David Sedaris

/ Jeff Cann

I saw David Sedaris read again last night. How many times now? Three come to mind easily. The time in DC, George Washington University. We didn’t have tickets. A rumor spread, more seating would open up, people should wait at the door. Susan and I got there first, the front of the line. Our friend Lloyd had the same idea. He showed up with a date. The four of us hung out for hours hoping to score tickets. They set up additional seats in an aisle ten rows from the stage. Among the best seats in the house. The show was a blast. I laughed so hard, I almost wet myself.

That time we saw him in Frederick, Maryland, after we moved to Gettysburg. I liked that one too, but not like the time at George Washington. No one forgets their first time, that’s how the saying goes, right? That first time was magical, no topping that. I saw him another time, too, I think. I can’t remember where. That night was flat. Either he was off his game or I was. I strained to hear. I hadn’t bought hearing aids yet. I don’t think I got my money’s worth.

Last night Susan, Eli and I went to the Majestic Theater in Gettysburg. I have no idea why an irreverent, gay author would come to my tiny conservative town, but he sold out the show. He read three new stories and a mess of diary entries. God, he can write. I enjoyed going with my teenage son. In an auditorium full of forty to seventy-year-olds, Eli stood out. He saw his government teacher there. “I think I’ll talk with him about it on Monday. Probably good for some extra points.”

A few weeks back, Alafair Burke, an author, came to speak at the library where I work. Cocktails, a book signing, a reading. Sort of a swanky event, we made some money on it and proved our value to our donors. I had to work. Susan and Eli came for the show. Walking out, Eli told me how much he loved it. I really like who my kids have become. As we wrapped up the night, with Alafair saying her goodbyes to a gushing staff, I said “Even my seventeen year old son loved it.”

“Wow, that’s a tough audience. Thanks for telling me that.” Maybe it’s not as tough as she thought. Did I mention that I like who my kids have become?

Last Christmas, Susan bought me a Master Class session with David Sedaris. Six hours online with Sedaris teaching hacks like me to become better writers. I’m not sure I got much out of it. He didn’t tell me anything new. “Just write,” he said. “Write every day.” A couple of years ago, I read his book “Theft by Finding.” Four hundred pages of diary entries from when he first started writing through the middle phase of his career so far. It was easy to track his growth as a writer. Early on, the book was a bunch of terse observations. By the end of the book, each entry as clever and thoughtful as his published essays.

Sedaris is the reason I became a writer. He showed me that I could draw from episodes in my life and write them into stories. I’ll never be as observant or wry as Sedaris, but I think I’ve become a clear and consistent writer, and I’m able to tell relatable stories.

When I published my first book, the local ‘arts council’ arranged a book-launch reading. A well-publicized event with the weight of a respected organization behind it, people packed the room, I read two stories and answered questions. What a rush. A few weeks later I tried to repeat the experience at an artsy bar. I wound up reading to my brother, Susan’s parents and one friend. I haven’t read in public since.  

With last night’s show approaching, I’ve been thinking more about public reading. I recently told Sophie I’d like to produce a podcast of one of my essays. She thought that sounded like a cool idea. By chance a blogger I follow released a podcast and described the app she used to produce it. So here it is, the Other Stuff on Spotify, I read my story What’s a Bit. If you listen to it on Spotify, It includes a couple of related songs. If you don’t subscribe to Spotify, you get only me.

A blog is a ridiculous place to publicize this podcast. I already know everyone here is more likely to open a browser and read the story, but when I linked it on Facebook, I only heard crickets. I’d like someone to hear it. I made an earlier podcast, too, Dead Man in the Surf, but I recorded it on my phone (rather than using a microphone) and the clarity sucks. Plus Susan gave feedback that including an opening song without any introduction confused her.

Sedaris killed his reading last night. I loved all three of his stories. Each had a mature, comfortable pace and painted vivid pictures in my mind with prose. His diary entries had the whole place screaming with laughter. If you’re unfamiliar with David Sedaris’ writing, here’s an excerpt from one of my favorite stories: Dinah the Christmas Whore.

