If there is anyone out there is still wondering who the most over-indulged pets on the planet are, I trust these photos will settle that question once and for all. Am so busted.
Happily so, I will admit. Bella came up last weekend and we had so much fun tooling around Providence— we just had so much damn fun. Who knew we could both sing all the words to “The Emperor’s New Clothes“? She just sent me a sweet slideshow of photos she took of me and the dogs and said I could share it with you. She is beyond talented, but you already knew that. You can check it out here: Bella’s Slideshow
I know it was only seven days ago, but it feels like lifetimes have gone by since then.
Monday night, my dear friends Ally and Natalie spent the night at my place while Nat checked out the local college scene. And then, the big sequester began on Wednesday which was like dropping into a rabbit hole of nothing but writing hours on end with only stops for food and yoga— it poured rain two of the days so I could even shrug my shoulders at the dogs and say, “hey, no walk today– nothing I can do.”
It was, heaven.
Above is a photo that captures a moment that is so precious to me and I cannot believe there is a record of it. Camille snapped this exactly as I was transcribing the very last scene of the novel. Oooof. It is still in rough draft to be sure, but right now stands at 361 pages. Done.
Boo-yah. The only kind of bummer (mostly just a hit to my ego that I am adjusting to slowly but surely) is that Camille broke the news to me Friday night after I reached the proverbial “beach” that the novel I had been writing lo these many years is not, in fact, literary fiction, but a YA novel.
*insert scrunchy face of displeasure*
Oh well. Whatever. It is what it is. And hey– isn’t A Wrinkle In Time one of my most favorite books ever? Why yes, yes it is. So there’s that.
Tonight, I am writing to you from my office as the plan was to print out a couple copies, but I have been foiled. The printer up and died at page 230.
Me? I’m not sure whether to laugh or not. This printer has been with me for FIVE years! Do you have any idea how much printing it has done. Oh my holy god. It has done me yeomen service and then some. I always expect it will meet its maker during prep for a Squam gathering– but no.
I know some of you could think this is a bad omen– but I am choosing to see it as part of all the brand-new beginnings going on around me right now.
R.I.P. Canon MP640 you delivered in spades.
Oh, those pictures….ALL of them, but the one of you kissing Henry? Oh. The love.
Also….DONE!!!! Woot! I love YA. LOVE. So no scrunchy face for me just a huge goofy grin 🙂 !
I think the printer dying is just respectful. No deadline, nothing you NEED tomorrow. Just saying, “I finally lived long enough to see you finish that novel.” Now it can rest peacefully.
I will just say this again, because it needs to be repeated over and over again: I CANNOT WAIT to read this book! Seriously.
I am so excited for you! Congratulations!
xoxoxoxo
Well, hot damn! So exciting!
And, by the by, my favorite heroine / novel / series features the beguiling Anne Shirley, and is also categorized as YA.
YA fiction is a force to be reckoned with!
Congrats, dear!
J.
Well, hot damn! So exciting!
And, by the by, my favorite heroine / novel / series features the beguiling Anne Shirley, and is also categorized as YA.
YA fiction is a force to be reckoned with!
Congrats, dear!
J.
you amaze me xxx
Love these pictures of you!!! And hey, YA is known to be read by readers of all ages. That is most amazing! You'll reach much more readers this way! So happy you, I am very curious about your book :-).
My favorite author is Maggie Stiefvater at the moment – YA. She talks a lot about how to write on her blog. Perhaps someone who would come to SQUAM??? A propos Anne Shirley – I dearly love these books. They keep lying on my bedcase again and again…
Your printer had a long busy printer life :-).
Best, xo Kati
OMG cannot WAIT to read it! Squeeee!
It's a YA book?!! Don't tell me anymore or I might die from wanting to read it.
Life has been a little challenging of late and so I was checking my blog feed reader daily for your beautiful words. And there I was, telling my husband that, 'sigh … she hasn't blogged for AGES!' and there you were.
Not that I'm demanding or anything 🙂 there's just a little vicarious living done by my Belgian-based kiwi self.
huge congratulations on finishing the book. The photographs … cranked up my level of want when it comes to being a dog owner again.
Thanks for all.
We would totally make awesome roommates! Thank you darlin, for having me. When that Sinead CD came out, I swear I had it on repeat for at least a year. YA is in no way a bummer! It fueled my formative reading years and to this day, I am still reading a small selection of YA series. YOU WROTE A BOOK! I am so proud of you. So proud.
Love you so much.
xo B
oh Megsie– HOW much do I love “I finally lived long enough to see you finish that novel.”
SO flipping MUCH. That might be the coolest line, ever! And I promise, you will get to read it the moment it can be shared– promise!! xoxoxo, e
oh J that is RIGHT– Anne of Green Gables– okay then, this is looking up! Thank you so much for the shot to the arm. xoxo, e
okay– you guys are winning me over! This is super helpful and frankly, when I was 11 I had NOTHING to read– had read everything and there was nothing YA— it was going from Judy Blume to Flaubert . .. needed some transition! xoox
Congrats!! That is very cool. I love YA books. While my little ones play are in the library, I can't wander off to the adult section, I often peruse the teen section, and very, very often I end up checking out a book!
