Summer Reading Program ~ Flannery O’Connor
Yesterday, Loren reminded me that Jonathan Rogers is running a summer reading program over on his blog. Each week, his blog followers read one short story from Flannery O’Connor’s, The Complete Stories.
I have been following along, not commenting, because…um…I have nothing edifying to add.
But I’m learning a lot.
And though these stories are not for children, we children’s writers can improve by studying great authors.
I think this course would be of most interest to Christians (Protestant and Catholics alike) or someone who wants to study theme. At least so far, that seems to be what we’ve looked at over there. What is she really saying, when she writes about all these nasty characters?
Jonathan Rogers is highly qualified to lead the discussion, seeing as he has a Ph.D. in seventeenth century literature and he’s also written a biography on Ms. O’Connor.
So, if you want to improve your mind, get on over to Jonathan’s blog, posthaste.
And tomorrow, I’ll highlight one of the differences between dear Jonathan and me. He’s highbrow and I’m decidedly lowbrow. He gets people to follow him by inviting them to discuss great literature, and I am attempting to get people to follow me by bribing them (hint: scroll up and look to the right).
More on that tomorrow. For now, grab a copy of O’Connor’s stories and immerse yourself in some good writing with some, um…less-than-nice characters.
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Categories: Theme
When it comes to attracting blog readers, I suspect that a Kindle Fire has a summer reading club beat all to flinders. Good thinking.
hmmm, I don’t think so. I think it might be better to have real friends who care about your topic instead of a bunch of subscribers who delete your newsletter unopened.
Of course, I’m hoping that people who want a kindle will be book lovers, and they may give my newsletter a gander before they delete it.
Thanks for the summer reading club. It’s been very interesting, so far. As one would expect from you.
Nice bribe, Sally!
But really, even our lit-minded Jonathan Rogers has bribed us with a few contests and fun prizes. You may not be as different as you think.
Hmmm, I might get more blog followers if I included a new post instead of forcing them to continually think about chili….
Loren Warnemuende´s last [type] .."Basic" Chili
Loren! My first subscriber. I hope you win a prize.
I don’t recall if I’ve read the chili post. I’ll have to go give it a gander. I’ve been sick so long I haven’t been involved in any blogs much. Except agent blogs. I’m addicted to those.
Today’s favorite word: gander.
Rebecca LuElla Miller´s last [type] ..Walking The Tight Rope
Hmmm. You like gander? I like it too. I also like niggle. And scrabble and scritch.
Ah, I see why you said it was a favorite word. I used it twice in one day. And you, being the hater of repetitive words, picked up on that right away. I gotcha. And here I thought you were being sweet and noticing my fine vocabulary.
I’m in. And I think lowbrow bribery is genius. When my eBook is published, I plan on giving away a Kindle to attract readers. Have not figured out the logistics yet (as I think there is some law about purchases not being necessary), but there is still plenty of time to figure it out.
Shamefully, I must admit I have never read Flannery O’Connor…except maybe once when I was forced to read a short story in high school. Should probably go over to Jonathan’s blog and get me some education, but there are just so many more pleasant things on my list to read. I know! I’ll add a link on my page in support of literary education in general.
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I’m personally looking forward to the newsletter. Sure, it would also be nice to win one of the prizes, but I think the newsletter will have tremendous value. How many times have I asked your advice for what books to buy my nieces and nephews? Now your knowledge and wisdom will be out there for the world!
Rebecca LuElla Miller´s last [type] ..Walking The Tight Rope
Well, haven’t you been the busy writer? Read your blog about the latest story–sounds intriguing! And I like what you’ve done with your blog here, and oh! Prizes! Always good. ;-)
As for Flannery…ahem. I thought I would grow up to write like Flannery. (I was wrong.) But my mom was invited to her birthday party, way back in the day. That should count for something.
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Sally,
Hi! I haven’t thought about Flannery in such a long time. As an English lit major, I had to read A Good Man Is Hard To Find. What I recall is her grittiness and her real understanding of and presence of sin in her fiction. About herself, I remember that she owned peacocks and wrote very well about them; and that she suffered from lupus.
I’ve signed up for your newsletter.
Hope you’re feeling better!
Maria
Maria Tatham´s last [type] ..more about this writer’s vacation to write…
Hi Sally,
Haven’t been here in a while. The site looks great!
Moe
BIW Moderator
Hey, Moe, thanks. I was supposed to finish a novel last month, but my mom and I both have health issues. So I may be over to join in BIW in July. Or August. I need to get motivated.
Thanks for dropping by. Did you enter the sweepstakes for a chance to win a kindle Fire? Look in the top right sidebar.