Blog Chain: A Chat with the Dead

Today’s blog chain comes from Michelle. She asks:

“If you could dine with any author, and I do mean any whether alive or dead (yes, we’re going into the realms of time travel – but hey, we have science fiction writers on this chain so we can always ask for them to write up the time machine specs), who would you want to dine with? And if you can ask them for advice on one writing element you feel you might be struggling at, what would it be?”

There are so many to choose from, both living and dead, but I have always wished I could talk with the dead, so this is the next best thing. 🙂 I chose Edith Wharton because I have always been a fan of her work. When I read Ethan Frome in high school, the love story just grabbed me. I was tired of happy endings being rammed down my throat. Bring on the depression! But it was about more than Wharton not shying away from gloom. I was impressed with her character portrayal and how the situations they were in dictated their lives.

In college, my favorite Wharton novel was Age of Innocence. Here, not only did the characters–and how deftly Wharton depicted each one’s predicament–speak to me, but the time period drew me in as well. I longed to know more about the high class society, what Edith thought of her role in the structure, and how it contributed to her success.

While drinking tea and eating eclairs and Napoleon, I would ask Ms. Wharton about the impact winning the Pulitzer had on her and her thoughts on being the first woman to win this honor. I would also ask her about how she painted such wonderful settings, how she managed to lure readers in as if they were there. I would ask her if she outlined, how stories came to her, and what she found to be the hardest part of writing.

Then, I would ask her to sign my copy of Age of Innocence and, in turn, give her a signed copy of Inconvenient, because this will surely make her super popular among her dead friends. Then, we’d visit Melinda Gordon and Ms. Wharton will follow the light home.

If you missed Eric’s terrific post about who he’d have for dinner make sure you check it out. And, don’t forget to read Sarah’s blog tomorrow to find out about her lovely dining companion.