Interesting interview with a favorite author

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Ann Patchett is one of my favorite authors. I enjoyed her book “The Dutch House.”

I read an interview of Ann Patchett in the Wall Street Journal by Lane Florsheim called

“Ann Patchett Shares Her Reading Resolutions for 2024“

The author, most recently of ‘Tom Lake,’ talks about her to-be-read pile, running her beloved Nashville bookstore and when she gets her best writing done

https://www.wsj.com/arts-culture/books/ann-patchett-tom-lake-nashville-35f2415b?mod=arts-culture_trendingnow_article_pos5

I learned some interesting facts about this author including that she owns a bookstore in Nashville. She writes on a treadmill desk. (I never heard of that before). She also has a tip for writers to work during their most productive time of day. She said it’s different for everyone and we all know when it is. She doesn’t have a set number of words she must write each day or a set schedule.

Of her nine novels, two children’s books and five nonfiction books, I’m not a fan of all the ones I’ve read. I admire how she has such diversity in her writing. Her fiction books take on different tones, styles and subject matters. That’s probably why I absolutely love some — and others not so much. I’ve actually put down one or two and didn’t finish them. On the other hand, her writing speaks to me and I find some of her books are outstanding.

Another one of my favorites by Ann Patchett.

Here’s a snippet from the WSJ article:

Reporter: I read that you wrote “Tom Lake,” in its entirety, on a treadmill desk. How was that experience, and what were those hours like? 

Ann Patchett: I loved it. I would go to work around 9 a.m. I would stay on the treadmill anywhere from two to three hours at 1.5 [miles per hour], which is slow. Usually, I would get off when my feet hurt, when I would just start to think, “Oh. I’m tired.” Then I would get off, and I would not go back to the book for the rest of the day. 

I always think about Liz Gilbert. All great advice comes from Elizabeth Gilbert. That’s what I should say. She says in her book “Big Magic” that everybody has two hours a day in which you’re your best, and everybody knows when those hours are. She said, “Don’t spend those hours answering email.” One of the things that makes the treadmill desk so great is the fact that the two things that I want to do in the morning when I get up are write and exercise. I’m like, “Oh. Look. I’ve done them both. That’s great.”

https://www.wsj.com/arts-culture/books/ann-patchett-tom-lake-nashville-35f2415b?mod=arts-culture_trendingnow_article_pos5

I also learned that she used to write for Bridal Guide and wrote so many articles for issues that they changed her byline for some so it didn’t look like she wrote the entire magazine. In one article she asked for wedding advice and shared a tip from her stepmother:

“[She] told me that the brain naturally focuses on what is wrong, what it doesn’t like—towels on the floor, or somebody who interrupts, or somebody who’s late,” Patchett, 59, says. “And so then, every time your partner does that, it’s just like hitting a gong.” The good things, by contrast, often go unnoticed or forgotten, her stepmother told her. “She said, ‘It is possible, with practice and discipline, to flip the equation.’” 

Are you an Ann Patchett fan? What are some of her books you like?
Who are your favorite authors?

36 thoughts on “Interesting interview with a favorite author”

  1. I think that I’ve read a few Patchett books, but I couldn’t tell you which ones! It’s rare anymore that I am so taken with one author that I read every book they write. I guess that means that I don’t have a favorite author either. I do read a lot of different genres though.

    I do find that I agree with that last quote shared. In my personal world I am guilty of a brain that focused on the irritating things much more than the positive. I needed that advice years ago 🙂

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    • I’m on a Lisa See reading spree now. I am enjoying her books. I find it interesting that some Ann Patchett books I love and others I can’t read. That last quote spoke to me right now!

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  5. Interesting about the treadmill desk! That’s a new one to me too. I like how she doesn’t hold herself to a certain amount of words a day or a set schedule! That’s me! I think I have read a book by her for her name is famialar or her books are on my TBR list. Either way I am going to make more of a point now to read a book by her and see what I think . Thanks for the post.

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  6. I’ve tried reading her nonfiction, but I just can’t get into it. She’s a fantastic author, so maybe I’ll try her fiction. I’ve heard nothing but positive things about The Dutch House.

    Treadmill desks are something I’ve heard of! I definitely need to improve my daily steps, and this would be one way to do so.

    I didn’t realize she had a bookstore in Nashville!

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  7. I haven’t read any of her books, but writing on a treadmill desk is interesting to learn, and I can see that it’s doable since she walks slow. Work and exercise at the same time, brilliant! Thanks for sharing, Elizabeth. I’ll have to add this book to my list.

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  9. I’ve read Bel Canto and State of Wonder. I liked them, but wouldn’t say “Wow!” about either. My favorite author is Barbara Kingsolver. I’m looking forward to reading her latest this winter (Demon Copperhead).

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  10. I am a total fan of Ann’s but I can never imagine writing on a treadmill. I’ve read several of her books but not all. I really love her step mother’s advice, flip the equation. Hugs, C

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