Going into this year, I had two books to write. I still have two books to write (although I’m well underway). I sent this meme to one of my editors.
Luckily, she thought it was funny.
Many, many people related to this. In this same email, I confessed that I…threw out the bulk of the late manuscript and started over on August 1 (I’m keeping some things, of course, it wasn’t a wholesale deletion or anything—but I didn’t want to say it out loud until I was certain it had been the right call (it was) and not a fit of temporary madness. Sometimes, no matter how long you’ve been doing this, it happens. None of things that were wrong could be fixed any other way, and I think ultimately, it will mean a better, cleaner editorial process. For sure, it means that I feel much, much better about the book.
This year has been a beast, as previously discussed. I’d say the most challenging of my life on a personal level, and concentration and time and focus have been elusive quantities. I’ve been so very lucky to have the support of great, understanding editors and my agent, many others, obviously. But the fall is for work mainly, so I can get these projects finished and turned in, and go have some fun promoting The Frame-Up early next year. As we say in Appalachia, lord willing and the creek don’t rise. Knock on wood, petition the spirits, etcetera.
So, of course, I spent the past week sprucing the house and reorganizing (and selling some of our collectible books, because, believe or not, the lunatic stalker is still filing motions, though we’ve moved to have him declared a vexatious litigant, blergh, and we must deal with legal bills as a result even though C’s protective order is granted and in place for the maximum three years against him!).
The house looks FANTASTIC and I have at least two other work spots here now. And it was all to celebrate our 19th anniversary. And get ready to focus! Which I am now doing! Also, I’ve been making pet tiktoks. IT’S ALL PART OF THE PROCESS.
Anyway! Christopher will be on the road promoting The Navigating Fox this fall a bunch. Here are some places where you can catch him:
I might be at some of these, or I may be huddled in my garret writing. You should get the book and go, go, go if he’s in your part of the world, however.
My fall events are PesText Festival in Budapest, Hungary (where I will be for C’s release week, sadly, but which I am very excited about) later this month, and an in conversation with Cassandra Clare about Sword Catcher for Parnassus Books (tickets required) at the Nashville Public Library, and the Kentucky Book Festival in October.
The entire trilogy of The Youngbloods is now out on Audible and the reactions have been so fun. If you haven’t checked it out, now’s a great time to listen up. A taste of some typical reviews of book three!
And, last but not least, my brilliant, incredible friend Alex Narramore (who you might remember from our ghost hunting misadventure) has just launched a new Substack, The Mischief Maker. No one does what she does. Go check it out and subscribe. Thank me later!
More soon, and I hope it’s possible to stay cool where you are; here it is still like living on the surface of the sun. At least we’re not trapped at Burning Man, though, my literal nightmare. I leave you with one final thought, a poem from Rumi, from the collection Gold translated by Haleh Liza Gafori (highly recommended).
Yes, sometimes I dog-ear pages, especially if the book is for book club. I also hung this passage up nearby, as a reminder. Here’s to the ruckus.
G
Tossing your MS reminded me that Stephen King threw out a nearly completed MS because he thought it was lousy. His wife, Tabitha, fished it out, read it, and thought it was pretty good. It was Carrie.
“The mind’s doom-ridden chatter” would be a great name for my memoirs.