Fitzgerald & Hemingway

It’s no secret F. Scott Fitzgerald is one of my favorite authors. He’s got that “it” factor everyone is looking for, a unique style (in the writing world, it’s called voice) that lets you read a line and say “aha! Yes, this is Fitzgerald.”

What’s particularly fascinating to me is his friendship with Hemingway. (The letters between them are delightful to read.) In terms of literary style, the two are night and day. Fitzgerald is form and Hemingway is function. Fitzgerald is “Shall I tell you a story?” and Hemingway is “Here’s what happened.”

I found myself wondering, what if Twitter were around when they were alive? What would they say? This is my best guess. (more…)

don’t quote me on that

I saw a quote in Panera the other day. A cute quote about a preference for coffee over compliments, attributed to one of my favorite authors: Louisa May Alcott. Being the good little detail-oriented researcher that I am, I went home and looked it up.

Indeed, the words were penned by Alcott. But they were spoken through the lips of her character, Amy, the youngest sister in Little Women.

I found myself conflicted about that. Authors are quoted through the words of their characters all the time. And while I’m glad acknowledgement is given to the creator of those words, I find myself concerned. (more…)