In my blog surfing the last few days, I have run across several blogs by literary agents. The tone of these blogs troubles me because the bottom line is that writers are powerless, that they are basically idiots who are deluded enough to think their stories, their memoirs, their novels, their ideas, will be published.
So pull up a chair, get your cup of strong coffee, and let me tell you a story about how it looks from a writer’s point of view.
1985. My first novel, In Shadow, has been published by Ballantine Books. The manuscript had been rejected by 24 publishers. And that was in the days when there were many more publishers than there are today. A young prince named Chris Cox bought it. He understood the story, he loved it, and I loved him for his confidence in the book.Like most new authors, I accepted any invitation that came my way to publicize the book.
We were living in Fort Lauderdale at the time, where there was a mystery bookstore that had invited me to do a signing. That’s where you, the author, sit at a table and sign books for any customer who comes into the store and purchases your novel. It’s a lot like hawking Girl Scout cookies. It is not my favorite publicity venue.So while I’m sitting at this table, in walks an attractive woman in her thirties.
She’s not one of these customers who asks how I got the idea for the novel. She doesn’t ask how long it took me to write the book.We chat. She’s into Seth – a huge landmark for me – and the I Ching – another big landmark. And she seems to know the I Ching backwards and forward. Give her a hexagram number, and she tells you the title. She bought a couple copies of In Shadow and I learned that she was from Kansas and was visiting friends in Fort Lauderdale. Her name was Nancy Pickard. Since there wasn’t any internet or email in those days, we traded phone numbers.
This was the beginning of a friendship that has endured 25 years. When I was pregnant with Megan and feeling uncertain as a 41-year-old woman facing motherhood, Nancy and I and her young son took a walk on the beach and talked about motherhood. We joked that her son and my daughter to be would meet and fall in love and we would finally get to be related. When my first editor died, she was my guiding light about the direction of my writing. When her personal life took a dive, I offered what I could. You get the idea here. We have always been there for each other, as writers, as women, as friends, as people connected at some deeper level.
Because our spiritual and creative foundations are so similar, we share a common language, a common vision. We have always been spiritual sisters. When we drop into each other’s lives, magic happens, synchronicity abounds. We know that without writers, there would be no publishing industry, no agents, no TV, no movies, nothing. It all begins with storytelling.
Today, I got an email from Nancy about her newest novel – The Scent of Rain and Lightning. It has hit The List, the only list that really matters to writers, the New York Times. It comes in at #19 on the extended list. “It’s only taken 30 years,” she wrote.
Thirty years. Think about that for a moment. Three decades of typing, of churning out stories. Thirty years and so much inner work, tweaking of beliefs, paying attention to your dreams, interpreting them, taking your cues from those dreams. And, ultimately, it took believing it could happen, that her work was powerful enough to compete. The Scent of Rain and Lightning is proof of a writer at the apex of her talents. The book is magnificent.
The message for the rest of us is simple. It all begins with belief.If you don’t believe in yourself, in your skills and talents, no one else will believe, either. It may not be as simple as the law of attraction, but that’s a great place to start.
Way to go, Nancita! No one deserves it more.
Sally! Wonderful to hear from you. I understand your books are also selling like the proverbial hot cakes. Way to go! Hope all is well with you and Don!
Dear, dear Trish–
What a moving, eloquent post. I loved reading it, loved visiting those years through your words, imagining the walk on the beach—and all the subsequent visits when the 3 of you would settle into your own books, filling the air with creative thought.
Thank you for sharing these lovely memories of you and Nancy.
Sally
Hi Beth – thanks for stopping by!
Thanks for sharing the story of how you two met! Nancy's a great friend, and has been so supportive of my own writing career. I'm thrilled she's getting the recognition she deserves, and can't wait to read this book. Hopefully I'll get to meet you someday, too!
Terri – psychic claims and all: you'll enjoy nancy's book.
Nancy's been on my list to read for a while now, this is a great nudge for me to pop her to the top of the list. Of course I did go to her site and read her free shorts – which means I know I like her style so look forward to reading more!
I also love hearing about your sisters connection for so many years. Writers are a unique breed and it's so awesome to find someone who speaks the language.
WV: psyclame
(hmm – psychic claim?
Marlene – I think we all need this reminder. Daily. Maybe hourly!!
Trish, Perfect post…I needed the reminder today that it all begins with our belief in ourselves. Congrats to Nancy. I will pick up the book!
You're back! How was Costa Rica??
That's a wonderful story with great perspective!! :o)
Birgitte, Claudine, Beth, thanks to all you folks for dropping by. Glad Jason sent out his email! Welcome and please send us any synchronicities you would like to share. We're happy to post them.
– Trish
I didn't even know what synchronicity was, but reading this, I know I believe in it, wherever its power comes from. Great, exciting, affirming post about writing, friendship, and faith.
Can't wait to read the book.
Claudine
Great article! I've had that same synchronicity experience with a few people who have gone on to be very important, not only to my writer self, but my whole self. (Not that those two are at all different!)
Have to know…did your kids end up getting married? 🙂
Lorin! Thanks for stopping by. Hope all is well with you!
Wonderful post, Trish!! Can't wait to get YOUR new book and have Nancy's on order from Amazon.
Hope our paths will cross again soon, but the inspiration is GREATLY appreciated today!
Lorin O.
what an incredibly beautiful and meaningful story trish – yours – and nancy's – and the two of you together – and the one you give us all – meaningful and inspirational in so many ways – and it's so true, it all begins with/in each of us – everything begins there – what a journey of 30 years for nancy – congratulations, lady!!! – and trish, congratulations to you, as well – you've come a long way, too!!! fabulous post!!! thank you!!!
How great is this….last night my hubby took me to B&N to purchase a book by one of my favorite authors, with a Mother's Day gift card from one of our sons. When I found the book I sought, Nancy's book was sitting right beside it on the shelf! Now I shall go back and buy it! Can hardly wait for the wonderful read! And, as if that weren't enough, as I was walking in the door of B&N, I literally ran into one of my close friends who was with one of her close friends, who is also an author, and also named Nancy! I just love it when a plan comes together! CONGRATULATIONS, Nancy P. and cudos for staying in the game! cc
Very inspiring!
Definitely about time!
Inspiring post and many congrats to Nancy. Having been a fan of her writing for many years, I say "It's about time!"
Thank you, "sis." It's all true.
With much love to my friend Trish,
from her friend Nancy P.
This is fantastic! I'll order the book today. As for this very inspirational post, thank you. You always say all the right things that keep me facing forward..
I love a happy ending…and good books. You can be sure I'll be visiting my amazon book order list today and adding this one. Love the artwork on the cover. That alone is pulling me in. Thanks for the recommend.
Adele – they met when Megan was a baby. So far, they haven't met as adults.
Mike – total agreement.
DJan – the book is fabulous.
Hey Nat – knew you'd like this one.
Great post and your final paragraph says it all. If we don't believe in ourselves why should anyone else bother?
Most children believe – all things are possible to them. They can build castles and conquer the world. Somehow this often gets knocked out of them by regimental education and other negativity.
Believe and all of those dreams really can come true.
How sweet, the whole thing: the story of two writers meeting and caring and supporting each other through thick and thin. And with a happy ending, too. Have you read the book? Should I go out and get it?
I love this story. And I want to know if your two children got together as you wished?
I'm a hopeless romantic.
Adele
That is a fantastic post, Trish.
Go Nancy!