Driving With Jane

Someone once gave me the CDs (about eight hours worth) of Jane Fonda’s autobiography My Life So Far , and a few weeks ago I began to listen to them in the car. I’d never tried any books on tape before.  My friends Carol and Cy who take a lot of road trips do this all the time – and they listen to geographically appropriate authors. Tony Hillerman as they drive through New Mexico, Willa Cather in Nebraska etc.  I never thought I wanted to do this until listening to Jane.

Okay, maybe the drive up into the mountains hearing about her Viet Nam days seemed to go on forever (though anyone still mad at her about Viet Nam should really read/listen to her side of it), but then there's all the juicy Ted Turner stuff, and also some really good insights about love and marriage. The thing that surprises me the most is that I look forward to getting in the car and hearing what Jane is up to in her life and in her emotional journey, which she's divided into three acts. She’s become my traveling companion.

Driving to the gym at 6:00 this morning in the dark with Jane, now into the third act of her life, I thought I’m going to use this in class sometime. In personal non-fiction I’m going to come up with an exercise about this.

Think about your life in acts - which act are you in? And would you write your life into three acts or four?  And let us know if you listen to tapes or CD’s of books in your car –what are favorites?

Comments

[Rebecca Laffar-Smith]

I keep meaning to listen to some books on tape/cd but never seem to get around to it. I've also been thinking I should stock my MP3 player with podcasts so I can listen while I'm out walking/working out but I forget to do that too.

I don't know if I could divide the chapters and acts of my life until I've finished living it. There are moments of reflection that pull together the threads of a haphazard plotline but I suspect until the climax has been reached and death upon me I won't see the full picture. Without the full picture there is no way to really know which events held the most meaning and how my life would be divided. Obviously, I have no plans to write a memoir.

[Debra]

I've only listened to one book on tape on a 12 hour trip to Oregon. I listened to "The Secret Life of Bees" by Sue Monk Kidd. The reader was amazing, although I can't remember her name now. It was the shortest and most memorable 12 hour trip I've ever made. Debra

[Tom Kappel]

Life is definitely divided into phases of major chapters complete with characters, scenes, and you as the thread running throughout the whole book. If you don’t recognize the pattern yet you’re probably not very far into your own book.

I, on the other hand am probably like Jane Fonda and in the last part of my book. I hope it to be a long chapter, but I will just have to write it out day by day. Oh, it’s definitely an adventure story plus by the way! I’ll just keep writing.

[lorenstephens]

I listen to Great Lectures -- most recently the history of the Americal musical theatre from vaudeville, etc. through Sondheim. So great. I find that listening to cds just puts me to sleep, but if I am driving, there is no risk of that happening, and somehow I can concentrate on the road and content at the same time. Wonder why that is so when research says that that talking on the phone and driving is equivalent to driving under the influence of alcohol. Maybe the act of listening is not intoxicating whereas talking is -- sort of like being "intoxicated" with the sound of your own voice, a trap that I sometimes fall into.
Does Jane Fonda write about the new man in her life??? Apparently she has replaced Ted Turner with someone very kind and attractive. Wishing everyone a great third act and a Happy New Year. Loren Stephens

[Sophia]

Hi Barbara. Greetings for the new year! I always thought 3 was the magic number? Completion and all that good stuff? With that being said, I guess I'd take whatever it is I'm writing about, and cut it into thirds.

I'm a big fan of books on tape. But my new habit is listening to Julia Cameron's "Walking in this World" - while walking. I love it. She has such great advice for writers.

[Jo]

just picked up "courage & craft" yesterday!!! (at b&n)

i haven't yet listened to any books on tape though it's been in the back of my mind to try out! (another thing to add to the 'to do' list?!)

i haven't thought of my life in the way of acts before. i guess this would be the 2nd act though. i'll have to give this a bit more thought!

just wanted to pass along best wishes for the new year to you, your family and all the readers!

[Barbara]

Rebecca - No need to write your life into chapters or acts if you don't write personal non-fiction -
(but interesting to think about sometimes)
Debra - Yes - amazing how fast a trip goes when you're listening to a good book.
Tom - Keep writing your adventure!
Loren - Great idea. (And no, she didn't write about the new guy but I heard her mention him on Larry King one night.)
Sophia - Another good idea - listen while walking.
Jo - thanks for the good wishes - (and for buying the book!)

[Harriet Eilber]

Hi Barbara and Happy New Year,
Gave your book to several friends for Christmas.

I have been listening to books for years. First to books on tapes and then as they went out my husband literally dragged me to the Mac Store to get an ipod which I so did not want. But once I passed the learning curve on how to download books from Audible com I use my ipod for listening to books. I must have 30 to 40 books on it at any one time. I started listening when my walking patner died about ten years ago -- my sons suggestion so I wouldn't get lonely. Then I got hooked. I listen everywhere. In the car, while cooking, cleaning (when I do) on airplanes --- in the middle of the night when I cannot sleep. I still read all the time and just finished Three Cups of Tea which I recommend to everyone -- non-fiction and well done and timely and amazing story.

I would be lost without my books to listen to --- with all the bad news on the TV, we no longer watch it unless UCLA is playing so the books just roll on.

Charlie Wilsin's War in the unabridgred version is an amazing listen, got to be way better than the shortened version made into a movie --- always get the unabridiged versions. Audible.com is a great place for get books for your ipod. Has memberships etc.

All best --- love your website and email alerts when there is a new entry to read.
Harriet

ps -- wish this had spell check

[harriet eilber]

gave my wrong email address with my comment

[Barbara]

Harriet - Happy New Year to you too and thanks for buying the book! (and for the comments about listening to books on your ipod.)