2008 Woodie Awards
'God of War' author visits LAC
Viviana Gonzalez
Issue date: 5/8/08 Section: News
Author Marisa Silver visited the LAC on Tuesday, May 6 in the English Lounge to read an excerpt from her novel "The God Of War" just released April 29 by Simon and Schuster. The event was sponsored by the LBCC Foundation.
English teacher Christina Guillen introduced Silver and wanted to bring the author to campus after becoming a fan of her first book and went to one of her signings.
"I read a Los Angeles Times article about her first novel "No Direction Home" and drove far to hear her read, " Guillen said.
Silver, a former screenwriter and director, went to graduate school and earned her Master of Fine Arts degree and decided to become a writer.
"I published my first fiction story in New Yorker magazine and released "No Direction Home" in 2005. I plan on going on tour to sign books and read excerpts at bookstores," said Silver.
"The God of War" takes place by California 's Salton Sea in 1978. The book is narrated by the 12-year-old character Aries, a boy who is mentally impaired who lived with his mother, whom he felt didn't understand him.
Silver read her excerpt, which contained vividly pictured details that captured the emotion.
Silver said, "I felt like the energy of the book was on Aries, who gained some independence from his mother. Laurel (the mother) is a mistrustful, but loving mother who is unwilling to open him up to the world."
After the excerpt, a question-and-answer-discussion included a question on whether the character Aries was autistic.
"Aries was autistic. The mother in the book refuses to have him diagnosed and the boy blames the autism on himself," Silver said.
Another question a member of the audience asked to Silver was if writing drafts for the book was difficult.
"Re-writing drafts is a long process and it is a way to discover your book, which can be fun, " Silver said.
Silver's inspiration for the book was the California landmark, Salton Sea, because the people who lived there were interesting.
After the event, Silver signed copies of her book.
A new fan of Silver, LBCC student Nicole DeLeon, purchased her autographed book and said, "Her unique style was so intriguing and she inspires me as a writer."
Cookies and soda were served for the audience.
Silver's site may be viewed at marisasilver.com
English teacher Christina Guillen introduced Silver and wanted to bring the author to campus after becoming a fan of her first book and went to one of her signings.
"I read a Los Angeles Times article about her first novel "No Direction Home" and drove far to hear her read, " Guillen said.
Silver, a former screenwriter and director, went to graduate school and earned her Master of Fine Arts degree and decided to become a writer.
"I published my first fiction story in New Yorker magazine and released "No Direction Home" in 2005. I plan on going on tour to sign books and read excerpts at bookstores," said Silver.
"The God of War" takes place by California 's Salton Sea in 1978. The book is narrated by the 12-year-old character Aries, a boy who is mentally impaired who lived with his mother, whom he felt didn't understand him.
Silver read her excerpt, which contained vividly pictured details that captured the emotion.
Silver said, "I felt like the energy of the book was on Aries, who gained some independence from his mother. Laurel (the mother) is a mistrustful, but loving mother who is unwilling to open him up to the world."
After the excerpt, a question-and-answer-discussion included a question on whether the character Aries was autistic.
"Aries was autistic. The mother in the book refuses to have him diagnosed and the boy blames the autism on himself," Silver said.
Another question a member of the audience asked to Silver was if writing drafts for the book was difficult.
"Re-writing drafts is a long process and it is a way to discover your book, which can be fun, " Silver said.
Silver's inspiration for the book was the California landmark, Salton Sea, because the people who lived there were interesting.
After the event, Silver signed copies of her book.
A new fan of Silver, LBCC student Nicole DeLeon, purchased her autographed book and said, "Her unique style was so intriguing and she inspires me as a writer."
Cookies and soda were served for the audience.
Silver's site may be viewed at marisasilver.com
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