33 thoughts on “David Sedaris”

  1. I agree, David Sedaris is very entertaining. I’ve only heard radio broadcasts; lucky you to see a live performance.
    Anyway, the good news is that I only get you if I don’t subscribe to Spotify. So I will line up your podcast for the trip to my next client.
    Cheers
    DD

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • Thanks for the podcast promo Jeff. You achieved something remarkable: I logged in and finally used my Spotify account, an account I’ve had for 12 years. Well possibly not 12 years, but close. Twelve just sounds right to the lizard part of the brain, or so I reckon.

      It’s good stuff this other stuff.
      Thanks,
      DD

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      • Thanks DD. Mixed feelings about promoting the podcast. Lots of time went into it, but I hate begging people to listen. I actually just got my first spotify account not too long ago (a paid version because since both of my kids want accounts, we just got a family plan. I absolutely love it. It’s like I’ve got every song ever recorded at my finger tips.

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply

        • I’ve used Internet radio for years now. I thought I would use Spotify when it came preloaded on yet another unit for my house but when I read the terms and conditions I never bothered to activate. An extraordinary Russian Internet radio station met nearly all my music needs beyond my CD/digital collection but I have boycotted them since the invasion of Ukraine.

          Liked by 1 person

  3. I love Sedaris! And it’s no surprise to me at all that he’s been an influence on you. You definitely have your own style, but now that you mention it, the line to D.S. is clear. The wry wit, the way that the big moment of soul-revelation tends to come at the end of a piece that seems to focus mainly on humorous aspects. The way that the soul-searcher lives in the same room as the person with a deep appreciation for the absurd. Cheering with recognition now, and cheering your new podcast!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    • The Sedaris trick I’ve most obviously stolen in in the middle of a story I’ll hit a full stop and start of on a completely new tangent that will ultimately be marginally related. It’s a little shameless how I stole that convention from him, but it’s the aspect I love most about his stories.

      Like

      Reply

    • I think there’s a free version of spotify that includes commercials, but I don’t know anything about it. I’m a complete loser when it comes to tech. I even needed susan to help me set up my blog. I was really impressed with myself that I figured out how to use the podcast app by myself.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  5. I adore David Sedaris. ADORE.
    Also, now that I’ve heard your voice on this podcast, I guess I’ll be able to read all your posts now in the right voice. 🙂
    12 fingers. I like this concept. And it makes perfect sense.
    Maybe it wasn’t an alien, but a polydactyl human genius?

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • Yee. I hope my blog isn’t spoiled now by having a voice besides the one in your head. Of course, I hate to hear my voice. So obviously, this post is satire, but I’ve long held the belief that “God” is simply an alien. There was a Star Trek episode that put that idea in my head when I was about 6.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      • I think I know the episode you’re referring to!
        Never spoiled because there was no real voice before, and now there is, so it’s better. Your voice matches what I’d imagined of you, so that’s always a pleasant surprise.

