Goodbye to summer…
A summer walk at Cheekwood Botanical Garden in Nashville…what a beautiful morning that was.
The writing life: dedication
Lately one of the most common questions I get from readers and writers (aspiring and published) is: how do you handle the inevitable ups and downs of a writing career? I suspect the frequency of this question arises from the uncertainties of the times in which we live and write. Publishing is undergoing seismic changes. The economy feels like it’s one curve away from a repeat of disaster. Many of us are cleaning up and rebuilding after catastrophic natural disasters.
The name of this blog, “Out on a Limb,” comes from my early writing days as a kid, when I’d climb a tree with a pad and pen, sit up on my favorite branch and spin stories. I’d look out toward the wilderness of the vast Quabbin reservoir and dream of being a published writer. I worked hard and slowly but surely I started to let people read my works-in-progress. First, my sisters. Then, a friend. Then, a high school teacher. Eventually, not long after my first child was born, I submitted my work to an agent, and she took me on and I sold my first books.
I don’t know a writer who hasn’t faced the slings and arrows that can come with a writing career — or any career! It’s easy to tell writers to develop a thick skin and to persevere in the face of rejection and disappointment, but that sounds like a slog in a bug-infested swamp to me. I’ve learned to think a little differently. What I am — what I’ve been since I was a kid up on my favorite sugar maple branch — is dedicated to my writing. My passion and excitement for writing are as strong now as they were when I was eleven up in that tree.
Dedication is what allows us to be open-minded, to grow and to learn…to take risks…to hope…to keep writing even in the face of crushing rejection and heart-breaking disappointment. A writer I know recently encountered a difficult and unexpected career setback. She didn’t pretend it didn’t happen: she got in touch with the emotions that come with having high hopes dashed. Then she got back to writing. Why? Dedication. She cares about what she does, and her excitement, passion, enthusiasm and love of the work brought her back to it.
In his excellent book, THE ACCIDENTAL CREATIVE: HOW TO BE BRILLIANT AT A MOMENT’S NOTICE, Todd Henry says, “Our best creative work comes from a mindset of abundance and generosity rather than one of scarcity.” Yes! In my view, dedication to our writing frees us to take the steps that we need to take in order to create in “a climate of abundance.”
It’s more fun, too. 
Have a great day, everyone,
Carla
Portsmouth!
Just a quick post as I get ready to speak on creative focus, vision and dedication here in Portsmouth, NH, and the local RWA group’s “Fall Fling” conference. I see sunshine and blue sky breaking through the clouds above the harbor!
Two books in particular helped me prepare for this speech. One is a longtime favorite, A WRITER’S TIME by Kenneth Atchity. The other is new to me and I think it’s fabulous — THE ACCIDENTAL CREATIVE by Todd Henry. I highly recommend both books to any writer.
But, more later. I have to checkout of my hotel room and get busy!
Have a great day, everyone.
Carla
Lincoln, NH, on Thursday!
This Thursday I’ll be driving over the Connecticut River and up to Lincoln, NH, to give a talk for the Lincoln Public Library. We’re meeting at the historical society right next door to the library. We might have showers; we might not. Whatever the case, I’m looking forward to seeing everyone! On the way up there, I plan to visit my youngest brother and his family, a short detour to Lake Winnepesaukee (the setting for KISS THE MOON!). I’ll be talking about SAINT’S GATE, writing, research and what’s next for me…and answering questions.
Should be a lot of fun. If you’re in the area, stop in!
Meanwhile, we had lunch today in Woodstock, Vermont, just down the road from us. Repairs on the damages from Irene are moving nonstop. We heard about people working 16 and 18 hour days to help Vermont recover from the flash flooding and couldn’t be more grateful. The downtown businesses in Woodstock are open for business. It’s a great time to be in Vermont! If you’re planning a trip, just check http://vermontvacation.com/.
Have a great day,
Carla
Update from Vermont
Out On A Limb
Our little covered bridge, a replica that crosses the Ottauquechee River at a narrow point in the village, is salvageable, and will reopen eventually. Right now our thoughts are foremost with those who have suffered personally up and down the east coast from Irene’s devastation.
Thank you for all your support, and I hope you’ll consider a visit to Vermont soon! Irene didn’t blow the leaves off the trees, and I for one am looking forward to a bright, beautiful autumn. Right now, I’m hard at work in my hilltop office on HERON’S COVE, the next up in my Sharpe & Donovan series.
Carla
Fried Apricot Pies!
