If you've been asking yourself what twins + Northern Michigan + Father's Day all have in common then you're in LUCK! I have the answer for you! These three things came together in Traverse City on Tuesday, March 5th, and my husband and I got to be a part of it.
We dubbed it "date night" but first there was work to do. Buzz Bissinger was in town speaking at the National Writer's Series and we got to go! You might know his name from the hit TV series and movie Friday Night Lights of which he is the writer, his cousin the producer.
I personally hadn't seen a minute of either until a few days ago, and that's not what drew me to him.
Buzz is the father of twin boys, now nearly 30, one born without complication and the other born handicapped. If you thought our twin birth story was intense, you haven't heard anything yet.
His book is about a cross-country trip with his handicapped son, Zach, and the reality of life for them both. It's a raw, unfiltered account. Something rare in literature these days.
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| Short Stature // Tall Personality |
The thing I most appreciated about Buzz was his sincerity (even if he did drop more F bombs that I hear in a year). But second to that was his knowledge. He said "the thing I love about writing is that you can do it anywhere and BOOM! you're a writer." It wasn't until those words left his mouth that I realized we had that in common, too. In a sense I owe my realization of actually being a writer to Buzz.
We were probably just as excited to hear Buzz speak as we were to check out the venue. The interview, as it was, took place in the City Opera House which opened its doors in 1891 and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972. Both phenomenal feats! The Opera House underwent major renovations as of recent but still manages to take you back in time to a simpler, more sophisticated era.
Read the rest of Buzz's keep-you-guessing story here.
Pick up a copy of Father's Day (or any of his other successes) here.
Stay in the happs with the National Writers Series year-round book festival here.
Facebook Connect:
National Writers Series
Buzz Bissinger
City Opera House
Read the rest of Buzz's keep-you-guessing story here.
Pick up a copy of Father's Day (or any of his other successes) here.
Stay in the happs with the National Writers Series year-round book festival here.
Facebook Connect:
National Writers Series
Buzz Bissinger
City Opera House
Bonus: I don't know if it's a parents-of-twins-have-the-same-excellent-taste thing BUT we did find ourselves in the same restaurant as Buzz after the show!
What would you ask Buzz if you had the chance?
What would you ask Buzz if you had the chance?
That is so cool that you got to meet him! And then run into him at the restaurant, too! So funny.
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty sure it means something like "great minds..."
DeleteHe sounds like a VERY interesting guy, how cool that he made you realize you were a writer!
ReplyDeleteI agree Jen, on both accounts. I appreciate the simple things about people and the nonchalant way he went about slipping that opinion in really hit home with me.
DeleteI've never heard of him either, but I love that comment about being a writer. I have never been a writer, but in the last 2 years, I've come to realize that being a writer is not about learning sentence structure and word choice, it's about telling your story and sharing your life! I love being able to put words down on my blog and share my story of my life with others. That's what writing is in the basic form - sharing! So glad you got to meet Buzz and be inspired by his story too!
ReplyDeleteI like that idea, too "that's what writing is in the basic form - sharing!" so simple yet so true!
DeleteWhat a neat experience. I'll have to check out his book.
ReplyDeleteChristina I just started Father's Day and so far it's a wonderful reading treat!
DeleteI love the comment about a writer. I never would have expected to be writing at all. I always struggled in school with it. Because I could never wrap my mind around all the stuff they teach you in English Class. Now that I can do things my way, I enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great night out. I think it's always awesome to meet people in similar situations and see that you aren't alone.
Being able to do things your way or express yourself is so important and the how's and why's are all that significant as long as it gets done!
DeleteWhat a cute story! You look smashing!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Maggie!
DeleteTo funny about him dropping the "F bomb" he must of felt comfortable, although I once heard that meant a person had a limited vocabulary...maybe he's better with writing then speech. LOL ... The opera house sounds amazing!
ReplyDeleteJulia I've heard that, too (and said it to my husband more than once) but I can get behind someone being comfortable in that situation also. I like how you see things from both sides!
DeleteIt sounds like you had a lot of fun. I will definitely check out the book.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness! That is too cool! What a great experience!
ReplyDelete