Broccoli

Dear Kate,

I have written before about one of my greatest role models, Anne Lamott, and her book "Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life." I highly recommend it to your reading list. I have my book marked and dogeared to a point beyond recognition.

Anyway, one chapter is titled, "Broccoli." Opening this chapter, Lamott quotes Mel Brooks: "Listen to your broccoli, and your broccoli will tell you how to eat it." Taken one way you may initially think I am telling you to listen to your pop and he will tell you how to write your story. No. I am saying listen to your story and it's characters will tell you how they wish to interact. This is YOUR story. Sure it is based upon your dad's life, but this is still your story.

Another friend once told me that all fiction is based heavily on fact. This part is obvious. You need the information from your dad to make your story believable...to make your story real. We all have read books before where the author failed in the research department, resulting in the story becoming unbelievable. (Why is it we want to believe something meant to be fiction??)

There is a point here...and it is found in the next chapter: "Radio Station: KFKD" that is, K-Fucked: "the single greatest obstacle to listening to your broccoli that exists for writers." Basically it is the voices inside and outside of your brain telling you everything that is wrong with your writing. In one corner, there is a small voice is praising your work. But the other three corners house loud, differing, opinionated voices telling you everything that sucks, what needs to change, what needs removal...three voices telling you what a terrible writer you truly are. And the problem: WE LISTEN TO THOSE VOICES!!!

There really is a point here somewhere. The point: These are your writings. You need to compose YOUR own symphony of words. Ask your dad for some details, but do not tell him the reasoning for your questioning. There is nothing wrong with wanting to sit and listen to stories. You can, should you decide, joke him and tell him you are writing a book based upon his childhood. I used this line for the Doc when we first met, "So, tell me about yourself for I need inspiration for this new book I am planning to write."

Then, write your novella. Upon completion, one of two things can then happen: A. show your dad POST PUBLICATION, or, B. as my dear friend Pablo would suggest, don't publish until the person your character is based upon has passed.

I would personally choose number one. If your dad objects to your story, tell him to go write his own book. Your current plans do not involve ghost writing his personal autobiography.

So, in seriousness, I think I really am going to write that book "Doc in Paperback."
Good luck, ma cousine.