Many readers have written to me for the recipes for fried apricot pies and squash casserole that archaeologist Sarah Dunnemore whips up as she copes with the sniper attack on her Deputy U.S. Marshal brother in NIGHT’S LANDING. Both are perfect late-summer fare! You can find them here on my website. I’ll be adding more recipes using Maine wild blueberries…apples…lobster…we’ll see.
We’ve been out and about, and the damage to our roads and bridges and so many homes and businesses is incredible. The good news is the speed at which the cleanup and repairs are happening and how our small towns here in Vermont are pulling together.
Have a great day!
Home in Vermont after Irene
I’m home in Vermont, where the cleanup and rebuilding after the devastation of Irene are underway. Many thanks to all the work crews, public safety personnel, the National Guard, Red Cross and so many others who swooped into hard-hit towns. It’s weird to see so many helicopters overhead! I noticed this morning that a crew from New Hampshire is among those working to repair our little covered bridge.
I watched Irene churn up the Atlantic while I was on tour for SAINT’S GATE last week. I had such a great time in Savannah, Nashville and Columbus! It’s always a pleasure to meet readers, writers and booksellers, and what great cities. I left signed books…so if you’re in the area, you can stop in at your local bookstore and see if they have a signed copy of SAINT’S GATE.
Meanwhile, the e-book edition of SAINT’S GATE is available today.
Take care, and happy reading!
Carla
P.S. I love this photo I took on a quiet walk along the inner waters of Kenmare Bay…
On to Nashville!
Savannah is truly a beautiful city. I’d love to come back with my family and explore. And shop! I passed some enticing-looking stores. It’s a wonderful walking city, too. I got out yesterday for a good walk through several of Savannah’s famous squares. It was humid but not too hot. I loved seeing the moss hanging from the live oaks.
I had a great time chatting with the folks at WJCL-TV Fox & WTGS-TV ABC and at WTOC-TV CBS, and with the fabulous Bill Edwoards at WTKS-AM. Many thanks for the warm welcome from readers last night at the Barnes & Noble at Oglethorpe Mall! If you couldn’t make it, I left signed copies of SAINT’S GATE.
Now I’m off to Nashville. It’s sort of my home-away-from-home. I’ll be at the Barnes & Noble in Brentwood tomorrow at 7 PM. Stop by if you’re in the area! We had such a good time last night here in Savannah…I know we will tomorrow night in Nashville, too.
Meanwhile, I didn’t feel the earthquake yesterday but my daughter in Boston did. We’re not used to earthquakes in the east! We’re also watching the path of Irene. Stay safe.
Take care, and have a great day,
Carla
On my way to Savannah, Nashville and Columbus
It’s a murky morning here in Vermont as I get ready to head to Savannah, Nashville and Columbus next week on my SAINT’S GATE tour. I’ve checked the weather forecast: it’ll be hot. Big surprise!
I’ve visited Savannah once, in October, and loved it. I took the bus tour of the city with its beautiful architecture, and I sat with a book in one of the squares. Lovely, lovely city. I’ll be signing at the Barnes & Noble at the Oglethorpe Mall from 7 to 9 PM on Tuesday, August 23.
Nashville’s like a second home for me. I’ve been there many times in August. Joe’s from a town just to the east and he and our daughter both graduated from Vanderbilt University. In fact, we’re going to be there in October for the Vanderbilt reunion. I’ll be signing at the Barnes & Noble in beautiful Brentwood from 7 to 9 PM on Thursday, August 25. I’ll be spending the weekend in town and plan to pop over to visit my in-laws, an amazing couple still living on their own in their nineties. We’re also members of Cheekwood…I know I’ll get there for a wander in the gardens. (I’m including a picture of Cheekwood in early April!)
Then it’s on to Columbus. A few years ago I did a multi-author bus tour of Walmarts in the Columbus area. We had a blast but I never knew where we were! We had dinner at a restaurant with an aquarium on the floor…it was great. I wonder if it’s still there. Anyway, I’ll be signing at the Lennox Town Barnes & Noble from 7 to 9 PM on Monday, August 29.
The following weekend I’ll be at my family’s homestead on the western edge of the Quabbin Reservoir for a Labor Day weekend get-together. Looks as if all six of my brothers and sisters will be there!
I hope you’re enjoying these last days of August. Some of my friends around the country can’t wait for summer to end and others can’t wait for it finally to arrive.
Have a great day,
Carla
Trailer for SAINT’S GATE
A week from today, I’ll be heading to Savannah for the first stop on my SAINT’S GATE tour. I can’t wait. Meanwhile, you can click on my first-ever trailer. It captures the tone of SAINT’S GATE, and I just love the music! Let me know what you think.
