Mr. Lamb’s 10 Years of Silence
Check out the fundraiser for a GREAT organization! Click HERE to read the post!
As I read Wally Lamb’s “The Hour I First Believed” I realized that I would most likely never be the kind of novelist to write 700+ page novels. Wally Lamb is an ultra-marathon novelist. He took his time to write this novel. And that, my friends, is a luxury in the writing world.
After huge success with his novels “She’s Come Undone” and “I Know This Much Is True”, Wally Lamb gained uncommon popularity. I mean, Oprah loved him. LOVED HIM! And because of her endorsement, Lamb’s books were New York Times sweethearts (every author’s dream). He won awards. Scored interviews. Went on long book tours. Whew. Whirlwind.
But then, more than 10 years passed with nothing from Mr. Lamb. In a culture where we can’t wait 5 minutes for the kid at McDonald’s to make fresh fries, 10 years is an eternity. Death for a writer. 10 years means that the author would need to rebuild everything he/she has done. Platform, friends. It’s all about keeping up your readership.
In the back of “The Hour I first Believed” I found a “conversation” with Wally Lamb. The first question is about this long pause in his novel releases. His answer has caused me to think. He said,
“I hope this doesn’t sound off or ungrateful, but I sort of had to get over ‘bestsellerdom.’ Readers had responded so generously to my first two novels that I had to conquer the fear of writing the first sentence of my third, lest I disappoint everyone.”
A few weeks ago, the authors of WhiteFire Publishing were discussing the “freak out” that happens after the contract is signed. Writers are fragile. We must be handled with great care. And, even after we get the book deals and the release dates and the really pretty book covers, we still wonder if we’re worthy. We sometimes feel like frauds. Worried that one of these days someone will figure out that we aren’t really all that good at writing.
But Wally Lamb feels that, too?
Yup.
And John Steinbeck felt that way, saying once, “I’m afraid this novel isn’t any good.” (that was in reference to “The Grapes of Wrath”)
And Anne Lamott felt that way.
And Steven King.
I could go on.
We all have insecurities (even people who act like they don’t). We all feel not-good-enough sometimes. Isn’t it at least a teeny tiny bit reassuring that we aren’t the only ones? That even the “greats” feel less-than-great every once in awhile.
Tell me, what do you sometimes feel insecure about? Who do you admire? Do you think they have feelings of inadequacies? How do you deal with these feelings of not being good enough?
Let’s share. This isn’t only about writing. It is about life. And, let me tell you, you are good enough. Smart enough. And, doggon it, people like you.
For real.
Manasseh
I have a great passion in my life. A passion that has driven me for the past three years.
I want people to be Free.
Sadly, approximately 27 million people in our world are slaves.
27 million.
More than the population of Australia. (They’re right around 22 million)
Staggering. Unbelievable. Disgusting.
Yet, hopeful.
My novel “Paint Chips” (ebook set to be released in January, 2013 and paper back will be out April, 2013 with WhiteFire Publishing) is partially set in a safe house for girls who have been exploited. Forced to be sex slaves. In Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Unfortunately, that is based on reality.
So. What do we do? We learn more about the problem (check out The Manasseh Project’s website, listed below). We pray for wisdom. We donate (again, see link below). We volunteer (check out Michigan Abolitionist Project’s site HERE for information).
Or…check out what’s up this month!
Well, this month, 50% of all the money I take in at my Etsy shop, Inspired Novelties, will go directly to “The Manasseh Project”, a program designed specifically for the victims of criminal sexual exploitation (read, sexual slavery) in West Michigan. I believe in the work that my friend, Andy Soper, is doing with Manasseh. I am honored to be a part of blessing them in this way. And I hope you’ll help out.
First, check out Manasseh Project by clicking HERE. I promise…they are as legitimate as it gets.
