Writers' Night Out

Tonight an author whose books I've enjoyed over the years spoke at a nearby church. I bought tickets way in advance, and my friends and I arrived early to get good seats.

The author: Anne Lamott.

Okay, I know there will be readers who find this delightful and others who may be shocked. From what I understand, her outspoken political views and generous theology have made her controversial in Evangelical circles.

But I overlook the naughty words that pop up here and there in some of her books, and take what's helpful and true from her work. She's honest. She tells a great story, or two, or three in her messages--many in her books. She knows what it's like to be at the bottom--it fills her with compassion for people. For all of her insecurities and neuroses, however, she's strong and opinionated. In her writing and when she speaks, this apparent contradiction brings a refreshing balance to what she communicates.

Two years ago my friend Beth and I drove all the way to Chicago to hear Anne speak, so this was much more convenient. The venue was packed, too. I was happy for Anne. In fact, it seemed packed with people who were hanging on her every word, laughing at every joke, nodding at every wise observation.

She repeated some statements and stories Beth and I had heard in Chicago:

For writers: Always carry a pen. When ideas and inspiration come to us, we need to stay receptive and always carry a pen to capture it. If we don't, after a while God might stop sending all of those ideas and inspiration our way and start sending them over to that cute little Anne Lamott instead...because she has a pen.

For everyone: You are so loved and so chosen.

For everyone: Whatever you do, wear comfortable pants. She read from a commencement address she gave at the University of California at Berkeley in 2003. "Refuse to wear uncomfortable pants," she said, "even if they make you look really thin. Promise me you'll never wear pants that bind or tug or hurt, pants that have an opinion about how much you've just eaten."

For writers especially, but in a way for everyone: This world is a mess. It's odd. Our lives are messy and we fail. When we fail, however, that's when we learn. It's when we have something worthwhile to say. (I'm paraphrasing from memory.)

There were a thousand other things she said that struck me at the moment she uttered them. I hope some of them come to me tomorrow.

She signed books. People stood in line to meet her.

My friends and I decided to just swing by the refreshment table, drink some punch, eat some cookies, and head on home. Refreshment for the body to accompany Anne's refreshment for the mind.