World of Pies, by Karen Stolz is the BEST book I've read in a long time. I read it in 2010 and loved it so much. Myself, a playwright, I'm very particular - okay, I'm extremely FINICKY- about things like plots, characterization, believable dialogue, etc. But Karen's book was truly marvelous... I decided to do something I don't often do - I went to the author's website to put in a comment about her work. When I got there, the website was not current and thus, would not allow me leave a comment. But, I did find an email for Karen Stolz there.
So, I emailed her my comment.
So, she answered my email!
I was stunned, truly amazed. Never did I imagine she would take the time to reply to my comment on her wonderful read! Not only did she reply, but she gave me her personal email address & we exchanged a couple of emails discussing writing. She said that she was thrilled to receive my email, especially at that time, because she was working on a new project with a collaborator and was finding it difficult. She said that my 'high praise' (seriously, I gushed in my original email to her - you have to read this book!) came at just the right time, she needed the encouragement. Wow!
I wrote Karen that I had cried as I read the last chapter of World of Pies, not because something terrible was happening, but because the pages were coming to an end and I wanted it to go on! She said she had cried while she was writing those last pages. Funny, so connected to someone I've never met.
This is why I cried again last week when I found out that Karen had passed away on June 15th, 2011. I cried for days, longing for someone that I've never met face-to-face, but that made a huge impact on me, nonetheless. Ah, the Internet and the relationships it makes possible! I had gone to her website to see if she'd completed her new novel....low and behold....*gulp*....there were birth & death dates! I got very still as I read about her, tears slipping down my cheeks as though I'd lost the very closest of friends.
I'm so sad that this marvelous author (and her future novels) are gone from our green earth! I am also sad for her students and those future writers she would inspire (she was a teacher of creative writing and literature too).
If you haven't read World of Pies (my favorite!) or Fanny and Sue by Karen Stolz - please read them. You will find in those pages, wonderful characters and a lovely world.
Peace be with you, Karen Stolz.
Ciao for Niao,
Playwright Chick
9 COMMENTS HERE:
I have to read this book. I can't sleep or eat until I find this book to read. I am totally serious.
Very exciting to talk to someone whose work you admire. Very cool!
Teresa
It's the loveliest slice-of-life I've ever read. Sweet, but not sappy.
I've had a couple author replies, too, and they are so fulfilling!
Thank you for checking in on me yesterday. :) I'm gearing up for my return in another week or two.
I haven't heard of this book, but it sounds like a good one. So neat she e-mailed you back! That happened to me once - an author I e-mailed to compliment her book contacted me back. It realy meant a lot that she would take the time to do that.
I am sorry you lost your new friend. What a wonderful experience that you had time to exchange thoughts. This little internet world is really something to marvel. Pen pals of yesteryear is not the same as the connections one can create these days through emails and the blogging world. I have made some wonderful friends and experienced worlds I could only imagine.
Karen was a most lovely person. I had the pleasure of working with her at the Writer's League of Texas. She also gave us a blurb on a book the Austin WriterGrrls put together.
Very saddened also by her sudden and early departure from this earth.
What a lovely tribute you wrote for her. I'm going to order this book. It is amazing how we can get attached to someone whom we've never met in person. I know I'd feel a loss, shed rivers of tears, and grieve if I read about one of my blogger friends passing.
(psst. i'm stretching out of my comfort zone next week in the theater. i'll tell you more later.)
Your blog post is a lovely tribute to this lady, and although it's very sad she is no longer here, how lovely that you took the time to tell her how much her book meant to you, and to know that she read your words and really appreciated them. Treasure those emails! And thanks for letting us know about her book - I'll look out for it.
Oh dear - I am so sorry. I can tell you that you honored this author in so many ways ... believe this.
and, I will check out her book - yes.
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