Don't Forget to Say Thanks

Thought for the day:  Words are the most powerful drug used by mankind.  [Rudyard Kipling]

Yep, words are powerful. They can be wielded to create lasting images, to express and arouse heady emotions, and the most memorable of them may linger in our minds and hearts for a lifetime. But let's just consider two of them... the words thank you.

Although most people don't seem to place much value on handwritten thank you notes these days, I'm guessing that most of you spent time at the kitchen table as children, legs swinging and tongue peeking out the corner of your mouth, as you hunched over a sheet of paper and wrote those Christmas and birthday thanks for the swell socks and underwear messages. Some of you may have rebelled against the practice as adults, or maybe you're like me, and still think of thank you notes as an appropriate way to express appreciation, and still write them. (Minus the swinging legs and protruding tongue, of course.) But it wasn't until about a year ago that I realized I'd been terribly remiss in expressing another kind of thanks. Most of you are avid readers. Have you ever considered the idea that a book... any book... is like a gift to the world from its author? And maybe, just maybe, some thanks are in order?

                                                        And by thanks,  I mean ... a review.

You have no idea how very much writers crave and relish readers' reviews. Heck, that direct feedback from (hopefully) appreciative readers means more than the darned paycheck. (Okay, okay, okay, so maybe not to the millionaires...) But to most writers. And guess what? Through places like Amazon and Goodreads, it's oh-so-easy for anyone to publish a review these days, so you, too, can now send a thank you to your favorite writers.

Nowadays, I only review books I really like. It's cowardly, I know, but I figure it's not my job to make people unhappy. I'll leave that to the professionals.  [Meg Rosoff]

I'm kinda like Ms. Rosoff. I never sink my teeth into a book to draw blood, and have written only a handful of reviews with less than a three-star rating. When it comes to books written by fellow bloggers, I follow Thumper's philosophy: If ya can't say something nice, don't say nothing at all.  If I vehemently DO NOT LIKE a fellow blogger's book, I simply skip the review, and keep my mouth shut. Cowardly? Maybe, but why be intentionally hurtful, right? I know first-hand how much work goes into writing a book. (The downside of that is when I know someone has my book and never says beans about it, I don't know if that means that person isn't into writing reviews, or they vehemently DO NOT LIKE my work, and I should maybe consider taking my untalented butt to the nearest bridge and jumping off.)  

Abuse is often of service. There is nothing so dangerous to an author as silence.  [Samuel Johnson]

Believe it or not, a writer's delight in receiving feedback doesn't end with the achievement of fame and fortune. Prolific author Joyce Carol Oates said,  A good sympathetic review is always a wonderful surprise. How about that? Even Joyce Carol Oates does a happy dance when she gets a good review. And, what's more... she's surprised. 

So, bottom line, please consider writing a review for the next book you read... it doesn't have to be fancy or long... to express your appreciation. Many writers have actually thanked me for reviews I've written, so it really does matter to them, and not just to their egos. In today's world, it also matters to their Amazon ranking. Pure and simple, the more reviews a book has on Amazon, the higher it'll move up in the rankings. Fair? Maybe not. But that's the way it goes.

Now then, I'd like to tell you about a WONDERFUL book I won through one of the Goodreads giveaways. (By the way, readers who write timely reviews for the books they win through those giveaways have a better chance of winning more of them. I've won four since the beginning of the year.)

Anyhow, this book was an utter delight to read, and (no surprise) the pictures are fantastic, too. In his fifty plus years as a news photographer, Dennis Brack's camera has captured many important moments in history, and in Presidential Picture Stories, he offers intimate background stories behind some of the photos taken by him and other White House photographers. Not only does he provide the inside scoop on the photographs and photographers, but he also provides a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at Presidents Wilson through Obama... and some of their families. If you have an interest in historical tidbits, or have a thing for photography, you'll love this book. It's a quality piece of work, and one you can be be proud to add to your library. The only reason I gave it five stars is because that's as high as the rating system goes.

I'm pleased to say that Dennis, who still covers the White House,  returned home from a trip overseas just in time to respond to a handful of questions for this post. (What a guy!)

1. So how does a photographer end up with a coveted White House assignment? Did you shoot for that goal, or was it more a matter of serendipity and being in the right place at the right time? (Oh, yeah, and of course... talent.)

Basically, how do photographers get the White House assignment.  The photographers get the assignment when they are at the top of their game. Many wire service photographers have been in critical bureaus over the years.  Quite a few have come from bureaus in the Far East.  Others have come from cities across the US and have covered political campaigns.  For example Jim Bourg who is head of Reuters photos in DC came from  Boston and covered the primaries for years before coming to town . Brooks Kraft worked for TIME in the Boston area and is now in Washington.

