Memoirs...think they are done?

I am not holding my breath that Melissa Gilbert will be writing her second book about LHOP any time soon, especially with her upcoming marriage, etc.
She mentioned it in passing on her twitter, "she hoped to get around to writing her new book", but as time goes on, interest will wane especially with Hallmark taking LHOP off the schedule.

Do you think the books have run dry? I doubt Karen Grassle or anyone else will if they haven't the last 30 years. I would have liked one from Karen or Matt but alas, they had other ideas or couldn't get publisher to be interested. Today if you don't talk about abuse or sex for at least 50% of the book, it wont flag any interest.

I feel, and this is just my opinion, if he hadn't left his wife, Micheal's children might have written books later about their Dad, but having to discuss that aspect might have been too much, especially for Cindy's kids.

I was really looking forward to MG"s book, because she was going to answer questions fans wrote her and always ask her about the show in all areas.
I felt with the length of the show, the love, the quality, there would have been more than the 3 from MSA, MG and Alison.

I think it's tough for private people like Dean Butler and Matt to open themselves up. For Matt and Dean, being on the show was probably the highlight of their careers, unlike Karen, Missy Francis, Shannen Doherty, and Justin Bateman, who have continued to work in front of the camera or in theatre since then. That's not to belittle the work Dean and Matt have done, but they haven't led such high profile careers as some of the others. And like we saw with MSA's memoir, not being able to open yourself up is a detriment for a memoir. That's why people read them. MSA's memoir simply didn't offer what many fans were looking for. Alison's and Melissa Gilbert's memoirs let it all hang out. They shared many things about their private lives and about their time on the show.

I have Missy Francis's book here, but haven't had time to read it yet. But again, it tells about the hardships of being the daughter of a stage mother, an angle that offers new information.

So much has been written about Michael. I wonder if there's anything left to tell we don't already know. That might be part of why his children haven't bothered. For Melissa Gilbert, not only does the book seem to be a type of therapy for her, but it shattered that image people had of her as Laura Ingalls Wilder. I don't think any of us believed her to be as wholesome as the character she portrayed, but I do feel there were many surprises about who she really is. The language she used was enough to curl your hair. For Alison, she was able to build upon her stage act and also bring to light causes she feels strongly about. The intention seemed to be that MSA's book would share her view of her time on the show and beyond. And since MG and Alison were good buds and MSA was said to be a bit of a snob, that would appeal to readers. And though I personally didn't expect MSA to get down and dirty about her co-stars, I think if she had focused a bit of attention on how it felt to be seen in such a harsh way by her co-stars that would have made for a much more interesting book. The publisher and editor didn't do MSA any favors in releasing a book that gave fans of the show so little in the way of new information.

With so many of the stars of the show now gone, I think our hope should be more for biographies of these people than memoirs.

I would like to see Patrick and Matt write a book about how it was to be brothers and work on the same show. Personally, after reading MG's first book, I'm not interested in whatever else she has to say.

I think Karen Grassle is working on a memoir. I am friends and keep in contact with Melissa Sue Anderson through e-mail. In one of her e-mails to me, she said: "My publisher was very happy to receive the "refreshing" book that they had commissioned. We had always agreed that mine would not be the typical "tell-all" that we keep seeing - knowing full well that I probably wouldn't sell as many copies as Melissa Gilbert or Alison Arngrim." I received an e-mail from Melissa in September 2011. She had talked to Katherine MacGregor on the phone and Katherine wanted to write a memoir. Melissa asked me to call her and talk to her about. Katherine was upset about what Alison Arngrim had written in her book. I offered to help or to publish something on my website, www.melissasueandersonfan.com. I haven't heard from her since then. I don't think she had enough information written down for a full book.

Mike

Karen for sure could write a really special book. I would love to know her thoughts on some of the topics the show had as well as some of what was fun or sad about doing such shows. Its the behind the scene stuff that I think fans are really wanting.

Matt would certainly be a great read. He had some really deep scenes and I think he could tell what helped him most in doing them.


Melissa Gilbert did sell her books, but she didn't keep fans I'm afraid. I wish she had not decided to use the language she did and tell her most private moments. I just feel her main goal was to come out of the shadow of " Laura".
I try to just think of her as the young girl she was on the show and nothing after. I do wish her well, but she has disappointed me. As for another book....I'll stay tuned....for awhile.

Melissa S. Anderson's book was good. Not great but good. I am glad she wrote it, and I am especially glad she has stayed out of the spotlight so she could have the home and family she has. It takes that now in order to hold it all together. She put her family first so giving us a book is alot.

I for one would read a book by Karen Grassle.

Yes memories fade after a while..MSA was honest about that. She admitted she didn't really remember some shows her daughter was watching. I guess it's like me not remembering everyday of Kindergarten.
I didn't like MG's book and they way she trashed MSA and her brother. I gave it away and I felt MSA's was too boring. Other stars wrote "boring" type of memoirs, not racy sex or fights, but it still was interesting. I liked James Garner and enjoyed his a lot and nothing was "out there" but it was honest, funny and I thought a good read.

I think the only reason I was interested in Melissa Gilbert's now, was the original premise was having fans submit questions and answer them...ones not already told. If you google "Prairie Memories" it links to pages from 2011 asking fans to send questions to an aol email.

I might be wrong, but I think when Michael was alive, no one wanted to get him angry saying anything too off-color and later, as Cheryl said, so much was written, what is there to repeat?

I would have liked Matt's ideas on the show, his growth as a person, what he thought of "Willie" and did he keep in touch. But alas, might never be.

I think it would be cool if Karen, Matt and Patrick each wrote a book.