Ann Patchett and Her Dog Sparky

Ann Patchett with SparkyAnn Patchett is the author of six novels, The Patron Saint of Liars, Taft, The Magician’s Assistant, Bel Canto, Run, and State of Wonder. I’ve read each one. She’s one of my favorite authors. I met her in Danville at a reading event for her collection of essays, This is the Story of a Happy Marriage. Today I heard her interviewed on NPR’s Fresh Air with Terry Gross.

Ann talked about her dog, Sparky, who works at her bookstore, Parnassus Books, in Nashville, Tennessee. Sparky greets customers with a big tail wag and drops to the floor to show his spotted tummy.  He sits on laps, plays with the children, and helps create a positive association with reading and with dogs. Sparky isn’t the only store dog. Ann’s co-owner, Karen Hayes, brings Lexington to help at the store too. Sparky and Lexington

When asked what her work day is like, Patchett said she takes Sparky out for a walk, makes breakfast for her husband and Sparky, and starts to write at around 8:30. Non-fiction is easier for her to write than fiction. When she wrote Bel Canto, she played an aria that the character, Roxanne Coss, sang in a particular scene, otherwise, she doesn’t like to listen to music when she writes or reads.

Ann edited Best American Short Stories 2006. She says “A short story captures the very specific moment in time when things turn. In a novel, that could be many years. In a story, it pulls those years into a single instance.” In 2012, Ann was named by Time Magazine as one of the most influential people in the world.

Ann Patchett in winterAnn Patchett's Sparky sitting in bookstoreAnn Patchett's Sparky

Here is a link to Ann Patchett on the Colbert Report. Worth watching since she has him speechless. thecolbertreport.cc.com/videos/tqad40/annpatchett

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4 Responses to Ann Patchett and Her Dog Sparky

  1. Another fantastic post, Julaina. I LOVE Ann Patchett, thanks to your recommendation, and to see her snap Colbert’s jaw shut on the video was a thing of beauty. Thanks.

    • Thanks, Ladywinfred. I didn’t know she had been named one of the most influential people in the world by Time Magazine. What an honor and well deserved. I watched the Colbert video several times and always laughed. Patchett is a great speaker if you ever get a chance to go to one of her signings. I hope she’ll write another novel soon.

  2. Thanks for an inspiring post. I pray that Ann’s on to something.

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