Then, go shopping at my Etsy shop. Remember 50% goes to Manasseh. So, if you spend $20, $10 goes right to Manasseh (the other $10 to cover the cost of supplies). Check out Inspired Novelties HERE. (by the way, all the jewelry at my shop is based on literature…it’s a fun idea from my writing gal pal Amelia Rhodes)
Thanks, friends. I look forward to working with you to make a BIG difference in this world!
Also, see Better Way Imports to learn about sex trafficking worldwide and to order great gifts that impact the freedom of hundreds of women!
The Burnside Writers Collective
Yesterday’s post, “Little Miss Tender Heart”, was about fighting the desire to isolate my kids from pain (especially my very sensitive little girl).
Funny thing. Today, on The Burnside Writers Collective, my story “Love” is up. It’s about a mother who wishes she could take the place of her daughter. Warning. It’s a tear jerker.
Check it out HERE. And, by all means, leave a comment letting me know you stopped over there.
What you all have to say is such a gift to me.
Thanks!
Little Miss Tender Heart
My daughter got her very first bee sting this summer. I was able to calm her cries of pain with some ice and a few hugs and kisses. She told me all the facts about bees that she’s learned from the Wild Kratz and her subscription to National Geographic for kids.
That girl knows a lot about bees.
Then, after the ice soothed the sting on her arm, she realized that her heart was broken.
“Why would the bee want to hurt me? I didn’t do anything to her. I wouldn’t have smashed her. Why would she be so mean?” she asked.
“I don’t know,” I answered. “Maybe the bee thought you were a threat.”
“But I wasn’t.”
“I know, honey.”
I hurt for her hurt.
Sometime in the future, soon I’d guess, her feelings will be hurt. This time by a friend or a bully at school. Or by her brothers. Maybe even by me. She will cry. It will make me want to cry. I’ll hate that she’s hurting.
I’m strong. I’ll take that ache for her. I’m so over bullies. Let them hurl the insults at me. Friend drama…I can take it. Bees? Well, I can handle that, too. Just, please Lord, spare my daughter that kind of hurt.
You know what? My Little Miss Tender Heart needs to feel all of it. As much as I want to shield her from it all, I can’t. I shouldn’t. I won’t. She will learn from each time her heart is broken.
This isn’t me wanting her to “toughen up”. I don’t think that’s the right approach. Her sensitivity can become a strength for her. No. This is about her learning how to handle the pain. How to process her emotions. How to communicate when she’s hurt.
This can be a difficult lesson to learn as a parent.
Tell me; how do you comfort the heart of a loved one? How do youn like to be comforted?
July 4
Just being honest with myself here. If you’re living in America, you probably aren’t reading this post today.
You’re grilling hot dogs, spitting watermelon seeds at someone, setting things on fire and hoping that you come away with both eyes and all 10 fingers.
Happy Independence Day.
So, this will be a very short post. I wish you safety today. Good eats. And peace.
Tell me…what are your 4th of July traditions? What food will you be eating? If you’re not living in the US of A, then what do you think of American traditions on this day?
The Hopeless Road
Hey, there! Make sure you check out my Facebook page (click HERE)! A preview of the cover for “Paint Chips” is up! Seriously, the art department at WhiteFire Publishing is beyond talented!! I’m so excited!
I love Dystopian Literature. There’s something about the world gone wrong that gets me on the edge of my reading chair. So often, these books serve as a mirror for modern culture, a warning about what could be. Most Dystopian stories end in the triumph over “the man” or “the system” or “the powerful machine”. Humanity, despite being reduced to submissive lumps of flesh, still prevails. Humanity remains…well…human.
The Road by Cormac McCarthy has little to no triumph. McCarthy doesn’t even sprinkle hope amid the darkness, the cold, the terror. Humanity ends up prevailing in a very unexpected kind of victory. My heart broke over and over and over while reading this book.
It certainly did cause me to be grateful for the hope I have in life after death. If this was all there was, this life, then despair is the correct reaction. I wondered at the “man” in this novel who pushed on to survive with no hope of anything improving. Nothing but a future of suffering over and over.
