I DO live in a crumbling Vermont farmhouse!! It's where I rebuilt myself during menopause transition. I'm writing a memoir about it. There's not much sex, but there is desire--and a wizard. ❤️☘️
I really needed this. For the past seven months I've been working hard on a book proposal about the women who tend wild ducks on a remote Norwegian archipelago and just last week I found out that a bestselling nature author is publishing, essentially, the same book (which my agent says somehow wasn't listed in the publisher's marketplace book deals database back when I started the proposal). It's only been a few days since I got the news and I'm grieving. But I'm also weirdly looking forward to reading this other guy's book, happy the story has made it into the world. I'm going to tuck these words into my pocket: "We do what we do because we love it. We try, and see what happens, and then we try again." <3
Oh my goodness, what are the chances?! That is, indeed, devastating, and I would have loved to read your version, Devon. Which perhaps I will someday, in another form? Solidarity for the journey of it—💗
Thank you! For what it's worth, I would have loved to read your midlife novel about a woman living in a crumbling farmhouse in Vermont who goes on a road trip. And I also cannot wait to read a novel about women artists and a lake and a ghost. It sounds fantastic.
I love this. Your generous, big-hearted response to finding your narrative in another's is inspiring. I get childishly petulant when I read things that mirror my ideas (no work has been done - I'm just busy having ideas). I haven't read the others (yet), but THE SHAME was so so good. I still think about it. This also made me think of Dana Spiotta's WAYWARD, another excellent example from the same time. We're out here, reading and writing our midlife stories. We are legion. Keep writing.
Oh yes, Wayward! I read that one as well—another beauty rooted in similar feelings. It took me a couple years to gain this clarity & acceptance—I was a hot mess for a while. Distance: a gift. And The Shame—yes, a gem!
I have a published novel, The Not Wives, that came out in 2019, which is kind of my failed All Fours, though it's also kind of different ofc lol. But I like the idea of zeitgeist books. What about books that were ahead of the zeitgeist, but no one has ever heard of them because they were smaller indie books?
Your book looks so good! And yeah, maybe ahead of its time, by a year or two. The publishing world is so fickle that way. I look forward to reading it!
Aww thank you! I’m sorry you didn’t find a home for your book. I’ve been through that with two other novels. It’s rough. I’m impressed that you’ve reset and are working on another novel. I can’t wait to read it!
I admire, and am mildly astonished (can you BE mildly astonished?), that you were able to move on from a writing project so close to your heart and so long in the making. What a humble thing to realize your story is best told by the four women (or was it five) whose work you read. I admire you for setting it aside, for going on to a new idea, with new energy. And your advice -- the outcome of your sortie -- is spot on: write a story that is unique, that no one else can tell. I appreciate that thought; good advice and also very optimistic.
I am farther back on the process with my first book. Five plus years. Now in the hands of an agent I never thought I'd get who gave me terrific suggestions. I await her re-read and, no doubt, a few other quick fixes, and out it will go.
What will happen? You are right. It IS a crap shoot and I should start thinking of it that way, but, then again, it was a total crap shoot that I wrote THIS agent who is, well, a veteran. She will get me the best possible roll.
Or I will self-publish. I had a whole plan for that -- and some collaborators -- so that might not be too bad. At least now I know people like it. See it is different. And I know the understory is not like anyone else's, at least not in the telling.
I wish you luck and encouragement on your new story. I hope you find a rhythm to keep you going, to keep the energy going. Mine muse was music. I listened each writing session to cello, Julia Kent to be precise, and I listened to her only when I wrote. Each day, eash session, she brought me right back to the day before, the right place, the right frame of mind.
Best to you.
gg
P.S. I just bought "All Fours." I needed a new book. thanks.
Congratulations on your agent, Geoffrey! That's fabulous--finding someone with excitement and faith. And yes, if it doesn't pan out there are other roads ahead. I'm glad you've already imagined them. Julia Kent as muse--I love that. Will listen. -r
Hi Robin, Thank you for your vulnerability in sharing your process. I loved All Fours. I enjoyed The Shame. I haven't read the two others. I love your commitment to the process, to why we do this at all. I've had a hard time getting a publisher for my second book. I'm finally going with a press outside of the literary world, and that feels good, but I've had similar dark defeating moments. I enjoy receiving your thoughts on writing in my inbox, and I hope to subscribe and support you. :) Your next book sounds incredible. Thank you! :)
Thank you, Melissa! I can’t wait to read your next book, and am so glad you found a publisher. Glad to be on this journey alongside you & your beautiful work—
I DO live in a crumbling Vermont farmhouse!! It's where I rebuilt myself during menopause transition. I'm writing a memoir about it. There's not much sex, but there is desire--and a wizard. ❤️☘️
I can’t wait to read this memoir! Especially the part about about the wizard.
