Memoirs and the Creative Life

It's strange but although I was fully planning on reading some fiction, these memoirs came on my radar... 

Suleika Jaouad's Between Two Kingdoms: A Memoir of a Life Interrupted was beautifully written without a trace of sentimentality, even though all her dreams of becoming a war correspondent were shattered upon the diagnosis of leukemia. She spent nearly four years in the hospital enduring chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant. While there, she began writing. I love that it began as a 100-day project upon a suggestion of a social worker and that it turned into a blog and a column for the New York Times. She is a gifted writer. I loved that she had a supportive family, a boyfriend who dropped everything to care for her, and friends all over the country. After she was "cured" she realized she didn't know how to live. This is when healing begins. She confronts her fears, goes on a 100-day journey, meeting people she'd corresponded with from her hospital bed. She finds herself. 

The Book of Alchemy is a collection of 100 personal essays and writing prompts from different creatives, each with an introduction from Suleika Jaouad. It is a book one can dive into over and over and perhaps some of the prompts will become your favorite exercises. 

There I Am: A Journey from Hopelessness to Healing by Ruthie Lindsey was so beautifully written. She drew me into her life, her family, and then into the harrowing pain that was her constant companion. How ironic that she was hit by an ambulance. And the surgery that saved her life also gave her a life of chronic pain. Modern medicine can be amazing but it does not address pain very well. How she crawled out of the pit of darkness by choosing to focus on little moments of beauty and joy was the road to her healing. I just loved how much support she had from her family. I recommend reading this if you suffer from any kind of pain and sorrow. You will be enveloped in Ruthie's compassion. 

Reading Just Making by Mitali Perkins was like having a delicious cup of tea with the author as she shares her journey as a children's writer, the questions she asks herself, the lessons she's learned, and encourages us all to keep making--bring truth, goodness, and beauty into a suffering world.

Joyride by Susan Orlean was the most disappointing of all the memoirs, even though she's a wonderful writer, is curious, and adventurous. Although I learned a lot about the magazine world and the stories she chased, it left me hollow. She writes that this memoir is about her stories, but I expected more of herself in it. The personal moments are extremely guarded. Why write a memoir then? Thanks to Netgalley for providing me a review copy. 

Journey of Shunya Means Zero

I just received my author copies of Shunya Means Zero, a book that's had a very long gestation...23 years!!! Sometimes, when you flip an idea on its head, it falls into place.

I've always been fascinated with numbers and patterns and so it was natural to write about the history of our numerical system. Magazine writing has trained me to have a tight focus so I decided to stick to the history of zero, which was invented in India, and followed it with an introduction to the history and culture of India using the tried and true method of counting. Zero violence. One Taj Mahal. Two Language Families. Etc.

 
I started submitting to publishers in 2003 and after about a dozen submissions over three years with only a few personal rejection letters encouraging me, I shelved it. I was busy writing other books and teaching. In 2017, I revisited Shunya (see Vijaya Bodach: Journey of Little Thief! Chota Chor! ) and flipped it--first the counting, then the history of zero and it was accepted right away by Reycraft. My editor, Sunita Apte, helped me make the text even tighter and I was so delighted that Nayantara Surendranath was again paired with me to do the illustrations. But it was a long wait...but God's timing is always perfect. And worth the wait. 

I wrote this for my children, but it is their children who will be the beneficiaries of this book. I was able to dedicate it to my grandbabies. Just five days after Dagny's baby boy was born, my editor sent me the final art (I'd seen some sketches before but seeing the art in full color took my breath away) and we went through another round of tweaking the text. I had the baby's initials for the dedication. Yay! I wrote to Max and Laura, asking whether they had decided on a name for their baby girl. I promised I'd keep it secret and only my editor would know, lol. But they hadn't decided. So I went with babyB. 

I got an email with the final proofs the day Max and Laura's sweet baby girl was born. We still didn't know the name until the evening, but once they decided, I shot back an email to my editor for the final dedication. Whew!!! 

More importantly, although I'm proud to be American, I have not forgotten my roots, the place that began shaping me into the person I am today. I have wanted so much to share it with my children, but by the time they were old enough that they'd remember a trip to India, my health was declining, and travelling was (still is) too hard on me. Max and I had the opportunity to go to Kolkata and work with the Sisters of Charity in 2020, but the lockdowns meant no travelers were being issued visas. It was a huge disappointment. I pray that we'll all be able to take a family trip to India with the children and grandchildren...but in the meantime, they'll have this book. It is so much more meaningful now than when I first penned it. I can't wait to share it with not just my grandbabies, but with school children everywhere. Here's Grandpa practicing for reading to the grandbabies :)     

Books about the Writing Life

At the beginning of this year, I discovered Philosophy of Writing by David Arndt. It's one of the best books I've ever read about WHY we write. The point of writing is to test and examine our thoughts, to clarify, deepen, and refine them. It leads to truth and wisdom. Arndt also has many practical tips at the end for good writing. I highly recommend it and thank Bloomsbury for an Open Access copy that you can also download: Philosophy of Writing: : David Arndt: Bloomsbury Academic - Bloomsbury  Doesn't that cover make you want to slip inside the book?

