I was away and when I went away, I went away from myself as a writer—extracted myself from the pressures, the confusions, the fears. I read the work of others instead. Walked hours every day through crooked streets with a heavy camera taking photos of
places, of
faces, of
fashion. Ate gelato at any hour. Learned the history of the Polish people, spent time in Schindler's Factory, visited (with a hushed heart) Auschwitz and Birkenau, walked the grounds of Wawel Castle, happily trekked through a dragon's den, and less happily endured the terror of an underground cave with shoulder-wide passageways. Spent beautiful, wonderful, thirtieth anniversary time with the husband who has taken to calling me (I can't imagine why), "Miss Daisy."
(The other husband just calls me "Beth.")
But I had much to do when I returned, and today I've been taking care of some of that business. There's a new afterword to write for
Handling the Truth. Proof pages of
Love: A Philadelphia Affair to read through. A review of a favorite author's book to write. Final preparations for this weekend's events at the
Bethlehem Area Public Library and the
Moravian Writers' Conference. (Join us for the keynote. We would love to see you.) When you go away and then return everything is seen from a new angle. I am aware always, and especially now, of how hard getting writing right is, and how much more I have yet to learn.
While away, I heard from dear Taylor Norman at Chronicle Books that the e-book version of
Going Over—as well as ten other Chronicle books—can now be purchased for $1.99 during the next two weeks. The link to that fabulous opportunity is
here.I also learned about two kind reviews of
One Thing Stolen—the first by my dear friend Florinda, who reads with such extreme care and who writes with such authority. Thank you, Florinda, for
these original, knowing, thoughtful, generous words. You have been such a faithful, important reader of my books. You have understood my purpose.The second review, posted on the Once Upon a Bookcase blog, is
here. I cherish this review because it is written by a reader who wasn't quite sure, when she heard that Nadia was a thief, that this book would be for her. She gave it a chance anyway. And I am grateful.
I'm looking forward to my Moravian Writers' Conference/
Bethlehem weekend. It all gets started here, at the Bethlehem Area Public Library, with a fundraiser. Did Josh Berk and his team do an amazing job of straightening my hair, or what?
(Josh informs me that, when he and his graphics team aren't around to help me look my best, Aqua Net is still available in drug stores.)
Many years ago, I found and read a book I loved,
In Hovering Flight, and wrote about it
here.
I never anticipated that Joyce Hinnefeld, that novel's author, would one day lead the writing program at Moravian College and create, as well, an extraordinary writers' conference that last year featured both Laurie Halse Anderson and Ursula Le Guin. I never imagined that I'd receive an email from the beloved teen author/Bethlehem Area Public Library Executive Director Josh Berk that contained both a question and a bridge.
But both things have happened, and this June I will have the great pleasure of spending time with Joyce as well as Josh, as I participate in the Moravian Writers' Conference as a keynoter and panelist and (to make it all even more glittering) in conversation with the very special guest A.S. King. (King, we're gonna have to take our glorious private conversation public. You ready?) There are so many opportunities for area writers during this three-day (June 5 through 7) event—so many terrific writers, teachers, publishers participating.
(Another special bonus: my friend Nic Esposito of The Head and The Hand Press will be participating in the publishing panel.)
I invite you to learn more about all the presenters and the line-up
here.
