Here's an interesting story. Those who follow this page know that I have a dream, or possibly a plan, or maybe just a pipe dream, to write a biography of Bela Fleck and Abigail Washburn. I feel they have made an important contribution to our understanding of the banjo and to the world of music, and I want to document it.
But I did a practice run. Biography is not easy, and it involves getting inside someone's head and sometimes making assumptions about their feelings. I wrote a biography of my first cousin three times removed - Frank Leverett (1859-1943)(see post above). He was a famous geologist but also a family hero. He was worth paying tribute to because in short, whatever we know about the family we know because of him.
The biography wasn't easy and made me question whether I want to stay in the biography business. It didn't sell a whole bunch right off the bat either, though that may be typical for biography. There are good things about biography and bad, obviously, but I am limited in a couple obvious ways too.
First, it would have helped with Frank, if I went to Denver or East Lansing, to just look at all the papers. It seems like an obvious thing, but I said right from the start, I'm not going to do this. I just can't leave home. I've got four teenagers and a delicate balance relies on me.
Second, most authors invest in their project. Like I'm talking, buy a few dozen books, haul in the facts. In the case of Mr. Fleck and Ms. Washburn a minimum investment would be a trip to someplace where his tour lands, and an interview, probably a motel room and a dozen meals on the road. I figured I could do this, or set up a zoom interview, but I'm not even sure about that. I so far have not invested big money into any of my books. I'm not sure if I'm willing, much less able, to do that here. Willing, yes, I'd love to meet him. But you look at a tenuous household budget with teenagers, going to college, and it may not stay that way.
Anyway, thought I'd let you know how the mulling is going. I love music - I'm still not hearing it well - and want to stay involved in it some way or another. When I get computers in my ears it will be a whole new ball game. For now, it's trying to stay on my feet, not get dizzy, keep a good perspective.
But I did a practice run. Biography is not easy, and it involves getting inside someone's head and sometimes making assumptions about their feelings. I wrote a biography of my first cousin three times removed - Frank Leverett (1859-1943)(see post above). He was a famous geologist but also a family hero. He was worth paying tribute to because in short, whatever we know about the family we know because of him.
The biography wasn't easy and made me question whether I want to stay in the biography business. It didn't sell a whole bunch right off the bat either, though that may be typical for biography. There are good things about biography and bad, obviously, but I am limited in a couple obvious ways too.
First, it would have helped with Frank, if I went to Denver or East Lansing, to just look at all the papers. It seems like an obvious thing, but I said right from the start, I'm not going to do this. I just can't leave home. I've got four teenagers and a delicate balance relies on me.
Second, most authors invest in their project. Like I'm talking, buy a few dozen books, haul in the facts. In the case of Mr. Fleck and Ms. Washburn a minimum investment would be a trip to someplace where his tour lands, and an interview, probably a motel room and a dozen meals on the road. I figured I could do this, or set up a zoom interview, but I'm not even sure about that. I so far have not invested big money into any of my books. I'm not sure if I'm willing, much less able, to do that here. Willing, yes, I'd love to meet him. But you look at a tenuous household budget with teenagers, going to college, and it may not stay that way.
Anyway, thought I'd let you know how the mulling is going. I love music - I'm still not hearing it well - and want to stay involved in it some way or another. When I get computers in my ears it will be a whole new ball game. For now, it's trying to stay on my feet, not get dizzy, keep a good perspective.
posted by tom at 10:31 AM
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