Mister D: Topics discussed will be the writing life, a how-to to get started writing, the film with Bette and Helen Hunt, the release of the movie (currently scheduled for a Fall release), and her new book, “My Latest Grievance”
The Republican
Evening with author to aid Storrs Library
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
By DENISE FAVRO SCHWARTZ
LONGMEADOW – Northampton author Elinor Lipman will present an evening of entertaining dialogue in a benefit for the Storrs Library on March 31 from 7 to 9 p.m.
Coffee and desserts provided by Longmeadow’s Bon Vivant’s will be served. There will be a question-and-answer session following Lipman’s presentation. Signed copies of her books will be sold.
In an interview at the Hotel Northampton recently, Lipman said she will discuss “the writing life, how to get started in writing” and her novels, including her most recent, “My Latest Grievance” and her first, “Then She Found Me” which is in film post-production. Helen Hunt directed the film and starred in its lead role. Bette Midler and Colin Firth are also cast. The film is scheduled for release in the fall.
“I’ll talk about the film,” Lipman said, sipping skinny decaf latte. “It’s the thing!”
Written more than 18 years ago, “Then She Found Me” follows Lipman’s character April Epner through a period when her quiet and loving adoptive parents have just died and her birth mother, a brash TV talk show host, announces her existence and forever changes April’s world. The book combines Lipman’s deft use of dialog with characters who bring to mind people readers probably have met in their lives, whether they want to admit it or not. Though comedic in many ways, tough issues like adultery, loyalty, and loneliness surface in the book. Lipman’s good writing binds the layers of alternating emotion.
The author said that the film deviates from her novel in some ways but that Hunt’s changes make sense for the screen. Lipman said that she did not meet Hunt until one year ago although Hunt had optioned the novel years ago and the two had exchanged e-mail for some time before they met. “It was Christmas 2005 when I read the screenplay,” Lipman said. “I e-mailed her (Hunt) and said how much I liked it.”
“You have no idea how relieved I am,” Hunt e-mailed back.
Reservations for the event featuring Elinor Lipman must be made no later than March 17 by personal check made payable to the Friends of the Storrs Library. Checks should be sent to Karen Glass, 330 Merriweather Drive, Longmeadow, MA, 01106.
