My Umbrella
First off, thank you for yesterday.
Thank you for understanding that I wasn't asking for money, advice, or a good hard slap (though I know some of your palms had to be itching), but simply some help keeping faith afloat.
For all your confidence in my ability with words, I'm afraid it fails me when it comes to expressing how important your support and encouragement has become. Essential, actually. Sorry to be so needy, but we are all in this together now. I am absolutely determined to put a signed copy of my first book in the hands of every one of you who reached out to me yesterday.
What else can I say? You get me.
Today is a better day.
For one thing, I updated my poetry blog for the first time in about six months, to talk about my memoir.
For another thing, I submitted a post to Hyperion's new Every Woman's Voice website, and my byline is now on the front page. I am openly courting the co-founder of this imprint, Pamela Doran, to be my fairy godmother, so please go give them some love (although they don't make it easy—you have to register and get a password in your email—but they are print people, and new to Web 2.0, so maybe give them a little handicap?) Also, they say that you can submit your stuff too. I like where this imprint is going. I love that they are explicitly distancing themselves from the "chicklit" label.
Conventional wisdom says that putting your writing on a blog hoping to land a book deal is akin to putting your resume on your doorstep and hoping to get hired. Conventional wisdom says writers should never, ever do what I did yesterday and show where it hurts.
My second essay collection is tentatively titled, "Conventional Wisdom is an Oxymoron." Reserve your copy today.
p.s. Did any of you in Newfoundland happen to see the Women's Film Festival opener, "To Dublin With Love" last night? I gave a long interview for it, standing on a very windy shore near Waterford city. I'm wondering if it made the cut, and how it played. Leave us a review in the comments if you caught it.
Thank you for understanding that I wasn't asking for money, advice, or a good hard slap (though I know some of your palms had to be itching), but simply some help keeping faith afloat.
For all your confidence in my ability with words, I'm afraid it fails me when it comes to expressing how important your support and encouragement has become. Essential, actually. Sorry to be so needy, but we are all in this together now. I am absolutely determined to put a signed copy of my first book in the hands of every one of you who reached out to me yesterday.
What else can I say? You get me.
Today is a better day.
For one thing, I updated my poetry blog for the first time in about six months, to talk about my memoir.
For another thing, I submitted a post to Hyperion's new Every Woman's Voice website, and my byline is now on the front page. I am openly courting the co-founder of this imprint, Pamela Doran, to be my fairy godmother, so please go give them some love (although they don't make it easy—you have to register and get a password in your email—but they are print people, and new to Web 2.0, so maybe give them a little handicap?) Also, they say that you can submit your stuff too. I like where this imprint is going. I love that they are explicitly distancing themselves from the "chicklit" label.
Conventional wisdom says that putting your writing on a blog hoping to land a book deal is akin to putting your resume on your doorstep and hoping to get hired. Conventional wisdom says writers should never, ever do what I did yesterday and show where it hurts.
My second essay collection is tentatively titled, "Conventional Wisdom is an Oxymoron." Reserve your copy today.
p.s. Did any of you in Newfoundland happen to see the Women's Film Festival opener, "To Dublin With Love" last night? I gave a long interview for it, standing on a very windy shore near Waterford city. I'm wondering if it made the cut, and how it played. Leave us a review in the comments if you caught it.
Labels: lack and plenty, the writing life
—Kyran, 11:07 AM
←SHARE THIS
5 Comments:
I just discovered your blog and have to say that your essay Ring of Fire was one of the most powerful and profound pieces of writing about marriage that I've ever read. Thank you. Keep writing.
Hi! Long time no speak. I didn't see the film - but ran into a friend today who stopped me in the hall to tell me how much you and I look alike so you must have made the cut!
We should chat soon - off site.
I have read "ring of fire" about a dozen times. I plan on hiding a printed copy away where I keep a few special things. I will pull it out when I need to remember that my husband and I have gotten through tough times. I sent a link to a half dozen girlfriends. My friend Diane and I spent about 30 minutes discussing that single blog entry. We were both amazed that you are not published, (a book) YET!It will certainly happen someday! Keep hope alive. Your words touched me so deeply. Your voice needs to be heard...your stories need to be told. The right opportunity will present itself! I just have to believe it will!
I'd bet that for everyone who actually posted some encouraging words there were a dozen of us who were busy and thought "Damn, there must be something non-trite that I could say" and who let the eb and flow of life take us away without writing anything. I know that that was true for me. As I was walking to work, I was thinking about your *Ring of Fire* post (in the context of many others) and I thought to myself, "Is Anne Lamott (the writer you most remind me of) any better than this?" I thought on this for about a mile and decided that the answer was "no" and that although Lamott is better known, you two share a common muse and talent. So hang in there, K. Lots of us are pulling for you.
I love your book titles, the first one and the proposed second one. Really great.
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.
<< Home