Not enough can be made of how fun this part of the writing process is - the not writing part! I was a nervous wreck before the book came out and my friends and family can attest to the fact that I was no fun to be around. FULL of self-doubt, fear, anxiety, apprehension, your basic low-level emotions. Now is the fun part - the part where the people that already love me are reading it and telling me they love me. Only time will tell if the book will ever reach circles beyond my immediate circles.
What I'm particularly loving is having people tell me the parts in the book that struck them the most. For many women, it's the summer I spent in Sisters alone. As one woman said, "There isn't a woman in our age range that didn't, or doesn't, need a summer away." She then went to talk about a particular part of the book where I was in Sisters and commenting on the actual mountain range. I remember when and where I wrote that section, it's burned in my memory. The thing is, I didn't actually write it, as much as type it. I remember reading what my fingers had just typed and thinking, damn, that's good!
Likewise, when I wrote the blog post about my twenty-first anniversary, I got a lot of feedback from my community. One woman even went so far as to say that was the best thing she'd ever read about marriage. Again. Only the typist. I felt the urge to write, sat down and started typing. It was effortless. It was only a matter of opening the computer and letting the words find their way to the page. LOVE when that happens. It doesn't happen often, for every time it does happen, there are dozens of days when I just plod along.
I guess that's how it is with anything: most days you just show up and shove the boulder up the hill, but every once and awhile the stars align and the boulder moves with only the gentlest of touches, sometimes only a whisper, or a wink will get it to go. And those are the days you hang on to with hope, while you continue to wake up each day, plant your feet firmly on the ground, and start to push.
* Photo from www.truceinc.com
6 comments:
I've always been able to nearly "channel" the words and thought I was exceptionally fortunate -- it makes sense that you have done the same, often in your book. Such beauty in your words, Carrie -- and even though I imagine myself as one of your "lovers" and followers, I can also imagine the book will speak to those who don't know you from Adam. Or Mary. :)
Love.
I can't wait to read your book, Carrie. I remember when I first started blogging and I think I found you through M'on. You were in Sisters and I think you were "fully caffeinated" then? LOL. Love the cover of the book. X O
It is only by showing up each and every day, planting your feet and beginning to push, that you open yourself as a channel for those times when you can simply type. You are indeed an inspiration to so many, with your summer in Sisters and your perspective on your marriage. Thank you for showing up.
Love.
As Elizabeth said, it is a sort of "channeling" when the words just flow. I so love that. It's my favorite part of writing. That and connecting with others, like you.
Was reading the comments I so forgot about you being "fully caffeinated" - funny how those details slip away sometimes.... I'm so happy you are enjoying the time right now - you've worked so long and hard for it!!!!
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