        Like

        Reply

  6. Sounds like someone I should investigate, Jeff. Thanks for that.
    Interested in the podcast idea too; something I’ve been pondering just this week, so that’s synchronicity. The interpersonal part of me would like to hear your voice, while the reader/writer part isn’t sure I want the words coloured by dialect. And anyway, Keith Jarrett is playing right now. Will sleep on that one!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    • For me, the podcast idea started when you told me your son said that blogs were dead. I can’t see that it’s something I’d do a lot (definitely not weekly), it was fairly time consuming, but I enjoyed the experience. You’re right about putting a voice to how you already read me. It might spoil the vibe. Plus, my diction is really sloppy.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  7. I read a brief interview between DS and George Saunders last week at the back of Saunders’s Tenth of December collection. Neither of them plot their stories; they say they both just put a line of dialogue or a scene down and build outwards. I just can’t believe that! I guess it’s inspiring in a way, too. Couldn’t finish Theft by Finding for some reason though it’s good to hear the stories develop by the end. I put in a few hundred pages effort but perhaps will finish. Yes, he’s a great inspiration and reader/writer for sure. Was doing pre-tour readings out here in Seattle back in January but I was still spooked about crowded indoor seating then, my loss. Glad to see you’re dipping into audio too, that’s cool, and thanks for the share. Have always thought about that myself.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • That’s essentially how I write too. On a rare occasion I’ll have a few general ideas to form an outline, but usually, I just write a line of prose and see where I wind up. It’s rarely where I think I will. I loved theft by finding. He mentioned the other night that he has a second book of diary entries spanning the second half of his career. I’m looking forward to reading that.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  9. Well, I’ve learned a lot today. I’d never heard of David Sedaris, so I had to google him for a start. From the little I read about him, I can see the appeal. I’ve also learned that the American measurement system isn’t solely worked out in units of ten. Although the UK now uses metric measurements, it’s not always the case. The younger generation was brought up using the metric system, whereas anyone who remembers going decimal in 1965 (I think) is older (goes without saying). I tend to use metric apart from miles per hour; a kilometre means diddly-squat to me!

    I enjoyed your post and podcast, too, although I must say, hearing your voice with an American accent threw me at first! I’ve never imagined you with an accent for someone absurd reason, so it came as a surprise. You do have a good recording/spoken voice, though. I managed to listen on Spotify even though I had no idea I subscribed to it! I got a bit of the songs, too! You should do more recording, Jeff. You’re good at it. Perhaps, you could blog a recording each time you post something. I’ve seen other bloggers do this with great success.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • I don’t have an accent, you have an accent. 🙂 Your comment was jarring, in a good way. People in America make reference to ‘a British accent’ all the time (almost always in a positive way). It didn’t occur to me that people in England would consider us accented as well – but of course it makes perfect sense. I don’t really think of accents when I read blogs–with the exception of Australian accents. For some reason my mind inserts those on the Aussie blogs I read.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      • You are quite right, Jeff. I hadn’t thought of it from your point of view (or anyone else’s with a different accent to mine). My sister has been in Australia for over 30 years so has an Aussie accent, although, she still has a touch of the Brit in her. Perhaps, my mind will slip in an American accent when I’m reading your posts in future. We’ll see. You have a good recording voice, by the way.

        Like

        Reply

  10. I don’t have an accent, you have an accent. 🙂 Your comment was jarring, in a good way. People in America make reference to ‘a British accent’ all the time (almost always in a positive way). It didn’t occur to me that people in England would consider us accented as well – but of course it makes perfect sense. I don’t really think of accents when I read blogs–with the exception of Australian accents. For some reason my mind inserts those on the Aussie blogs I read.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • Thanks for listening! For stability of grip, having six fingers including 2 opposable thumbs work work better IMO. I’m on the fence whether I’ll do another podcast. I’m happy I made a couple, but I don’t see much benefit for what I’m doing over writing. Plus, time consuming, at least for me.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

        • According to Anchor, my two podcasts have had 6 and five respectively. Of those 11, two are mine, three or four are my direct family and I think my brother listened to one. I guess the rest are bloggers who read this post. What I really DON”T need is another set of stats to obsess over. I’ll only post again if I really get a hankering to. I’ll need to get my own microphone though, I ‘borrowed’ one from work. Do you use a microphone? For me, the sound was much better., That article was interesting. Glad I could send you down a rabbit hole.

          Liked by 1 person

        • I did get a mic, but recorded the first episode on my iPhone and that wasn’t too bad. Agreed about obsessing over stats. I also think that podcasts are a whole new place to try and break into and it may or may not be worth it!!

          Liked by 1 person

Leave a Reply

Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in:

Gravatar
WordPress.com Logo

You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. ( Log Out /  Change )

Twitter picture

You are commenting using your Twitter account. ( Log Out /  Change )

Facebook photo

You are commenting using your Facebook account. ( Log Out /  Change )

Cancel

Connecting to %s