The Other Louis Sachar

A while ago I came across a quote by Louis Sachar, author of Holes:

“I always feel like I live two lives. There’s the famous Louis Sachar and then there’s me. The ‘me’ is the one who just writes in his room everyday and plays bridge and doesn’t see a connection between writing in his room and the books that are out in the world.” He’s still taken aback when someone asks for an autograph. “I want to say, ‘No, I’m this Louis Sachar. You want the other guy.'”

I think this exactly captures my feelings at Wordfest, when kids lined up for autographs. Really? I enjoy the kids, especially when we have time to really connect, but the ‘awe of the author’ moment is really weird. Luckily the work requires that I put aside ego, and simply settle back into story.

Maureen