Just for fun, “Time to Say Goodnight”, also known as The Bellagio Song:
February 3, 2009
February 19, 2008
The man can drink coffee . . .
Over the weekend, my friend and I drove out to Santa Monica to meet Tim Hallinan, author of several novels and fellow Dickens Challenger. He selected the location, The Novel Cafe, where he does most of his writing when he’s in town.
I was very nervous about meeting him, so I brought my friend (screen name: Angel) with me. The minute he walked into the courtyard, I recognized him from the photo on his website (www.TimothyHallinan.com). As I extended my hand to greet him, he pushed right past it and enveloped me in a warm, welcoming hug. I realized I had nothing to be nervous about. I introduced Angel, who also received a hug, and then he gave me a copy of his next book, The Fourth Watcher.
After he ordered a tureen-sized coffee, we discovered he and Angel had friends in common, and then spent the next few minutes playing who/where/when . . . It was fun to listen and watch how animated he is when he speaks. The word sparkly comes to mind. He told us about the book he just finished, Bad Money. It sounds like it’s going to be another great novel.
Angel had a lot of questions about how he comes up with his ideas, how he writes, etc. He patiently and quite generously answered all our questions. Then he asked if I wouldn’t mind loaning him my copy of A Nail Through The Heart, so he could sign it for the waitress at The Novel Cafe. She was almost delirious with gratitude, as you can see in the photo below.
After a second tureen-sized cup of coffee, we drove him home and he replaced my copy of his book. I can’t imagine meeting a more genuine, generous, sparkly guy — AND he’s one heck of a good writer!
