Mark,
With regards to books, you know full well that I am one of the most well-read people you have ever not met. I was talking specifically about magic books. You yourself are fond of saying that you don't read magic books published after 1954 (which I think is a terrible insult to Richard Kaufman who published over 27,000 magic books between 1988 and 1999).
The problem is your advice is often as dated as the magic books you read. Although perhaps it is okay, because the only people you perform for these days are the old folks in retirement homes that David organizes for you. I have no suggestions on how to deal with octogenarian hecklers. I would defer to your vast experience of that particular group.
You are correct that I recently wrote a non-magic book, but as usual wrong about the other 90%. I was actually very successful in getting a literary agent (I had several fighting over me.) But I am beginning to think it was a big mistake because my agent seems worse than David Ben and he's having me rewrite almost everything before he submits it to publishers.
Mark.Lewis wrote:Hecklers who dislike magic are no different than hecklers who merely want to show off.They are still bloody hecklers.
In all seriousness, this is very poor advice indeed. If you were a doctor, you wouldn't prescribe the same medicine for everyone who came through your door.
If you are at a party and you came across someone who just does not want to watch any magic, why on earth would you impose your awful dice tricks on her?
In an instant you have turned from a magician to an "inflictor of magic."
If you can't see the difference after all these years, Mark, you are no better than the awful teenage restaurant magicians who think you should ambush people with lines such as "Did anyone drop a knife?"
Mark.Lewis wrote:Munton's suggestion for a difficult audience member is exactly the same as mine. No doubt he was copying from me.
Yes, it is a rare talent I have of copying people
before they have said something. But I am glad you admit to agreeing with my excellent advice in your own funny way.
As for shows, I do indeed have a busy weekend including a show this evening in an upscale bar for a 50th birthday party where I am quite sure I will encounter plenty of drunks and Type #1 and #2 DAMs. I am tempted to do nothing but sucker tricks all night and report back how they went. However, I would like to actually get paid at the end of the evening.
Best.
James