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"eat, write & exercise" yes! that's (me!) sandra, tvgp ORIGINAL POST 4/2/2009

so,

the past couple weeks i've been dropping off flyers about my upcoming book at a starbucks here, or a tully's there

and i happen to bring 5 or 6 over to the firehouse bistro & books in livermore; set them down on the counter next to all the other pamphlets re: literary events. -that was last week.

and yesterday...

yesterday when i stopped in for lunch, the waitress (and i'm upset i did not get her name), she said, upon seeing me at the door,

"eat, write & exercise"

and it just surprised me to no end to be a) recognized/remembered, and b) "by my book title!"

my impulse was to reach out and squeeze her. give her a big, loud kiss on the cheek. ask her to repeat loudly what she just said so everyone in the restaurant could here it

but instead, i just said, "thank you. it's very nice to be remembered."

then (not usually a name-dropper), but then, i sat down with lee strasberg and enjoyed a nice cold beer and a perfectly delicious burger. three ladies at a table near us were enjoying champagne and fancy, gourmet salads.. and a gentleman not far from them, the chef's famous, butternut squash ravioli (please don't use me as a barometer for what delights are on the menu. i'll link so you can see)

it really does feel like i was sitting with lee strasberg, listening to his wonderful stories.. soaking up his insights on the creative process

i ordered the book, lee strasberg, a dream of passion, after hearing people talk so highly about him on inside the actors studio

i gathered from listening to these interviews/conversations, that he had great wisdom to offer, not just to actors -but to any/all creative people

on the cover, is this quote: "a must for young actors, for old ones too, for that matter." -- paul newman

i would argue that this book is a must also for writers.. painters.. artists of any kind.

the creative process itself is a common one, with specific naunces for specific arts, no doubt.. but still..

i'm finding it VERY EASY to apply his thoughts/lessons/ideas to writing even though he is addressing actors

i've also learned a great deal about writing and creativity from great architechts, great scientists, great elementary school teachers

and whereas in days gone by, i stuck to reading exclusively books by writers/for writers (natalie goldberg, stephen king, anne lamott... long list here).. today that seems silly and narrow to me

today i would suggest, that in addition to books by writers/for writers -it is imperative to read lee strasberg, malcolm gladwell, eric kandel, daniel libeskind (another long list here)

the greats in any field; many fields. from architechts to composers to spiritual leaders. to note the common denominators for creativity and excellence and originality across the spectrum of arts AND sciences. to note the way greats in any field connect with their mentors, peers, audience, students...

-which- back up just a moment - i must point out, no longer feels write either: arts AND sciences. as if they are two separate things. art is a science; and science an art. -this is closer to the truth.

anyway.. after i visit with lee, i plan to visit with stella adler. according to many, many, people i've heard during interviews on inside the actors studio, she is one of the greatest acting coaches of all time

and i'm sure her lessons can be applied toward writers also.

here's the link i promised earlier: http://www.bistrobooks.com/Menu4.html


love, sandra

posted by SHE @ 8:54 AM