The Days of Awe
Every year, at my brother’s request, I repost this essay. Please give it a few minutes of thought. And then say “I love you” to someone who needs to hear it.
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Coping.
There are a lot of variations on “those who do not study the past are doomed to repeat it.” My response has always been, “Those of us who do study the past are doomed, too. We just feel worse about it.” We are living in a country that past presidents warned against. We have institutionalized … Read more…
Not on my watch.
If you’ve read more than one of my books, you probably won’t be surprised by my politics. If you follow me on Facebook, you certainly know where I stand in great and vivid detail. Ordinarily I confine this blog to book-related posts. Today, I can’t remain silent. When I was writing A Thread of Grace, … Read more…
Some wonderful books available now
My review of Charles Frazier’s superb new novel Varina was published yesterday by the Washington Post. And it has been my pleasure to read and blurb three other novels so far this year. Madeline Miller’s Circe is a reimagining of the story of Odysseus, told by the minor goddess Circe, who loves him in her … Read more…
For Sale: One Manuscript
“Publishing a book is one accomplishment you get to celebrate over and over.” That’s what my friend Karen’s mom used to say. You finish the first complete draft. YAY! You finish editing it. You sent it to your agent. YAY! The agent likes it but suggests changes. You finish editing it. YAY! The agent sends … Read more…
Advice for a novice writer
From the morning email: “Hi Mary! I’m Teri I’m from California. I’m your biggest fan. I’m a novice writer. What is the most important advice you can give to someone who is beginning to write a novel? And why? I hope you are having a great day. Thank you very much!” Study grammar. Look up … Read more…
Starting another novel
Unremembered Lives is about ready for my agents to send out to publishers. Usually I have a little break between novels, but this time I started the next one almost immediately. It’s a story I’ve thought about telling since before I started writing The Sparrow back in 1992. Now’s the time to tell it. This … Read more…
Every year at this time…
My brother has asked me to repost this blog every year. Jeanne’s grandbaby Brinn is now in kindergarden and has a beautiful little brother. Days of Awe September 26, 2012 According to Jewish tradition, the ten days starting with Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Years) and ending with Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement) are commonly … Read more…
DOC and EPITAPH optioned
Last summer, I signed an option with PalmStar Productions for a screen adaptation of Doc and Epitaph. So much time had gone by with no news, I was starting to wonder if they’d dropped the project, but yesterday an announcement appeared in a number of outlets, so I am free to talk about it now. … Read more…
When characters surprise me
Unremembered Lives is about 4/5ths complete now, and the characters have officially taken over. That’s a good thing. This has happened to me before, and I’ve heard other writers remark on how startling it can be. [Spoiler Alert!] When I was writing The Sparrow, I knew that the priest was going to stay true to … Read more…