This first half of the year has been busy with babies and music and travelling, so I am relishing the quieter pace this summer to read and write. I feel like I am returning to myself. Spiritual Direction for Writers: Everyday Rituals for Your Writing Life by Charlotte Donlon came on my radar at just the perfect time. Although I rushed through it to write a review, I will be getting my own paper copy to mark up, to accompany me. Those who've not had spiritual direction might wonder what it is--it is to invite the Holy Spirit into a holy conversation, to affirm, to clarify, to raise questions, to listen. It is creating a sacred space for attentive presence. Although Donlon writes from the Christian perspective, writers of all faiths should be able to relate to her spiritual direction and apply it to their writing lives. I found it fascinating that when my writing isn't going well, I'm also struggling spiritually.

I loved the premise: that all of life is the writing life. Donlon organizes the material into four parts: Belong, Become, Behold, Bestow. And even before we begin, there is silence. Before silence, breath. Before breath, being! The blank page waiting to be filled. A sacred space full of possibility. Isn't that just beautiful? She writes gently and with great insight. Some examples: Begin where you are, begin with 15 minutes, begin with prayer. Belong to yourself, belong to your desires, belong to a poem. Become friends with time, become more at peace with uncertainty, become a writer who writes in the dark. Behold through contemplation, behold the ordinary, behold your own writing. Bestow through words and objects, bestow through story, bestow through intercessory prayer. And then to Begin Again. I loved the concept of how we return in cycles and spirals, how it reinforces connection to our own selves, others, God, and our creative efforts. This is a great gift for writers. Thanks to Netgalley for a review copy.

Spiritual Direction for Writers made me think of Henri Nouwen's Life of the Beloved, in which he explicates how much we are loved by God, and when we realize it, how our lives change. We recognize that we are Taken, Blessed, Broken, Given. So much of the writing life is about receiving and abundance of blessings and then transforming them--our experiences and insights--as gifts, for readers.

Writing with Power: Techniques for Mastering the Writing Process by Peter Elbow has to be one of the best books on the craft of writing. His chapters on Voice are some of the most insightful. Write with freedom. Revise later. Easier said than done for some of us who struggle with perfectionism and all its related fears. Spiritual direction helps to move from fear into freedom, as I begin to trust the creative process, in God even more.

I really enjoyed Sue Monk Kidd's Writing Creativity and Soul earlier this year. Part memoir, part writing advice, it reminded me so much of her older book--Firstlight--a compilation of her essays in Guidepost magazine, full of wisdom for the creative life. 

Best Birthday Ever!

A blessed and happy New Year! I have hardly the words to express my joy! We've had the most wonderful Christmas and Epiphany with the children, as we eagerly awaited the birth of our first grandchild, who arrived in the wee hours on the Feast of St. Raymond of Penafort, a day before my birthday.

During Advent, the word that came to me for the next year was Freedom. To be free from fear; to write, to sing, to paint freely. I want to be free to do the right thing, to be free from sin. On New Year's Day I played Jennifer Fulwiler's Saint Name Generator--guess who came up?!!! St. Joachim--the father of Mary, the grandfather of our Lord Jesus! And patron of fathers, grandfathers, and grandparents. How fitting as we begin this new chapter in our lives. 

Here are the young parents, waiting to meet their little one! We are so happy Dagny had a hard and fast labor; it brought back memories of my first labor and I'm so grateful that she was able to give birth without any complications (unlike mine). Deo gratias! And thanks to all our prayer warriors! I've had a lovely time reminiscing with Dagny (below, newborn Dagny). Like the Magi, I fall in Adoration and Thanksgiving to our Lord Jesus. 

What a privilege it is to see a new life enter this world, and especially to see my baby hold her baby. I will always be grateful for these moments of grace. What struck me again is how protective the hands of the father are, cradling the baby. I have always loved Michael's hands, and I know Dagny will always appreciate Ian's. God bless him and all the work of his hands. They're home now and enjoying getting to know their sweet little baby boy! As per the wise new mom and dad's request--no more baby pictures online. 

This little one is the best birthday gift. Dagny and I had planned on doing a session with Painting with a Twist for my birthday, but with baby's arrival, it was not to be. Saturday evening, I decided to go by myself. It reminded me very much of what Julia Cameron calls an artist date. I had such a good time and learned a lot too. I title this WONDER. The cute birthday card is from a dear friend.

On the Journey Home

Several years ago, when I wrote my Love Story, a commentator encouraged me to contact Marcus Grodi, host of the Journey Home Program. It is one of my favorite shows on EWTN and my husband and I watched it every Monday night for many years. So I contacted them (a year later) and I received instructions for writing my testimony for the newsletter, which I subscribed to. I began, only for it to fall off the radar, with the publication of BOUND. So imagine my surprise and delight to be invited to be on the show! I said yes!