The photos are great, especially you snuggling your pup on the beach.
hope you don't mind being one of my test readers!!!! and HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY birthday to you– the WHOLE month is your birthday, darling Liz!! xoox, e
Really!!!??? oh my god– this is so exciting to me. I almost didn't share that part cause I was embarrassed that I was chagrined it wasn't “real” writing. and now? I am HAPPY cause you all are into it! Squeeeee! to be shared soonest, promise!! xoox, e
oh Di — first, I am so sorry for the challenges— life can really make it hard to start the day sometimes and I hope the worst of it is behind you. I am sending you big big big love and energies from the beach of ease and sunlight and sea air! Second, I am so inspired to share more knowing my words and pictures connect with you! I know I have told you before, but it thrills me to my core! Hang in there, girlfriend! Things will feel good again— I am living proof– the tides to turn, eventually. Meantime, while it is crunchy and challenging, breathe, breathe, breathe and be supremely gentle with yourself! xoxo, e
We COUlD SO be roommates!!!! But then I would want my name to be Bella, too!!
HAHAHHAHA thanks for the book props and making me feel beautiful with your amazing pictures!! xoox,e
Awwww– thank you Cat! I never even thought of that– the image of a mom hanging out in that section cause here kids are there and then stumbling on it like that! LOVE. xoxoox, e
and I? amd DAZZLED by you my sweetest gorgeous friend! xoox, e
Congratulations! And just what is wrong with YA novels? Good writing is good writing, no matter what the genre. I can't wait to buy the first edition and have it signed by the author!
And that picture of you and Henry? I can see the love in your eyes, even behind the sunglasses. I would love to meet him and Daisy some day. So sad they can't come to Squam.
Much love and a huge hug! ~~T.
Congratulations! Technical difficulties are nothing compared with the various difficulties one must overcome within to write a novel.
My Casey pup crosses his paws when surveying a scene in repose too. Sweet pups.
How absolutely WONDERFUL! 🙂 Congratulations!
And really, a good story is a good story, no matter the “genre”…
I promise next Spring I will sneak you off campus to meet them!! they will love that– xooxox!! thank you for ALL your support Teri!! you are the best, xo, e
ohhh THANK you Amy!! yeah, it's a weird journey, to be sure. what a rush to finish, though– am definitely on an adrenalin high!
and Casey sounds adorbs . .. oxox, e
Thank you Corinne!! I understand that, I do– it's just an adjustment in my head, I guess– but you guys are winning me over for sure!
thanks for the support– big love, e
I devour YA books and am unashamed at saying this. 🙂 Accordingly so, I look forward to settling in one day and tearing in to your book to get lost for a few hours. YOU WROTE A BOOK!!!! Awesome!! Clink, clink and chin, chin!!
By the way, those are adorable pictures of you and Henry. And, your hair is fabulous!! xoxo
Hi Eileen!!!!! ha ha YOU = HILARIOUS! I love that you see my hair as fabulous! hee and I am SO sending you a copy of this if you love YA– awesome sauce!! xoxo, e
Kati——me too! I actually just started re-reading the series (been having some trouble sleeping lately and I needed some 'scope for imagination' to get me to dreamland!) 😉
XOXO
Kati——me too! I actually just started re-reading the series (been having some trouble sleeping lately and I needed some 'scope for imagination' to get me to dreamland!) 😉
XOXO
Hi Elizabeth!! It is fabulous as are you!!! I would be honored to read it. xoxo
One more comment here – I wouldn't get too hung up on what genre it is – I do love me some good YA writing, but at the end of the day any and all storytelling can be worthy. Getting caught up in whether it's Literature to some reviewer or publisher isn't as important as: is it well written, is it beautiful, will it touch someone's heart? To me, genre is a bookselling convention and sometimes I think it can really hamper us as writers. Just my two cents, of course!
I'll join the chorus to say I'm thrilled for you! I'd love to read a novel of yours, I bet it is incredible. 🙂
genre schmenre. it is your writing. and i have to believe it is fabulous.
yay and yippee and yahooee!
Ah what an achievement – and I love how all your commenters have got this genre thing sorted – we're obsessed with labels in our world but good writing is good writing. I'm so excited for you and, well, beaches, just my favourite places.
wow Jen– what a loving and thoughtful and super SCHMAHT <---!! comment. Thank you. THANK you. I would be honored to share it with you! xoox, e
oh you are so biased– hee hee– but I love that you love me!! xoox, e
oh my darling Sarah!! YES. why did I get so hung up on that– such a silly thing– it is. I feel a zillion times better thanks to you ALL!! smooch smooch, e
I'm pretty sure “YA” stands for You Are Awesome! and YES Amen! And besides, aren't we all really young adults deep down?! 😉 Well done on reaching the beach in so many ways! Count me in for the book club! xoxo Kelly Hotchkiss
It's not so bad really 🙂 I'm in France tomorrow, and then off to Italy next week. It was one of 'those' days when I wrote. The big love and energy from the beach though … much appreciated. I miss dogs and beaches.
Breathing I am. And, as always, looking forward to your next post
xoxo
oh Kelly!!! I will count you in for EVERYthing— xooxox, e
OMG you finished your novel that is beyond amazing. I cant wait to read it.
YOU<--!!! Sue! You, have been there since the beginning!! Cannot wait to share it with you-- oxox, e