My son, who is as focused on music as I am on writing, chastises me about not knowing what singers are in which band, who wrote or performed my favorite music, and other things like that. I am lucky to remember the NAME of the song, much less all that other information. I am purely into the entertainment/enjoyment factor.
And recently I was asked to name my favorite books. I have three, so I started to relay the information. I had to stop and look up the author of one of them – a book that I’ve read seven or eight times. That’s when I realized I am the same way about books. With few exceptions, I remember plots and characters, but not the authors, and sometimes not even the name of the book. Good books, that I really enjoy. I get totally wrapped up in the stories, not the details. 
I like to use the excuse that my brain can only hold so much information, and, as one of my bosses used to say, why memorize something that you can easily look up?, but in reality I know it’s inattentiveness and self-absorbed-ness on my part. As a writer, I can only wish/hope that I develop a fan base of readers for whom the time between my publications is a wasteland. Kind of makes me hypocritical, doesn’t it?
The passing of Elmore Leonard led me to a conversation with a friend and I confessed I wasn’t familiar with the man. Friend replied Sure you are! and sent me an article on Leonard. No, I hadn’t read many of his works, but yes, I had seen movies made from them.
Maurice Sendek
In the past few years we have lost literary giants, and I remember as I read memorial articles on them at their passing, I thought 1) Hey – he wrote that book that I liked! or 2) I always meant to read that! Out of curiosity, I researched losses in the literary world just since 2010, and was overwhelmed by the list*. It contains poets, journalists, authors from all around the world, and I honestly don’t recognize most of the names. And I found a few that I recognized but didn’t even remember had died.
Maybe that’s a good thing. Their works live on in our memories, in libraries, in book stores…the writers’ version of life everlasting. But it’s a sad truth, too.
Resolved: To be aware of, and appreciate, the creators – the writers, composers, and performers - that make my life an enjoyable adventure. They deserve – no, EARNED – all the credit. Without their art, my world would be very empty.
R.I.P. – and thanks for all the good works.
*The ones I mention would, perhaps, not be the ones you would choose, but here are a few photos. Just the tip of the iceberg. BTW – I knew these had gone…
I’ve never been too up on group names, etc. Just always knew which songs I like. My youngest has a band and works for a radio station. He would agree with your son about me!
Good post. I thought I was signed up to receive your blog, but guess I didn’t do it right before. I think I managed tonight!
Really enjoyed this post. I admit, I have the same problem of remembering stories and plots over authors. Except for Pearl S. Buck – my alltime favorite writer. You have a way of hitting the nail on the head.
Recently, I found this quote on WordPress by Elmore Leonard–”I try to leave out the parts that people skip.” Good advice for writers. I made a note of this only days before I learned of his passing.