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Opening lap of Tale program revs with humor
Thursday, March 11, 2010 3:38 PM EST
By Brittany Baker and Ben Beagle, news@batavianews.com
BATAVIA — Garth Stein, this year's "A Tale for Three Counties"
author, has had readers hanging on his every word with his best-selling
novel The Art of Racing in the Rain, told from the perspective of a
relatable dog named Enzo.
At today’s first meet-the-author session at Genesee Community College, Stein proved he can captivate and charm with spoken word as well. He entertained a packed lecture hall with how he got the idea for the book, what he went through to get it published, and the importance of conflict in a novel.
Stein will also make a presentation at 7 tonight in the Reading Room of Richmond Memorial Library, 19 Ross St.
During the afternoon session, people asked about Stein himself. They asked about his characters, plot lines and language choices.
They leaned forward in their seats as he read passages from the novel,
including a scene where Enzo and his owner Denny Swift race around a
track..
Stein joked about “...all the Ferraris that drive down Main Street in Batavia,” as he explained where the character name Enzo came from.
He complimented GCC, saying, “A community college is truly that when students and community members alike can gather in discussion. There is no change or improvement without dialogue.”
he first lap of the 2010 “A Tale for Three Counties” community reading project began with a luncheon this morning. Stein met with a small group of faculty, staff and selected students at GCC for a luncheon prior to his afternoon presentation — the first of four the best-selling author will be doing between now and Saturday.
At the invitation-only luncheon, Stein talked a little bit about how having a best-selling novel has changed his life.
It really hasn’t, he said.
“I still cook dinner every night,” he said. “it’s just when the phone rings it’s Patrick Dempsey.”
Dempsey, the “Grey’s Anatomy” heartthrob, is playing Denny Swift, the race car driver in Stein’s book, in a film that is in production.
In one of those calls, Stein said Dempsey told him that NASCAR was interested in the film. The problem, Stein pointed out, is that when it rains, NASCAR race cars don’t race.
“So you’d have to change the title to ‘The Art of Sitting Around in the Garage...,’ ” Stein said.
"The Art of Racing in the Rain" is the story of Denny Swift, as seen through the eyes of his philosophical dog, Enzo. The dog, on the eve of his death, is reflecting on the personal and professional challenges Denny and their family has faced.
Stein began as a filmmaker, after he said he failed as a screenwriter. “I just wasn’t very good at it,” he said.
Through film, Stein learned about basic story structure, which eventually led him to his first novel — which began as a short story.
“So I tricked myself into writing a novel. I didn’t think i could do it, it seemed so long and complicated,” he said. “But so is building a house and people do that all the time.”
Readers can expect to hear more of Stein’s sharp wit when he appears for a talk and book signing at 7 tonight at Richmond Memorial Library, 19 Ross St.
On Friday, he will meet winners of the annual Tale writing contest for a lunch-time discussion. At 7 p.m., the public is invited to another talk and book signing at Lee-Whedon Memorial Library, 620 West Ave., Medina.
The Tale program concludes Saturday with a 2 p.m. program at Perry Elementary/Middle School, 50 Olin Ave., Perry, a program presented by Perry Public Library.
Stein said he loves our unseasonably pleasant weather and he plans to do some exploring while he is in the area - when he is not working on his next book.
“Your best book is your last,” he said with a smile.
VIDEO: Garth Stein at Genesee Community College luncheon
Courtesy of Batavia Newspapers Corporation