Have you read The Road? If so, what did you think? Do you read Dystopian Literature (think 1984, The Hunger Games, Fahrenheit 451, Brave New World)? Tell me what you’ve read that’s left you feeling hopeless?
Who’s Awesome?! (Rare Weekend Edition)
Creatives can be insecure. Really, really insecure. Like meltdown-in-the-fiction-aisle-at-Target-because-your-novel-will-never-be-as-good-as-Snooki’s insecure. Not that I would know anything about that specific incident.
{ahem}
The funny thing is that, although insecure, we can also be very egotistical. I don’t know if that springs from our insecurities. Or if it is because we’re inward thinking. Oh, I don’t know. I only attended half of my psychology classes in college. The point is, we sometimes get into what I call “Diva Mode”.
While in Diva Mode, we may be heard saying the following things…
~”I deserve to be noticed.”
~”Why did that piece of kah kah get published? My book is WAY better!”
~”Where is my LATTE????”
We may also be observed doing the following…
~Promoting ourselves to the kid taking our order in the drive-thru at Taco Bell.
~Talking incessantly about our current project and forgetting to ask how YOU are.
~Promoting our blog/book/website/etc. on YOUR Facebook page/blog/website (I’ve got a really funny story about this that involves Lisa Samson…you know…Lisa Samson. Lisa Samson is, like, really BIG in the Christian publishing world. Lisa Samson won the Christy about 50 times {that’s like winning an Oscar, basically}. Well, Lisa Samson is my friend on Facebook and sometimes Lisa Samson even “likes” what I write in the comments of Lisa Samson’s status updates. Lisa Samson even wished me a happy birthday…on Facebook…but it still counts. Lisa Samson. Lisa. Samson.).
~Dropping names. (Lisa Samson)
~Comparing ourselves to the greats. (Lisa Samson)
~When giving advice, we begin by saying, “Well, when my first novel was published”…even when we’re asked what flavor of salad dressing should be served at dinner.
~Practicing for our next head shot photo shoot by posing in the mirror or taking pictures of ourselves with Instagram and plastering them all over Facebook and Twitter.
~Stealing somebody else’s thunder instead of congratulating them (ie., When they post about a success, we talk about OUR successes and how great WE are)
Okay. Clearly, there is a lot of Diva Mode behavior that goes on. I wonder if it’s sprung from a combination of pride and jealousy and feelings of inadequacy. We can get so wound up, thinking that we’re the best. That we deserve something from the world. It owes us because we are madly talented.
Let me tell you something. The world owes us nothing. And when we believe that it does, we become unbearable. Nobody wants to be around a Diva. Trust me. I’ve been one. Last week. It’s embarrassing. It came down to the fact that I forgot to be grateful.
William Shakespeare (a good buddy of mine…just kidding) once wrote…
“Blow, blow thou winter wind. Thou art not so unkind as man’s ingratitude…”
Ingratitude equals self-importance. Pride.
Gratitude equals humility.
Humility congratulates others…even when we’re disappointed by something in our lives. Humility listens…even when we REALLY want to share about ourselves. Humility is more concerned with relationships…even with those who can not further our careers (even though I do think that Lisa Samson is a very nice person). Humility serves others…even when it inconveniences us (or cuts into our writing time). Humility doesn’t feel the need to compare. Humility realizes that its poop stinks just like everybody else’s…and that it’s okay.
Humility knows that we are all human beings, created in the Image of our Creator.
It knows that it isn’t about me. Or you. Or Lisa Samson.
But that, really, it’s about that Creator of whose Image we bear.
Humility never really pays attention to how that makes her shine.
