Writing here has meant rewriting here, taking things apart. It has required long walks and a settling in above the old laptop at 3 AM or 4 each day; I was here, after all, to write. I had better make use of the days. Clients await me. The final projects of my beloved Penn students. Reviews. A contest or two to judge. A son's graduation. Interviews. Small Damages. If I couldn't do it here, I wouldn't do it at all. I felt the pressure immensely.
This morning, at this hour, the book isn't done. It is, however, intimately understood and my anxiety is gone. There will be a storm here later today; in the gray dawn outside the waves are churning. I will always be grateful to Beach Haven for letting me breathe, for restoring my own faith in me. And I will always be grateful to my husband, too, who gave me room to work, who heard me, weeks and weeks ago, when I said, "I'd give anything for just a few, spare writing days."
4 Comments on thoughts on leaving Beach Haven, and on the making of a book, last added: 4/16/2012
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I can imagine how much you must crave this, a little time carved out just for one purpose.
I’m so happy you had it, and were able to make such good use of it.
Yay Beth! Knowing where you're going with the book has to be the most important thing. :)
That's wonderful that you were able to take some time to write, and in such a beautiful place too. That husband of yours is a keeper, as my mema would say. :)
This is a wonderful picture...and I love how dedicated you are, even though you are not sleeping.