Authors Cynthia C Sample and Ben Fountain
Decades ago, I was filmed by a management support group; me presenting a new tool for portfolio managers who were clearly against the tool being forced upon them. I was a young PhD grad brought in to ease this onto very experienced financial wizards. Seeing myself was a huge eye-opener. I was stiff, pacing like a brand new teaching assistant; clearly out of my proverbial element. I’ve been embarrassed many times in my life, but none as bad as that one. The whole thing was obviously an agenda that I clearly didn’t much believe in.
You can understand my reluctance to allow Ben Fountain, local literary hero and great friend to all, to ‘interview’ me about my newly published book Forms of Defiance at Interabang Books. Ben had offered this opportunity to me, and Interabang was gracious enough to allow the event at their wonderful store. For a good many weeks prior, I regularly woke up in the middle of the night envisioning questions he might ask me, wrestling how I could answer without sounding stupid – the contrast between his writing life and mine is that marked. I fantasized how to withdraw. Ambition won out, of course. Besides I like and admire Ben’s work, quite a bit.
Yet, when (unfortunately for him) Ben crashed his bike -- breaking his shoulder in 5 places, dislocating it quite horribly, necessitating surgery – I thought I was saved. The same week, a nightmare freeze was to hit Dallas, locking us all in. On the planned day of the event, Ukraine was invaded by ruthless neighbors, drawing the whole world into fear and rage. The only logical course of action was to cancel the event last minute, promising a reschedule. Who knew what might happen before ‘later.’
The reschedule was last Tuesday, April 26th, in the early evening. Ben assured me the dialog we would have would be relaxed and fun for us both, that all would be well. He was kind, generous, and complimentary in ways I could never have hoped for. There was a larger crowd than expected, proving once again how great my friends are, not to mention the friends of Interabang.
Many questions were asked of me: some about my use of humor, whether my stories were really my need to get some things off my chest, and how contemporary marriage works in stories. One person wanted to know if I’d faced any difficulty about talking about the theology in the South. One lifetime friend of mine asked if one of my characters was based on ‘you know who?’
“As things turned out, this hour and a half was basically perfect. I DID have a wonderful time.”
As things turned out, this hour and a half was basically perfect. I DID have a wonderful time. Ben had predicted “we get to talk about the things we both love: books, writing, stories” He was 100% right.
A lot of books were sold that night, but the real payoff for my going through with this event was that my daughter filmed it. As I looked back, I saw myself offer the very best of myself to some people I care about: readers. Each question had my full attention, and I accepted each as seriously as the person asking it. I spoke from my real experience. I spoke from my true love and belief in the power of language. I had the rare chance to offer myself and my work, to uplift the ideas within. My daughter – the bullshit-detector in my life – told me she’d never see me so honest, so authentic. I had an agenda, and I clearly believe in it.
There were some laughs – and everyone enjoyed the evening. Like most, I love humor and especially humor on the page. I love the madcap way our minds work and especially the minds of characters on a page. Comedy is plenty powerful.
Honestly, though, it might be the most serious night of my life.
Also, a special Thank You to Interabang Bookstore for hosting this event. It’s a Must-Visit in Dallas for any literary fan or lover of books.
If you haven’t purchased your copy of Forms of Defiance, it’s never too late! You can find purchasing options here.
Images from the Interabang Event
