From Gilmore Girls to Gilmore Girls
Talking as fast as you can, is a signature facet of the beloved series Gilmore Girls. It is an endearing component for those of us who love the show, and miss it’s weekly appearance on our TV. Talking fast and lengthy dialogue is an example of what shouldn’t have worked, but what totally did. A bit like having a conversation after way too many cups of coffee – which many of us can identify with on a daily basis. The show ran from 2000 – 2007 with the follow up show, A Year in the Life premiering in 2016 almost a decade after the first show ended.
In her book, Talking As Fast As I Can; From Gilmore Girls to Gilmore Girls (Published in 2017, Ballantine Books), author and actress Lauren Graham (Lorelai Gilmore) gives us a behind the scene look at her career, as well as a glimpse into the process for the revisit show, Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life.
Personal Connection
One of the reasons I loved this fast talking, fast moving show, was the rich connection between Lorelai and Rory. My daughter was about 15 – 17 years old during the time it originally aired. I could identify with the interactions of a mom and her daughter and the struggles of boys, college and life choices. I hated seeing the story come to an end.
Fast forward – and yes, I recognize that I am four years late watching A Year in the Life, imagine my delight when it popped up on my Netflix feed one rainy weekend. Can you say “binge watch!” I immersed myself in the familiarity of Stars Hollow once again, and loved everything about the remake. The format of the passing seasons, the opportunity to catch up on what had happened to my favorite characters, and the beautiful, engaging story-line all pulled me in as if it had only a week or two since I last watched. And the ending….I won’t say more.
When I saw this book in my e-book list, I knew I had to read it. I do love Lauren Graham as an actress and enjoy seeing her in other works after Gilmore Girls. But, I knew very little about her personally. The book, Talking As Fast As I Can shares her life growing up, her career struggles, and her Gilmore Girls stories that we DON’T see on the screen.
A message to Writers
Lauren writes a bit like she talks as Lorelai, so hang on to your hats if you’re going to read this fascinating some-what biography. I hate to admit that I did not know she was such a fascinating and prolific writer and this aspect of the book I found encouraging. Her real-life struggles to meet deadlines and overcome doubt and extreme writer’s block spoke to my heart and soul. She shares in the book a meeting with Don Roos, screen-writer extraordinaire. He gives her some solid advice on how to stay focused to meet impending writer goals. It is the principle of the Kitchen Timer.
“every writer deserves a definite and doable way of being and feeling successful every day. To do this, we learn to judge ourselves on behavior rather than content. We set up a goal for ourselves as writers that is easy measurable, free of anxiety, and, above all, pail-proof, because everyone can sit, and an hour will always pass.”
Truly, I have to admit that I’ve printed this off and am working towards making it my “plan of action” for my own writing projects. It is so easy to get distracted when in the middle of writing. Now where was I?
Oh yes, Lauren Graham and Talking As Fast As I Can delighted me on so many levels. Gilmore Girls nostalgia, life-lessons + life-stores, and encouragement for my writing career.
Talking As Fast As I Can! Pick it up today, and see if you can keep up.
–Connie
p.s. in case you are interested, here is the link to an audio excerpt read by Lauren herself.
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