Neil Gaiman Taught Me How to Read
By Martel Sardina
A recent appearance by Neil Gaiman challenged one writer’s view of escapism.
Neil Gaiman has been described as “the best-selling author you’ve never heard of,” so I didn’t feel so bad for being completely unfamiliar with his works prior to attending his appearance at the University of Chicago on April 19, 2005. Prior to hearing Neil speak, I read books solely for enjoyment, to escape reality. Even though I was writing, I never thought much about how reading someone else’s work could help me improve my own.During the program, Neil read excerpts from his forthcoming novel, “Anansi Boys,” which is scheduled to be released on September 20, 2005.
According to http://www.neilgaiman.com , “Anansi Boys” is ” Exciting, scary, and deeply funny.a kaleidoscope journey deep into myth, a wild adventure, and a fierce and unstoppable farce, as Neil Gaiman shows us where gods come from, and how to survive your family.”
Gretchen Helfrich, host of Odyssey on Chicago Public Radio, conducted an interview between the readings. The program ended with an audience Q&A session.
By the time the event was over, I left wondering how I had survived the last twenty years deprived of his genius.
As a writer with limited experience in the realm of fantasy, I found Neil’s thoughts on the genre to be helpful in ascertaining what makes a fantasy story good . He said that fantasy works best when it shows the reader familiar things from unfamiliar directions. Presenting the reader with the familiar but in a way that nobody else has done before allows the reader to see that thing for the first time all over again. He also spoke a bit about subject matter, commenting that people frequently ask him where he gets his story ideas. His response to these queries is: write what you want, it doesn’t matter if the subject is right or not, what matters is whether or not you can fool people to believe it.
What changed for me after attending this program was the way I viewed reading. I realized that I had seen a true storyteller at work. I knew I needed to read his books. Doing so, I saw what good writing looks like. I have seen him create compelling characters who can’t be ignored and interesting plots that propel the story from beginning to end with satisfying resolutions. I have seen him tell tales in ways that I haven’t begun to figure out how to do myself. I’m not discouraged by it. If anything I came away from that night with hope that there is a reason to continue to write: to keep people interested in reading.
The “Anansi Boys” release is just a few weeks away and I am excited to read it. Not just to find out what happens to Fat Charlie, but also to see what else Neil Gaiman can teach me about writing.
