Wednesday, May 19, 2010
And it is outta here!
Whew, another revision of the new memoir is out in the world of NY publishing. It is titled Gone Home and I believe that is the final title. I'm happy with the way it sounds and the image it creates. Home. What is more seductive than going home?
Each time I send a book out there, it is like watching a beloved child take off on a trip that I cannot supervise. Here, in Portland, I worry and wonder:
"Did I pack enough in those pages?"
"Was my message clear?"
"Will my baby make it?"
~
My neighbor, who was snowboarding and body checked by a fellow snowboarder, lies in her bed with very little to do. I stopped over on a visit and noticed she was reading Eat, Pray, Love . I gently suggested we might be able to do better. After all, I like EPL well enough but found it to be a romance novel disguised as a memoir. Classic Harlequin format.
"If you want to read a memoir," I began and proceeded to recommend tons of great books. And then I added, "and I just finished my book too!"
Talk about a captive audience. With her approval, I carefully laid my revised manuscript in her lap and she read it in...A DAY. Okay, so she is a total captive and she in on meds for pain, but it was so sweet to have her be so happy about this manuscript.
She said, "I want to write a memoir too, how do you do that?"
"Read a lot of memoirs," I said. "Take classes. Write. All the time. Five hours a day."
~
Memoir has been a tool on my journey for 15 years now. It's not easy to plow into your own life with a pen (or in my case, a MacBook). But you learn a lot about yourself. I have.
If you want to read the first three chapters of Gone Home head on over to the Jennifer Lauck Fan Page on Facebook, and tap on the Discussions Tab. There the are. Read on. (Hey, send me a comment. I want to hear from you).
~
As I sit here, in the quiet of my home, the rain falls as if dropped by a massive bucket--heavy and hard. I continue to wonder about my manuscript:
How will my little book do on the desks of editors?
Will NY treat those pages right or will my little creation get mugged?
Will she meet a handsome man who takes her out for a nice meal and then tries to take advantage of her?
Will she see a few museums and take a walk through the park?
How I wish I was with her-to explain what needed to be explained, to keep her safe and to deliver her to the right editor.
Is it true that if my book "can make it there, she'll make it any where?"
I don't know but I guess it's up to you, New York, Neeeeewwwww York.
2 Comments:
Oh Jennifer I am so excited for you!! This is the best, not only will your editors love it, but they will send you flowers!
Please keep us posted...all of my best going to you.
I know, isn't that exciting. I hope your prediction is true. We shall see!
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