Friday, April 21, 2017

Freestyling

It's been an eventful couple of weeks. So much water has flowed under the bridge and I've been busy freestyling in the rapids, swallowing lots of river foam but mostly staying afloat. I mean that both in terms of my emotional life and my work life, which is a bit in high gear. I had meetings with editors and their teams this week. I was in a supportive role. The star of the show was the woman whose book I've been contracted to write, and she was charismatic and passionate. I think she sold it, except she wasn't actually selling; she was being fully authentic, and it came through. The other good news is, the proposal we wrote garnered some strong interest, and the agent believes we might get a book deal. We'll know for sure next week, when the bids are supposed to come in. It was fascinating the degree to which every room we were in had a different tone and temperature. Every editorial team focused on different aspects of the story, so it's hard to know who will be motivated to close the deal.

In any case, if the magic works, I will be working on writing this book for most of the rest of the year. The woman who is my subject is very emotionally open, and we have built trust during the process of crafting the proposal, so I'm going to have faith that all will be well. And the fact that I'm nervous right now about whether I can actually pull this off, well, that's just part of it. I like to imagine that in some parallel universe this book has already been written, and I just need to lean into it, channel it, listen to my subject, hear her heart, and do my best. It's exciting stuff—we're splashing in the big river now. I hope I'm not jinxing anygthing by prematurely reporting this here. Please send good thoughts.

In other news, my daughter is all moved in to her new apartment, all painting and plastering work completed. She and her boyfriend, my son and his girlfriend, and I spent last Saturday at Ikea, giving our opinions on items to outfit her space. She bought a rug, curtains, bathroom stuff, kitchen stuff, and it was all so much fun hanging with that crew. Then on Sunday, which was Easter, we gathered again. They all came over to our house, along with my friend Leslie, for my husband's smoked brisket and my corn-and-cheese casserole, followed by a pitcher of margaritas made from scratch by my husband and daughter. We watched a movie together, and hung out just chilling and talking late into the night, and then Leslie and my children and their significant others went home, and I got to experience how sweet it can be to have them in my house, and then hug them goodnight and settle into a peaceful night with my husband. It helps that our kids are both in relationships with lovely people, whom I got to know well and became very fond of while both kids were still living at home. All in all, a very emotionally grounding Easter for this new empty nester.

My friend Leslie brought me those flowers, which are called ranunculus. All week I've been reveling in their delicate shade of pink, and their layers like saucy crinolines.

13 comments:

  1. What a nice catch-up! Yes, it is perfect in many ways to have your children over and to all enjoy each other and then to have them go home and you, as the mama, stay home with the papa.
    Hurray on the book! There may or may not be parallel universes (I tend to think there are) but whatever, in THIS universe, I am sure that your brain is already writing and working things out. Which is another kind of magic.
    Those flowers are gorgeous! I've never heard of them but yes, like the camellias in winter and the Confederate Rose in summer, they are like pretty pink crinolines. Exactly!

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  2. Love the flowers and many congratulations on the book. Isn't it wonderful that your adult children can come and go? I'm sure your daughter will love her space and it is totally cool that you hang out with your son and daughter and their friends/partners. Thanks for visiting me today.

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  3. The think you must have one of the coolest jobs around. Deep down, I don't believe in jinxing so have no fear!

    My som's first apartment. Oi!

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  4. Those blooms are gorgeous. So glad your project is going well. And yes - the lovely quietness that comes after the lovely noise of grown-up kids visiting ... it's all part of the whole ...

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  5. Good thoughts sent. Sounds like can exciting project. Ranunculus comes in such vibrant colors and crinolines are a perfect description.
    Xoxo
    Barbara

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  6. Sounds wonderful -- all of it, especially the ease with which the kids came over for Easter and then left. I know this transition is hard and complicated -- it's one I dread, myself! My fingers are crossed for your next writing project!

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  7. It sounds like an exciting time and that things are going well. It's exciting to wait for something that you want to come through and think will come through. And isn't it so satisfying that your kids are partnered with people you like? You can relax and be happy and know they are too. All is good. I feel it and I want that for you and yours.

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  8. Such great news about your professional expertise and how it all works out. I am so happy for you.
    I struggled with the empty nest for a while. Actually, I still do after 12 years now! I know she is happy and well (and married) but I wasn't finished mothering, I'll never be. But life goes on and that feeling has become part of it. Empty nest mothering. Or rather: hankering after mothering in the empty nest.

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  9. Gorgeous flowers. Spring... change. *groan* The flowers are just here to smooth it over! Happy thoughts and hugs comin' yer way :o)

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  10. Sounds like Easter was a beautiful day for you and your family! Can't wait to hear more about your progess on the book as you write!

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  11. Sounds like a perfect Easter. I like having them all grown up at this time while I loved having a house full when they were growing up.

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  12. "Saucy crinolines" - I love that, it so perfectly describes a ranunculus.
    Your upcoming writing sounds like it will be so rewarding for you and for her. That only comes from a connection of trust, doesn't it?
    You know, when I am painting I always feel that the painting is in the paper (I think you'll get that) and it is just waiting for me to bring it out. I think that when you say, it's like the book has already been written, you just need to channel it, listen to your subject, you are describing the same thing. It's kind of like surrendering to the paper. You can do it.

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  13. That sounds like a terrific day, especially the margaritas. :) Love the flowers! I've heard of ranunculus (sp?) but don't know if I've ever seen one! They look like peonies, a bit.

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