 

Much has changed. I didn't realize Marcus retired; his son, JonMarc, now hosts the show. I hadn't watched any for a couple of years because my barbershop practice is on Monday nights, the same night that the show airs. They are archived on their website, so I was able to catch up on a few conversion stories--so very inspiring. 

As I prepared for giving my own testimony, I was first concerned with looking and sounding good, as good as I write, but by the grace of God I realized the focus was all wrong. This is HIS story, what He is doing in my life. So Monday night, after a sumptuous Greek dinner, I tuned in to my barbershop rehearsal. I learned the next morning that Rakhi was running lines for her musical :)

I brought books from my Catholic writing group as gifts to the wonderful staff--Matt Swaim, who contacted me (he's been reading this blog for a while); Rakhi McCormick, communications coordinator; Bill, studio manager (who really needs to share his conversion story more widely); and Alyssa, makeup artist. Don't we clean up nicely? Another convert, Chris Kellam, also flew in for taping so we all had wonderful conversations during the time we had together. I discovered that speaking on air is so very different than writing because it's extemporaneous. I had to back-track; I cried; I wondered whether something I said might hurt another. But I received insights too, that I am still processing. I'll be sure to post a link when my episode is live. Below, Bill and Rakhi and Matt making sure all the technology is working properly. Being in the studio made me want to make an audio recording of BOUND.

I don't travel much because of my poor head, but I was able to manage pain well. Everything went smoothly, even coming home. I kept noticing that the departure time kept getting delayed and delayed and once I realized I wouldn't make my connecting flight to Charleston, I asked to be re-routed. I did not want to spend the night in Philadelphia. I ended up in DC for a couple of hours and learned that Max was at a rooftop party to celebrate the anniversary of Apollo 11. Oh, how I would've loved to join in the fun--knowing Max, it would've been a blast. See: The Butterworths Man #2 - by Bart - Kill All Foodies. For all I know, he might have had a hand in my interview at Journey Home, by his encouragement to write for The Lamp. I'm highly motivated to write a full-length spiritual memoir because there are so many riches to share. Deo gratias! 

Thanks be to God I arrived home Tue night in time to make my Wed appts. The first thing we did after work was to go to the beach--it was windy and I got smacked down by the waves but so happy to be home with Michael again. I'm encouraging him to write his testimony too. His story. All history is HIS story!!!

On Pursuing a Trade, Localism and Retirement

So, I'm back on Facebook. I started during Lent, while everyone else was taking a break from social media :) Three big reasons: the SCBWI message board has not been restored (I don't know if they'll ever will), our barbershop practices are recorded and we can return to our private FB page to review specific elements like interpretation, choreography, etc., and publishers expect you to be active on social media.  

One benefit has been reconnecting with family and friends far away, but the best part has been discovering things in my own community. I was feeling sad about not having my flag up for Fourth of July--I couldn't reach the bracket with all the cucumbers growing on our porch (and Michael was out of town)--but this nice young man, Derek Schultz, owner of Schultz Construction, offered to hang up the American flag for anyone who needed help on the private community page. I called and he came over and did me a huge favor by moving the bracket where I could reach it. It was great getting to know him--he's been in the roofing business since his teens working with his father, and now has his own company. It's so refreshing to meet young people who love their country, their family, and their work. I gave him some cucumbers; it reminded me of the old ways, where people exchanged goods and services. This reminded me how wonderful it can be for people to pursue a trade. 

Emma Slaven, a reporter for Daniel Island News, asked people about early retirement. I replied tongue-in-cheek to her query with: stay-at-home moms never retire. And was delighted to have a chance to answer her thoughtful questions. So fun to be featured in the local newspaper: Why more people are retiring early, and loving it | The Daniel Island News. 

I actually think that retirement is a strange notion; the happiest people I know are engaged in meaningful work, whether or not they are paid for it. Mothering and homemaking the most satisfying of all the work I've done, yet we never hear about it on "Career Day" in schools. I wish the focus would be on vocation instead. I really enjoyed this essay: Reflecting on C.S. Lewis’s Letter to a Housewife. 

All this brought back wonderful memories from last December, when we went to Liturgy of the Land Conference. We met many young families who left the corporate workforce to have a more family-centered economy, whether it's dairy farming, beekeeping, blacksmithing. There is no expectation of retiring because the work never ends, but in many cases, some of the grown children take over the farm or business, or pursue a different line of work more suited to their interests. Durable Trades by Rory Groves is a great resource for teenagers and it really makes one appreciate our society at the local level. There's a Catholic school in Steubenville that focuses on trade: College of St. Joseph the Worker 

I never shared my conference notes because we were busy with wedding preparations and family in town, but much of what I learned can be found in these books. Liturgy of the Land by Jason Craig and Tommy Van Horn has given us much food for thought about the why and how of the Catholic homestead. The Independent Farmstead by Shawn and Beth Dougherty relates how they were able to develop a farm that's self-sustaining. Even as suburban gardeners, we are able to incorporate some of the principles of these books into our lives. And I continue to have dreams about Bodach Books and Brews.