It has been an important day -- a momentous day -- and this is why I must go quiet for some time.
To stay off of social media, to pare down my blog reader to its skeleton, to read Truth and Beauty and wake up at 4 AM if I feel like it, which I did today.
Someone very important to me, an extraordinary writer, sold her debut short story collection today for an unheard-of sum, with unheard-of conditions from the publisher. A momentous day for the both of us, to be sure, but also a bone-rattling day and one that I found difficult on many levels. How can I feel secure on this most insecure of days?
Her email to me was what did it. I won't reprint it here, but she said:
Honor your book with your work. Honor your book with love. It is not done yet. It has so much more growing to do -- in so many no-doubt stunning ways. The greatest, greatest gift you can give yourself - and that, sadly, no one, not even me, can give you - is time.
I'll be seeing you, though I don't know when. Bon voyage to me.
xo,
Best of luck with your work. I can't wait to find it on a bookstore display. Enjoy the quiet.
Posted by: Anne | 05/26/2011 at 03:40 AM
I thought the following might be helpful. Reading your blog has meant something to me. Take care, and best of luck.
http://therumpus.net/2011/03/dear-sugar-the-rumpus-advice-column-69-we-are-all-savages-inside/
Posted by: diane chang | 05/26/2011 at 01:24 PM
Good luck and all the best! Enjoy the time, you certainly deserve it.
Posted by: leilani | 05/26/2011 at 02:16 PM
Bon Voyage, Meggy!
Enjoy the silence and be gentle with yourself. Your writing is beautiful and fills me with awe--keep working, for you, for your readers. May your quiet mornings be productive, full of golden light and comfort.
xoxo!
Lots of love,
Gina
Posted by: Gina | 05/27/2011 at 09:05 AM