So so happy to have found you here! I have given Heating and Cooling to all the women in my life who, well, who get it! And there are lots. I go to Ireland to write in May and a micro memoir of life as a clinical psychologist/mom/childhood grief author is wiggling around on my computer as we speak, dying to get out. And I am thrilled you are coming to Maine!
Thanks for this good news on this crazy day when even penguins are not safe. ❤️
v. excited for the new book—Heating & Cooling has been an ongoing source of inspiration and a bit of an instruction manual that’s helped me become a better micro writer! Who also has multiple big stinkin’ piles of…unfinished? fiction
I am not a writer (not yet, anyway!) but I am loving the perspective and advice in Charlie Jane Anders’ Never Say You Can’t Survive, which despite the title is all about writing. She gives funny and serious examples of why you write all kinds of things, some of which work, some of which might lead to something later and some of which don’t. Her perspective feels fresh because she’s open about writing for oneself, which might one day be published. For anyone who relates to the shame aspects of this post I recommend it.
Thank you for writing about the novel you had to give up on. It makes it easier for others to accept that manuscripts don’t always find a publisher. On we go!
I so enjoy your writing. I’ve given your micro-memoirs book to several friends. And I enjoyed hearing you read in Auburn a couple of years ago. Looking forward to your next book!
Thank you for making me laugh at least a couple of times; I'm happy to wait for the rare newsletter that does that. And I'm sad that you mean your next book comes out NEXT February. I need it now.
Good writing pixie dust in a Costco-size container headed your way just for saying such nice things about the Union Club in Missoula. In addition to all the nice things you said about the bar and grille in the back, an upstart community radio station used the rooms in the front for offices and a broadcast studio - a studio so large that we could have groups of guests gathered around a couple of MICs to give a voice to all the people in town trying to make it better
Hey Beth Ann, as a fellow Chicagoan you know well that the best watering holes are where working men and thinking men (and women) are often one and the same. The Union Club is The Treasure State's equivalent to Schubas Tavern.
Hi Beth! Can't wait to read your new book, celebrate it, teach it!
I love this post more than you know, and can relate on the novel, gah. I feel like I need to build a bonfire and I'm still processing all of it. Let me know what you need as your book gets closer to pub (pre-order links?).
Love the advice to take the “red taxi” — that’s great! I also love your book Heating and Cooling and enjoy writing micro memoirs. Thank you for being honest and brave about your writing life. ❤️
Glad to see you back on here and keeping us inspired. I couldn’t begin to tell you how many times I’ve decided to “forget about it” . Just in life, ‘cause I’m a reader, not a writer.
I hate to say it but I hate that you refer to the hummingbird manuscript as a "failed novel." It's an "unpublished novel." It's a terrific, exotic story with complicated and engaging characters, and it's beautifully -- beautifully -- written. It's a story of discovery and self-discovery, full of intrigue, suspense, and twists. There's nothing failed about it. It's a thoroughly successful novel. If there's any failure anywhere, I'd look to agent or press editor(s), the arbitrary arbiters of taste, who for one reason or another decided not to usher this into the wider world. I wish you'd take the manuscript out of its mislabeled box and take another look at it. After all, some manuscripts are published right away, with some others it takes a while.
You might "hate to say it," but I do love to read it. Your vote of confidence and support continued to mean so much to me, even though you're no longer my chair. Thanks, Ivo.
So so happy to have found you here! I have given Heating and Cooling to all the women in my life who, well, who get it! And there are lots. I go to Ireland to write in May and a micro memoir of life as a clinical psychologist/mom/childhood grief author is wiggling around on my computer as we speak, dying to get out. And I am thrilled you are coming to Maine!
Thanks for this good news on this crazy day when even penguins are not safe. ❤️
I'll be in Ireland in june! Leave some good writing pixie dust in the air to settle on my shoulders as you head out.
Will do !
v. excited for the new book—Heating & Cooling has been an ongoing source of inspiration and a bit of an instruction manual that’s helped me become a better micro writer! Who also has multiple big stinkin’ piles of…unfinished? fiction
Thanks, Amie--Heating & Cooling as an instruction manual! I love it!
I am not a writer (not yet, anyway!) but I am loving the perspective and advice in Charlie Jane Anders’ Never Say You Can’t Survive, which despite the title is all about writing. She gives funny and serious examples of why you write all kinds of things, some of which work, some of which might lead to something later and some of which don’t. Her perspective feels fresh because she’s open about writing for oneself, which might one day be published. For anyone who relates to the shame aspects of this post I recommend it.
I'll check it out, Robin--thanks for the tip!
Thank you for writing about the novel you had to give up on. It makes it easier for others to accept that manuscripts don’t always find a publisher. On we go!
Thanks, Claire! I loved reading your thoughts on Japan in your Wander substack!
From a former student, thanks so much for the bravery and honesty to share the endeavors that don't go as planned. Can't wait for the new book!
Camille! How kind. I'm sooo excited for the new book!
I so enjoy your writing. I’ve given your micro-memoirs book to several friends. And I enjoyed hearing you read in Auburn a couple of years ago. Looking forward to your next book!
Thanks, Donna--I hope to come back to Auburn for the new book!
Thank you for making me laugh at least a couple of times; I'm happy to wait for the rare newsletter that does that. And I'm sad that you mean your next book comes out NEXT February. I need it now.
February does sound a long time away for me, too! Thanks for reading.
Good writing pixie dust in a Costco-size container headed your way just for saying such nice things about the Union Club in Missoula. In addition to all the nice things you said about the bar and grille in the back, an upstart community radio station used the rooms in the front for offices and a broadcast studio - a studio so large that we could have groups of guests gathered around a couple of MICs to give a voice to all the people in town trying to make it better
Hey Jim--That is so cool! I love that! Honestly I would have loved to have 2,000 words instead of 200 to write on that cool bar.
Hey Beth Ann, as a fellow Chicagoan you know well that the best watering holes are where working men and thinking men (and women) are often one and the same. The Union Club is The Treasure State's equivalent to Schubas Tavern.
Hi Beth! Can't wait to read your new book, celebrate it, teach it!
I love this post more than you know, and can relate on the novel, gah. I feel like I need to build a bonfire and I'm still processing all of it. Let me know what you need as your book gets closer to pub (pre-order links?).
ahh thanks, Darien! Sorry to hear the post is relatable--but glad you found company here. For sure, pre-order link in next newsletter, I hope!
Love the advice to take the “red taxi” — that’s great! I also love your book Heating and Cooling and enjoy writing micro memoirs. Thank you for being honest and brave about your writing life. ❤️
thanks so much for the kind words, Ann!
Glad to see you back on here and keeping us inspired. I couldn’t begin to tell you how many times I’ve decided to “forget about it” . Just in life, ‘cause I’m a reader, not a writer.
Thanks, Kim! I appreciate you reading!
I hate to say it but I hate that you refer to the hummingbird manuscript as a "failed novel." It's an "unpublished novel." It's a terrific, exotic story with complicated and engaging characters, and it's beautifully -- beautifully -- written. It's a story of discovery and self-discovery, full of intrigue, suspense, and twists. There's nothing failed about it. It's a thoroughly successful novel. If there's any failure anywhere, I'd look to agent or press editor(s), the arbitrary arbiters of taste, who for one reason or another decided not to usher this into the wider world. I wish you'd take the manuscript out of its mislabeled box and take another look at it. After all, some manuscripts are published right away, with some others it takes a while.
You might "hate to say it," but I do love to read it. Your vote of confidence and support continued to mean so much to me, even though you're no longer my chair. Thanks, Ivo.