I was 16 years old and I was madly, hopelessly in love with the books of Ray Bradbury. My first Bradbury paperback was given to me by my 7th grade English teacher, who recognized that the assigned reading material was below my reading and comprehension level. I know this sounds like I'm bragging, but books had been a huge part of my childhood and adolescence...something which I credit my mother for, and appreciate immensely. I can honestly say that there has never been a time in my life where I haven't been in the middle of a book.
The book I was given by my teacher was Dandelion Wine...and I loved it. From there I read and reread any work by Ray Bradbury I could get my hands on. I don't know what it was about his books that enthralled me so, but I think it has something to do with the strange, mysterious, and fantastical plots seeming so much more feasible and realistic than everyday life did. Like at any point I could be zapped into another dimension, and it would be the most normal thing in the world and make more sense than my miserable, suburban life did. I've only ever felt that from one other author (Haruki Murakami). I've always been a daydreamer...these books just fueled that.
So at 16, when I read in the paper that Ray Bradbury would be speaking at the UCLA book fair, well I freaked the fuck out. Although it was weeks away, I didn't stop thinking about it once. I wrote a 3 page letter to Mr. Bradbury, detailing what his books meant to me, and how they affected me. Although I didn't have a driver's license yet, my mother agreed to let me take her car so that I could take the hour trip to Los Angeles alone. That was something I was adamant about: taking this trip by myself. My best friend offered to accompany me, but I knew I wanted to remember that day as a solo experience.
The day of my trip was sunny and beautiful. I wore my very favorite vintage dress, with my hair in two cute buns, and my sister's vintage platform wedges. I got to UCLA right as Mr. Bradbury's forum was starting. Although it was free, the hall was full and the security guard said he couldn't let me in. I felt my heart drop, then out of nowhere blurted "my mother is inside, I just need to grab something from her". He probably knew I was lying, but to his credit, he let me in. I sat transfixed as Ray Freaking Bradbury spoke about writing, sci-fi, his childhood, and answered questions from the audience. My heart was pounding as I knew I would have to build up my courage shortly to hand him my letter.
When the forum ended, and the hall had cleared out, I approached the stage where he was answering questions from a smattering of journalists. I waited patiently until he looked my way, and I handed him my letter with a huge grin on my face. He took it, thanked me, and I walked away. I carried my shoes and walked barefoot to the car, as my feet were killing me...but honestly, I was floating on air.
Two weeks later I received a package in the mail from Mr. Bradbury. Inside was a sweet note telling me he appreciated my letter, as well as a few books including his own Zen and the Art of Writing, in which he had inscribed "Onward Georgia!".
7 comments:
Awww, that is a very beautiful story. It reminds me a story that I heard Judd Apatow (40 Year Old Virgin, Freaks and Geeks, etc, etc) tell about meeting his hero, Steve Martin, as a kid. He was from the east coast, and came to visit his aunt out here, and they drove by Steven Martin's house and sure enough, he was outside washing his car! So a little Judd approached him and asked for an autograph. Steve Martin told him that he couldn't because he didn't want more people coming up to his house and asking for autographs. So a few days later, a crushed little Judd wrote him a letter where he threatened to tell all the kids in his school about how much of a jerk(no pun intended)he was and that he liked giving out autographs in front of his house. So a few weeks go by and a big package from Steve Martin arrives at his house and a note saying: "I'm sorry, I didn't know I was talking to THE Judd Apatow. - Steve".
That's a sweet story as well...although I haven't yet grown up to be a famous writer, so the weight of my story is a little less hefty.
Ray Bradbury is wonderful and so gracious! A few years ago when i was at Comic Con, i was running around for four days, jammed pack with meetings, parties, and comic bookery junk, i literally ran into Ray Bradbury about 7 times. It was mortifying at first as i slammed into his wheelchair but after the third time he just patted my hand and winked at me.
He's so rad.
Yeah, okay...while I can appreciate that this "Ray" guy was cool or whatever--- "the best day of your life"? What about that time we went to Target?! That was amazing.
PS- What r bookz? This post inspired me to pick up the novel I've been neglecting to finish. High five!
What a wonderful experience. You've become a terrific story teller and writer in those ten years. I'm sure Ray Bradbury would agree. You always had your face in a book as a kid ever since you started to read.
That is a great fucking story. And "Onward Georgia!" is a brilliant inscription. :)
I had a similar experience meeting Tom Robbins when I was 18 or so. For like two minutes, it felt like we were friends, and I thought that was the coolest thing in the whole wide world.
Books!
Georgia! What a wonderful experience. You have certainly become an impressive writer yourself. I, too, like the inscription of "Onward Georgia!" Where else can we be guaranteed to go, but onward with each day.
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