Challenging Times
09/02/10 08:37 Filed in: Writing
These are trying times.
And not just because it's winter. Yes, both Patti and I have been feeling under the weather recently (both literally, with New Brunswick in the grip of brutal cold combined with incessant wind, and figuratively, each of us dealing with a variety of illness as well as aches and pains) but then comes the bad news.
My brother-in-law lost his mother on the weekend, a difficult period in any one's life, made even more challenging by the fact that an ocean separates them. And I learned from a good friend and writing buddy back in Ontario that she has been diagnosed with an advanced case of cancer, that she's been told it's a battle she can't ultimately win.
I sit in awe of the grace and dignity with which both my brother-in-law and my friend are dealing with these difficult developments in their lives. I lost my mother to cancer just under a year ago and I believe I have some small idea of what each must be going through right now. I wish them both comfort and consolation as they move forward.
In the meantime, Patti has been kind enough to start a review of The Silent Goodbye, my latest completed Phillip Gold novel. She's an intense and intent reader, with amazing insight into the process of writing, and I value her comments immensely. I do find it hard, however, to sit in the same room with her while she's reading it: I find myself watching for any sort of positive response, for a nod or a smile or even an excited widening of her eyes. She's so intense, though, that I have no clue if she's loving it, hating it or bored (I was going to say "to tears" but, as I said, she's so intense she gives away nothing as she reads).
So far, she's made a number of comments that are very helpful, mostly on small points. I'm quite interested to read her comments in detail and to hear her overall assessment when she's done. I have already started considering rewrites I might make but I'll hear from Patti first and then take a close look.
To all my other trusted readers, be ready. The Silent Goodbye will be coming your way soon.
And not just because it's winter. Yes, both Patti and I have been feeling under the weather recently (both literally, with New Brunswick in the grip of brutal cold combined with incessant wind, and figuratively, each of us dealing with a variety of illness as well as aches and pains) but then comes the bad news.
My brother-in-law lost his mother on the weekend, a difficult period in any one's life, made even more challenging by the fact that an ocean separates them. And I learned from a good friend and writing buddy back in Ontario that she has been diagnosed with an advanced case of cancer, that she's been told it's a battle she can't ultimately win.
I sit in awe of the grace and dignity with which both my brother-in-law and my friend are dealing with these difficult developments in their lives. I lost my mother to cancer just under a year ago and I believe I have some small idea of what each must be going through right now. I wish them both comfort and consolation as they move forward.
In the meantime, Patti has been kind enough to start a review of The Silent Goodbye, my latest completed Phillip Gold novel. She's an intense and intent reader, with amazing insight into the process of writing, and I value her comments immensely. I do find it hard, however, to sit in the same room with her while she's reading it: I find myself watching for any sort of positive response, for a nod or a smile or even an excited widening of her eyes. She's so intense, though, that I have no clue if she's loving it, hating it or bored (I was going to say "to tears" but, as I said, she's so intense she gives away nothing as she reads).
So far, she's made a number of comments that are very helpful, mostly on small points. I'm quite interested to read her comments in detail and to hear her overall assessment when she's done. I have already started considering rewrites I might make but I'll hear from Patti first and then take a close look.
To all my other trusted readers, be ready. The Silent Goodbye will be coming your way soon.