Monday, March 21, 2022

Monday at the office

I added some new art to that wall above the big comfy couch. Never mind the skewed camera perspective, the frames are straight and the lamp doesn't have a spout on one side. When I sent that picture to my daughter to get her opinion, she texted back, "Caribbean colors, looks like you, love it!"  Caribbean colors—I hadn't consciously decided to reflect that, but I suppose those are the colors in which I dream. As for the curtains, I have tried different ones in the past weeks, variations on white, linen, teal and blue, but none of them pleased me as much as the bold red that currently hangs at my windows, and so now, I'm pressing pause on the buying and returning of drapes and letting those red curtains be. Besides, I like a pop of red when I stumble out each morning to start my day.

I turned in my manuscript last Thursday. Now I wait. My subject started reading on Friday, and texted me within fifteen minutes, saying "Hey YOU! OMG! This is so good! You captured my voice so well!" I was immediately and joyfully filled with love for this woman, who took the time to let me know that her initial response at least, was positive. It was such a kindness. I texted her back and told her how much I appreciated her letting me know her early impression, how it's always nerve-wracking turning in a piece of writing. She texted back, "Girl, I get it. I'm a writer too. I felt so guilty not writing my own book, but I could have never turned in something like this." She is so busy all the time, jumping on planes almost every day of the week, yet she made time to be generous and affirming. I have no idea if her first impression will be sustained throughout her reading of this first draft, but she took me a bit out of my misery, bless her. I still have to wait to see how it lands for her agent and the book editor, but whatever revisions might be needed from here, the heaviest lift in this memoir writing process is done.


A
nd now it is Monday again. The man and I are at the table by the window, working away. Stories for the new issue of the magazine are hitting my queue, so I better get cracking on editing them. Thank God for work (she said with feeling).

 

18 comments:

  1. I love the art over the couch, they are so cheerful.
    Curtain buying is just awful. The stores don't stock much anymore. I have spent hours, literally, wading through stuff on the web. We finally picked two candidates yesterday, so we'll see. They can be returned locally so that's good.

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    1. And also.... congratulations on the first draft of the book. It was very gracious of the subject to let you know she liked it.

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  2. I very much like those paintings! Their colors are the colors that would please me, as well. And frankly, your red curtains are doing their job with panache. So...
    What wonderful news of the manuscript! Hurray! Because really, the subject is the one you want to please. And thrill. Sounds as if you have done that.
    Love that picture of your handsome husband. He is such a beautiful man.

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  3. The photos you take of your beloved man always reach my heart. Such good news about the enthusiastic response to your writing. I so look forward to reading that book. The red curtains for your transformed living room. Yes!

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  4. GORGEOUS room- LOVE it! Welcoming and comfortable and lively as in nature lively. LOVE red curtains -I so agree, light through red is life! And your husband's shirt, vermilion million dollar man, my favorite color at the moment. Pleasing and lovely, all!

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  5. Excellent news about the initial response. Be proud!

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  6. Your living room looks welcoming and I am a fan of red. Congrats on the manuscript. I am late to all of this so I don't know the details, but it doesn't change the congratulations.

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  7. I love your living room. It looks beautiful, and the art is perfect. Love those red curtains.
    What a reassuring and lovely note from the writer/subject. Wonderful feedback.
    Life looks and sounds good there. Enjoy every moment.

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  8. If you want a bit of a change, but keeping to warm colours, I would go for the tangerine colour close to the cushions but a bit stronger, maybe in Duponi silk, if you are going for blinds or inner pull curtains. Love the art!!!
    So glad your subject loved the first draft. Life looks up, eh?

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  9. Your new art looks fabulous. The deep red drapes look quite nice and if they please you all is well. Congratulations on the first draft and the wonderful feedback. Your home office for two looks very comfortable.

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  10. They ARE Caribbean colors! And I like your red curtains, so I don't blame you for letting them be. Good news about your book subject! That's gotta be a big relief. :)

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  11. Your living room is looking so nice! That middle photo - your window view looks like a colorful painting! Glad your work is going so well!

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  12. I'm glad to be able to comment easily again! Your living room looks wonderful. I love the colours of sky and sand and water, too, living in a province almost completely surrounded by water. Your new art sets it all off.

    How good of your client to share her enthusiasm right away. I would be floating on air for days if I were you!

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  13. I love those colours. And I love the red curtains as they are.

    So the first draft done and the client loves it. Wonderful.

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  14. Congratulations! I love the colors!
    Xoxo
    Barbara

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  15. How is it that your view looks like a work of art? Stunning. Also, Caribbean was the first thing that came to mind as I looked the your first pic. Lovely.

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  16. Your place looks lovely! I answered your question in the comment section of the post. Congrats on the editing too.

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  17. I love the colourful artwork above your sofa. Nothing more inspiring than beautiful images and words. It appears you know how to create both.

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