I got to the National Book Festival a little earlier than I had initially planned and so go to take in a couple of other authors I was interested in. But my Saturday plans revolved around getting a good spot at the fiction tent for Sir Salman Rushdie.
I have always been so struck by his writing. He's such a prolific writer, and his words just grab the reader, taking the reader into this world that he creates. His language is rich and vivid, and I've enjoyed reading those books that I have. I recently purchased his new book and hope to begin it within the next few weeks.
As to Rushdie the person, he was very amiable, and funny too. And that just made it better, you know? Especially to have gone through what he's gone through, and to come out still writing books and still be so congenial. And what he's gone through is also a testament to the power of words. Yes, it's cliché, but it's the whole "the pen is mightier than the sword." Words are the inspiration behind the action. I know when I look for inspiration, I look to past speeches and past essays and that's what motivates me to continue or to change course.
It's why I love words and language.
It was definitely a highlight to living in DC. Last year's Book Festival was as well, and the festival is definitely a motivator. Maybe it's just being around all those authors and aspiring writers that the motivation just seeps in. And it was also worth braving the potential rain to head down to the mall and have a chance to hear Rushdie speak.
I'm also looking forward to next year (definitely hoping the festival continues!) and who the author list is going to be. I just wish I'd known about the Festival when I first came to DC for a semester and then when I moved here!
2 comments:
I hope I'm in town for this next year.
I hope it continues next year too. The last two I've been to have been great.
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