2. Do you think having an artistic eye for capturing memorable photographs is basically an innate talent, or can it be learned?

A good eye helps, especially on feature pictures. J. Scott Applewhite is a good example.  Scotty had covered wars for the Associated Press for decades, (Scotty and I were the two pool photographers for the first days of  the first Gulf War... a wonderful man).  Now Scotty is assigned to Capitol Hill, but often you will see a fantastic feature picture in the papers by J.Scott Applewhite.  As you can see, I am a big fan.

3. Politics aside, which president did you photographers find to be the most approachable and cooperative? Which was the least? How about the spouses?

 No politics needed.  Bush 41 would be the favorite of most  photographers who have been around for a while.  Nancy Reagan would be the favorite First Lady.  Some presidents have been more difficult to cover.  President Carter cut the press office staff by 20% which led to poor advance work and poor pictures.  I doubt if any photographer was happy during that time. 

4. Of all the photographs you've taken, is there one that stands out in your mind as your best, and of which you're most proud? Tell us about it.  

Which of my photographs is the best. Standard answer: the Pulitzer Prize winning photo that I will take tomorrow.

[HERE'S one of Dennis' photos, showing the Reagans at Normandy. Amazing, isn't it?]

5. What was your favorite travel assignment in the line of duty? The most dangerous?

 Favorite travel assignment?  I spent a month with the Nelson Rockefellers in Seal Harbour, Maine right before he was picked to be Vice President.  I was working for TIME. In August, there were never any hotel rooms so the Rockefellers let the TIME reporter and me stay in their garage. Don't worry, a Rockefeller garage is not like an ordinary garage.

 Most dangerous?  All of the riots in the sixties.

6. Anything else you'd like to add?

The picture.  We have a saying.  "F8 and be there."  Being there is the most important part.

 *******

Many thanks to Dennis for taking the time to respond to these questions. He's a pretty cool dude, huh? (SEE what neat people you can meet by writing a review...?) And thank you, Dennis, for sharing so much with us with this wonderful book.

During his illustrious career, award-winning photojournalist (and pretty cool dude) Dennis Brack has covered ten presidential administrations and a host of major news stories all around the world. Those of you who live near the Austin, Texas area can see a collection of some of his photos at the Briscoe Center at the University of Texas, because in 2012, he donated a 150,000-slide archive to the center.

[I cannot say enough good things about this book. Really. Check it out on Amazon.]

*******

Because of the Goodreads giveaway for Hot Flashes and Cold Lemonade, my book is now considerably more well-traveled than I am. To tell the truth, I had some major concerns as to whether readers in Lithuania, the Netherlands, the Philippines, and Kenya would be able to relate to the story and my weird sense of humor, but to my surprise and delight, the Kenyan gentleman who won it has already written a lovely review. So Jeremiah... thank you. I hope you win many many more books.

One last thing. For all you folks who read e-books, check out Bookbub. Once you join and answer some questions about the kinds of books you most enjoy, you'll receive a daily email from them, listing a number of reduced price and FREE books. (I must confess; I'm addicted.) Oh, if you join, it sure would be nice if you wrote a review for any books you get through them. Authors pay a good bit of money to have their books listed on there, and often offer it to readers for FREE. So what's in it for them? Reviews, reviews, reviews... and a (woo HOO!) better ranking on Amazon.

**************

He was such a bad writer, they revoked his poetic license.  [Milton Berle]

Honest criticism is hard to take, particularly from a relative, a friend, an acquaintance, or a stranger.  [Franklin Jones]

Asking a working writer what he thinks about critics is like asking a lamppost how it feels about dogs.  [Christopher Hampton]

Confronted by an absolutely infuriating review it is sometimes helpful for the victim to do a little personal research on the critic. Is there any truth to the rumor that he had no formal education beyond the age of eleven? In any event, is he able to construct a simple English sentence? Do his participles dangle? When moved to lyricism, does he write, "I had a fun time."? Was he ever arrested for burglary? I don't know that you will prove anything this way, but it is perfectly harmless, and quite soothing. [Jean Kerr]

Nature fits all her children with something to do. He who would write and can't write can surely review.  [James Russell Lowell]

A good day is one where I can not just read a book, but write a review of it.  [Christopher Hitchens]

From the moment I picked up your book up until I laid it down, I convulsed with laughter. Someday, I intend on reading it.  [Groucho Marx]

I'm writing a book. I've got the page numbers done.  [Stephen Wright]

                                       
                                             So have you read any good books lately?

                                      Until next time, take care of yourselves. And each other.