I really needed this. For the past seven months I've been working hard on a book proposal about the women who tend wild ducks on a remote Norwegian archipelago and just last week I found out that a bestselling nature author is publishing, essentially, the same book (which my agent says somehow wasn't listed in the publisher's marketplace book deals database back when I started the proposal). It's only been a few days since I got the news and I'm grieving. But I'm also weirdly looking forward to reading this other guy's book, happy the story has made it into the world. I'm going to tuck these words into my pocket: "We do what we do because we love it. We try, and see what happens, and then we try again." <3
Oh my goodness, what are the chances?! That is, indeed, devastating, and I would have loved to read your version, Devon. Which perhaps I will someday, in another form? Solidarity for the journey of it—💗
Thank you! For what it's worth, I would have loved to read your midlife novel about a woman living in a crumbling farmhouse in Vermont who goes on a road trip. And I also cannot wait to read a novel about women artists and a lake and a ghost. It sounds fantastic.
💗
I love this. Your generous, big-hearted response to finding your narrative in another's is inspiring. I get childishly petulant when I read things that mirror my ideas (no work has been done - I'm just busy having ideas). I haven't read the others (yet), but THE SHAME was so so good. I still think about it. This also made me think of Dana Spiotta's WAYWARD, another excellent example from the same time. We're out here, reading and writing our midlife stories. We are legion. Keep writing.
Oh yes, Wayward! I read that one as well—another beauty rooted in similar feelings. It took me a couple years to gain this clarity & acceptance—I was a hot mess for a while. Distance: a gift. And The Shame—yes, a gem!
I really love this. Thank you.
Yes and thanks!
🙏🏼
I have a published novel, The Not Wives, that came out in 2019, which is kind of my failed All Fours, though it's also kind of different ofc lol. But I like the idea of zeitgeist books. What about books that were ahead of the zeitgeist, but no one has ever heard of them because they were smaller indie books?
Your book looks so good! And yeah, maybe ahead of its time, by a year or two. The publishing world is so fickle that way. I look forward to reading it!
Aww thank you! I’m sorry you didn’t find a home for your book. I’ve been through that with two other novels. It’s rough. I’m impressed that you’ve reset and are working on another novel. I can’t wait to read it!
Looks like you have two other books! Excited to check them out!
I admire, and am mildly astonished (can you BE mildly astonished?), that you were able to move on from a writing project so close to your heart and so long in the making. What a humble thing to realize your story is best told by the four women (or was it five) whose work you read. I admire you for setting it aside, for going on to a new idea, with new energy. And your advice -- the outcome of your sortie -- is spot on: write a story that is unique, that no one else can tell. I appreciate that thought; good advice and also very optimistic.
I am farther back on the process with my first book. Five plus years. Now in the hands of an agent I never thought I'd get who gave me terrific suggestions. I await her re-read and, no doubt, a few other quick fixes, and out it will go.
What will happen? You are right. It IS a crap shoot and I should start thinking of it that way, but, then again, it was a total crap shoot that I wrote THIS agent who is, well, a veteran. She will get me the best possible roll.
Or I will self-publish. I had a whole plan for that -- and some collaborators -- so that might not be too bad. At least now I know people like it. See it is different. And I know the understory is not like anyone else's, at least not in the telling.
I wish you luck and encouragement on your new story. I hope you find a rhythm to keep you going, to keep the energy going. Mine muse was music. I listened each writing session to cello, Julia Kent to be precise, and I listened to her only when I wrote. Each day, eash session, she brought me right back to the day before, the right place, the right frame of mind.
Best to you.
gg
P.S. I just bought "All Fours." I needed a new book. thanks.
Congratulations on your agent, Geoffrey! That's fabulous--finding someone with excitement and faith. And yes, if it doesn't pan out there are other roads ahead. I'm glad you've already imagined them. Julia Kent as muse--I love that. Will listen. -r
Here's a link (spotify): https://open.spotify.com/artist/2YJXo1ERQAO7r4hQtu2vFc?si=MEkuYRu_TxittUAX7N3D2g
she and i have exchanged several emails on the connection between music and writing and music and creativity in general. v
Hi Robin, Thank you for your vulnerability in sharing your process. I loved All Fours. I enjoyed The Shame. I haven't read the two others. I love your commitment to the process, to why we do this at all. I've had a hard time getting a publisher for my second book. I'm finally going with a press outside of the literary world, and that feels good, but I've had similar dark defeating moments. I enjoy receiving your thoughts on writing in my inbox, and I hope to subscribe and support you. :) Your next book sounds incredible. Thank you! :)
Thank you, Melissa! I can’t wait to read your next book, and am so glad you found a publisher. Glad to be on this journey alongside you & your beautiful work—
Thank you for this honesty.
No secrets/no shame. Just understanding the flow—
I love this, Robin.
Thank you 🙏🏼
This is so beautiful. Thank you, Robin.
Thanks for reading, Becky! I’ll see you this week. 💚