammonite Violin & Others (2010)
Two Worlds and In Between (2011; but only the second half, 2000-2004)**
Confessions of a Five-Chambered Heart (2012, forthcoming)
Now, please note that I'm not saying there's anything wrong with Silk or Tales of Pain and Wonder being your favorite books I've ever written. If they still work for you, that's cool. I'm saying they no longer work for me, as I am no longer that writer or that person. Indeed, I never could have written the books of mine I currently favor had I not first written the books that are no longer representative of me as an author. Also, I'm not saying you shouldn't buy the older books; you should do as you, as a reader, please. I'm merely trying to honestly answer a persistent question.
Responding,
Aunt Beast
* In part, not in toto.
** Presently available only in ebook format.
Nonetheless. People frequently ask: "I'm new to your writing. Where should I begin. For many years, this question vexed me. In the last couple of years, however, I've finally formed an answer to this question. I think it was, in part, a matter of maturing as an author, and gaining perspective, and being able to put my earlier works behind me. Now, I still can't say, "Begin right here." Rather, I can say, "Here are the books I believe would be a good starting place, a place from which you can develop a fair and accurate opinion of who and what I currently am as an author." This is that list (I'm provided links to those works currently in print; alas, some aren't, those there are plenty of used copies on the market):
NOVELS (You will note the are the only two novels featured on my website.)
The Red Tree (2010)
The Drowning Girl: A Memoir (2012)
SHORT-FICTION COLLECTIONS
To Charles Fort, With Love* (2005)
Alabaster* (2006)
A is for Alien (2009)
The Ammonite Violin & Others (2010)
Two Worlds and In Between (2011; but only the second half, 2000-2004)**
Confessions of a Five-Chambered Heart (2012, forthcoming)
Now, please note that I'm not saying there's anything wrong with Silk or Tales of Pain and Wonder being your favorite books I've ever written. If they still work for you, that's cool. I'm saying they no longer work for me, as I am no longer that writer or that person. Indeed, I never could have written the books of mine I currently favor had I not first written the books that are no longer representative of me as an author. Also, I'm not saying you shouldn't buy the older books; you should do as you, as a reader, please. I'm merely trying to honestly answer a persistent question.
Responding,
Aunt Beast
* In part, not in toto.
** Presently available only in ebook format.