When reading The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon, as a widow of 3 years the following touched and comforted my heart: “We are in the twilight years of a long love affair, and it has recently occurred to me that a day will come when one of us buries the other. But, I remind myself, that is the happy ending to a story like ours. It is a vow made and kept. Till death do us part. It is the only acceptable outcome to a long and happy marriage, and I am determined not to fear that day, whenever it arrives. I am equally determined to soak up all the days in between.”
"When you go looking for trouble, you shouldn't be surprised when you find it." I'm not sure where this came from, but it popped into my head while I was checking mouse traps in the garage.
I’m looking forward to the event in Winston Salem, it’ll be my first author event. In this newsletter you listed it as 10 a.m. but I think my ticket says 11 a.m. , maybe I’ll try to get there by 10 so I don’t miss anything.
In the book, Where the Crawdads Sing, the end really gets to me. I even cried! It's where Kya's lifelong friend Tate, is outside thinking of Kya. He buried her that day.
The last part of the book says, " And then the gulls came. Seeing him there, they spiraled above his head. Calling, calling. As night fell, Tate walked back to the shack. But when he reached the lagoon, he stopped under the deep canopy and watched hundreds of fireflies beckoning far into the dark reaches of the marsh. Way out yonder, where the crawdads sing.
When I met you and KWHarvey at Beacon Hill Books & Cafe on Charles St, Boston, I shared with you a passage from “Becoming Mrs Lewis.” How your readers connect with your novels is a wonderful sharing for both of us. So, when an author recently asked if I would like an author to read from her new book at a meet & greet, I said no. Please continue to ask your readers when you meet them what specific passage moved them the most! This will reinforce for you the value of what you write. Thank you! Alicia Kullas (I was the one with the spreadsheet of over 250 books in my TBR pile!)
Well, I have to reply to that question about a line, as I got thunderstruck by one this week. "Between the spark and the flame, there is space." It hit on a day where I was preparing for a podcast, preparing for a panel discussion, preparing for puppies, and helping all three adult children adult from afar. I didn't feel like I had time to breathe. That line woke me up, reminded me of the need for (and presence of) space. I have been simmering on it ever since, looking for space where it appears none exists. I love that you asked this particular question, as I suspect that we all have lines like that. Looking forward to reading more of them here...
When reading The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon, as a widow of 3 years the following touched and comforted my heart: “We are in the twilight years of a long love affair, and it has recently occurred to me that a day will come when one of us buries the other. But, I remind myself, that is the happy ending to a story like ours. It is a vow made and kept. Till death do us part. It is the only acceptable outcome to a long and happy marriage, and I am determined not to fear that day, whenever it arrives. I am equally determined to soak up all the days in between.”
Don't those lines just slay you? I read them a couple times feeling them to my bones. Ariel is a wordsmith with a huge heart.
I loved the trailer for the new book (so excited for you and for us readers!) and the lines from Anne Lamott were helpful and timely. Thanks so much!
Thank you my friend!
"And their eyes were watching God..." has always stuck with me as I picture those poor souls sitting in the dark, waiting...
Oh doesn't that just give you chills?
"When you go looking for trouble, you shouldn't be surprised when you find it." I'm not sure where this came from, but it popped into my head while I was checking mouse traps in the garage.
HA! I don't know either but it's the truth with a capital T
I’m looking forward to the event in Winston Salem, it’ll be my first author event. In this newsletter you listed it as 10 a.m. but I think my ticket says 11 a.m. , maybe I’ll try to get there by 10 so I don’t miss anything.
We can't wait. Countdown begins!
In the book, Where the Crawdads Sing, the end really gets to me. I even cried! It's where Kya's lifelong friend Tate, is outside thinking of Kya. He buried her that day.
The last part of the book says, " And then the gulls came. Seeing him there, they spiraled above his head. Calling, calling. As night fell, Tate walked back to the shack. But when he reached the lagoon, he stopped under the deep canopy and watched hundreds of fireflies beckoning far into the dark reaches of the marsh. Way out yonder, where the crawdads sing.
HEAD TO TOE CHILL BUMPS.
Thank you for your newsletter. So much insight. I especially loved the 12 Reasons- writing my own story the way I want to tell it.
Oh thank you Denise!
When I met you and KWHarvey at Beacon Hill Books & Cafe on Charles St, Boston, I shared with you a passage from “Becoming Mrs Lewis.” How your readers connect with your novels is a wonderful sharing for both of us. So, when an author recently asked if I would like an author to read from her new book at a meet & greet, I said no. Please continue to ask your readers when you meet them what specific passage moved them the most! This will reinforce for you the value of what you write. Thank you! Alicia Kullas (I was the one with the spreadsheet of over 250 books in my TBR pile!)
How could I forget Alicia? I loved meeting you and even until now I haven't seen a spread sheet like that!
Love this!
Thanks my dear!
I had already registered in the GoodReads Give-away! 🤞🏼
I hope you win!
Well, I have to reply to that question about a line, as I got thunderstruck by one this week. "Between the spark and the flame, there is space." It hit on a day where I was preparing for a podcast, preparing for a panel discussion, preparing for puppies, and helping all three adult children adult from afar. I didn't feel like I had time to breathe. That line woke me up, reminded me of the need for (and presence of) space. I have been simmering on it ever since, looking for space where it appears none exists. I love that you asked this particular question, as I suspect that we all have lines like that. Looking forward to reading more of them here...
Oh my friend, Kerry! All the good comes rushing at us and then we have to find a space there...between!