Extra Outlets
When I was a little girl, all I ever wanted was my very own piano. I wanted to be able to play that piano, too. Not just look at it and let it collect dust. At my little old church (Calvary United Methodist in Lansing, Michigan) there was this piano in one of the Sunday School rooms. That old thing must have been around since my Grandpa Riggs was a little boy learning about Jesus in that same room. It was smothered with mint green paint. An old “player” piano, it must have been a lot of fun all those years ago. But, by the time I got to it, the poor dear was in pretty crazy shape. The sounds that rang out when I played it were…well…unearthly.
Still, when my mom did work around the church building during the week, I would play that piano for hours. I use the word “play” loosely.
When I got to college, I took lessons. Playing piano was a dream of mine. Never as a concert pianist or even a performer. Just to be able to move my fingers across the keys and hear something beautiful. I still play. My piano sometimes gets dusty, my fingers rusty. But every once in awhile, I get out the old piano books and play a few songs. My kids think I’m Liberace…well…they would if they knew who he was. Other days we get out the chord sheets and we sing Jesus songs. There’s nothing like praising around the piano with a 5 year old girl and a couple 4 year old boys.
On days when I feel my creativity just isn’t “there”, I pull up to the keyboard and play a song or two. I play them incorrectly. Against the time signature and all rules of music theory. But I play with emotion. Slowly. And I picture my characters in my mind. Then the writing comes. The ideas flood me.
We all need outlets. Regardless of your skills, job, hobbies. We need to find a release for the pent up creativity and thoughts. Sometimes those outlets are secret. I don’t generally talk about my love for piano (because I’m not THAT good and get real nervous when I have to play in front of people).
So, what are your outlets? How do you unwind? Or wind up? What gets your brain working in a different way?
Novel Tips on Rice
***The lovely Patti Hill informed me that this book is available for FREE download on the Novel Matters blog. Just scroll down and find the cover on the left side. And today’s discussion is fantastic. Don’t miss out! Go to www.novelmatters.com (right after you read and comment on this post :))
When I’m sunk deep into a writing day, the last thing I want to think about it cooking dinner for my family. The. Last. Thing. Those are the days I wonder how bad McDonald’s really is to eat all the time (we really don’t do that). Or how I can get the Little Caesar’s to start delivering the $5 pizzas. I mean, there are moments when my characters are in a life and death situation. How dare I even think about making dinner and leaving them hanging like that?
Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE to cook. I do. Cooking and baking are cathartic for me. I love stirring the pots. Hearing the bubbling broth. Smelling the meat as it cooks. Oh. My mouth is watering.
This just isn’t something I can do a whole lot of when I’m in the middle of a novel writing spurt. And I don’t even own a microwave (no, I’m not Amish).
The happy news? I’m not alone. The ladies over at Novel Matters (a writing community for writers and readers) made up a book that addresses this problem. It’s called Novel Tips on Rice: What to Cook When You’d Rather Be Writing. (And Vice Versa). This book is a collection of simple recipes, funny quotes, photos and information about the ladies of Novel Matters. And BELIEVE me…these ladies know what they are talking about. (You should check out Novel Matters on Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays).
How do you function when life gets overwhelmingly busy? How do you get food on the table? Seriously, I’d love to hear how you do it…I’m still trying to figure it all out.
Reading L.L. Samson
What would it be like to meet a character from a book you love? No, really. MEET the character. Have him hanging out with you. Eating peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and engaging in adventures. That would be pretty interesting/exciting/fantastic/terrifying. It all depends upon the character, right?
That is the premise for the new series by L.L. Samson, “The Enchanted Attic”. The first book has recently been released. “Facing the Hunchback of Notre Dame” is a fun book. Great for summer reading. I would even recommend it as a family read (for those with kids who are a little bit older than mine).
I appreciated how L.L. obliged the reader to see Quasimodo as a human. With feelings. Not a dolt with an unfortunate spine. Kids need to witness the courage and kindness that is displayed in the character of “Quasi” in this book.
Tell me, if you could meet up with any fictional character, who would you choose? What would you do? Would you make him/her peanut butter and jelly sandwiches?
susiefinkbeiner.com 