Look At Me, I'm Blogging
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Well, well, well...will wonders never cease? This is day one of my resolution to actually leave behind my cool, private, shadowy office and walk--finally--into the bright, modern, pixilated world. In other words, I'm blogging. It's actually hard to believe. At the moment, I'm sitting in my office, staring out at the palm trees and blue sky, tapping on this keyboard and wondering if these words will actually go somewhere. I'm assured that it will be a simple matter of point and click to share what I've written, but I still can't quite believe. Still, I'm trudging onward. Believing.
That's what we writers do, after all; we believe. It's probably our best trait. Long before you ever read what we've written, we begin with the tiniest kernel of an idea. That idea is held onto tightly, stroked and fed and watered. When we look closely at it, we see not the tiny, unformed thing in our palm, but rather the big, sprawling, glittering story that it can become. Then, day after day, week after week, month after month, we plod in the direction of that dream. For me, the only thing that sustains me is often the belief that I can actually create what I've imagined.
With this blog, I guess I need to believe that you are out there, interested in what I have to say beyond the words I've written on the pages. It's funny; years ago, I would have said that I was too shy to attempt this sort of thing, but lately I'm a little more willing to speak out. Maybe it has to do with getting older and caring just a little less about embarrassing myself.
So much in my life has changed in the last few years; I guess it's inevitable that I would change, too. My son has graduated from high school and gone on to college in another state. Where I used to worry terribly about him going away, I now worry just as much about him coming home. :) The minute he walks back into the house, everything is loud and boisterous again--more so than I remembered. I can never find the remote control and every light in the house is on and there's food in places that defy the imagination. And I love it. Every crazy, upside-down, infuriating, terrifying, laugh-out-loud moment. I feel as if I'm on vacation when he's home now, just having fun, hearing about his life so far away.
When he leaves, life settles quickly back into its steady routine. The house is always clean, the fridge is stocked, the bleating ringtone of his cellphone/text messaging disappears. And I can write again in peace. Perhaps because of that, writing has become really enjoyable again. I'm no longer trying to find time to do what I love; I have plenty of hours to sit with my pad of paper and my favorite pen and create my stories.
And, of course, I can do the other things I love: Reading, going to the movies, running, swimming, paddleboarding, skiing, etc. What about you? I'd love to hear how you all handle the sudden changes in life that come with motherhood--whether it's a new baby, an empty nest, an adult child's unexpected return...
Let me know. Let us all know. I'd love for this blog to become a place where women could gather and talk about all sorts of things. I've come to believe that in so many ways we're all alike, that we're all living a variation of the same life. That's really what my new novel, FIREFLY LANE is all about. Girlfriends who are always there for each other, through the years, no matter what. But we'll talk about that later. For now, I'd love to hear what you want to talk about.
Aloha,
Kristin
That's what we writers do, after all; we believe. It's probably our best trait. Long before you ever read what we've written, we begin with the tiniest kernel of an idea. That idea is held onto tightly, stroked and fed and watered. When we look closely at it, we see not the tiny, unformed thing in our palm, but rather the big, sprawling, glittering story that it can become. Then, day after day, week after week, month after month, we plod in the direction of that dream. For me, the only thing that sustains me is often the belief that I can actually create what I've imagined.
With this blog, I guess I need to believe that you are out there, interested in what I have to say beyond the words I've written on the pages. It's funny; years ago, I would have said that I was too shy to attempt this sort of thing, but lately I'm a little more willing to speak out. Maybe it has to do with getting older and caring just a little less about embarrassing myself.
So much in my life has changed in the last few years; I guess it's inevitable that I would change, too. My son has graduated from high school and gone on to college in another state. Where I used to worry terribly about him going away, I now worry just as much about him coming home. :) The minute he walks back into the house, everything is loud and boisterous again--more so than I remembered. I can never find the remote control and every light in the house is on and there's food in places that defy the imagination. And I love it. Every crazy, upside-down, infuriating, terrifying, laugh-out-loud moment. I feel as if I'm on vacation when he's home now, just having fun, hearing about his life so far away.
When he leaves, life settles quickly back into its steady routine. The house is always clean, the fridge is stocked, the bleating ringtone of his cellphone/text messaging disappears. And I can write again in peace. Perhaps because of that, writing has become really enjoyable again. I'm no longer trying to find time to do what I love; I have plenty of hours to sit with my pad of paper and my favorite pen and create my stories.
And, of course, I can do the other things I love: Reading, going to the movies, running, swimming, paddleboarding, skiing, etc. What about you? I'd love to hear how you all handle the sudden changes in life that come with motherhood--whether it's a new baby, an empty nest, an adult child's unexpected return...
Let me know. Let us all know. I'd love for this blog to become a place where women could gather and talk about all sorts of things. I've come to believe that in so many ways we're all alike, that we're all living a variation of the same life. That's really what my new novel, FIREFLY LANE is all about. Girlfriends who are always there for each other, through the years, no matter what. But we'll talk about that later. For now, I'd love to hear what you want to talk about.
Aloha,
Kristin
19 Comments:
Woot! I get to be first!
Love the new look, Kristin, and congrats on your bravery in blogging. I'm horrible at it so I admire people who do it coherently (and consistently, lol).
I read an advance copy of Firefly Lane and raved about it to my readers' group. I, too, was a 14-year-old in 1974 and the music and clothes and references put me right back there (minus the angst and zits). Thank you for a couple of days of riveting reading :)
Shelley from CA
http://www.shelleyadina.com
Hi Kristin,
I have never blogged either! I love your picture of you on your website you look beautiful...Is your new book out now? I need a new book. Talk to you soon. Love Monica
Kristin,
Gorgeous site! I'm counting the seconds until February 5th, after which I'll be happily unavailable while reading Firefly Lane. Can't wait!
Cheers and aloha,
Katherine Stone
Kristin, your new web site is absolutely lovely. I especially enjoyed all the photos (although, as I remember, there's a great one of you and me that you didn't post, and what the heck is up with that?!!!). I especially enjoyed the photos of your family.
As you know, I happen to be one of the few people on Planet Earth who has already read FIREFLY LANE, and I'm here to testify that your readers are in for what may be the most deeply emotional book you've written. Don't we all love female friendship stories, and no one writes a better one. Congratulations, Kristin, on your gorgeous web site, but most of all, on FIREFLY LANE!
Hug, SEP
Hi Kristin. Wow, I can't imagine having my kids grown and out of the house. Right now I'm so busy with carpooling them around, taking them to school and playdates and sports practices that the thought of a quiet house seems like a dream. :) But I know that years from now when they are gone, I'll probably miss all the chaos. I don't have much spare time now, but on a rare free night my husband and love to go to the movies. And btw I really like your new website and can't wait for your new book to come out.
Aloha Kristin,
What a wonderful new look for your website! Thanks for including my photos, too. The shots bring back great memories of fun times while we "working" writers are networking at the annual RWA Conference.
I can't wait for Firefly Lane to hit the bookstores. It's a fabulous story and I'm happy to say I've already read it twice.
Here's to you. Hopefully you'll blog more than I do.
Best wishes from your friends on Kauai,
Jill Marie Landis and Steve
Wow..what a beautiful author! I can't believe I know a blogger (that sounds slightly weird...) I'm proud of you for taking the plunge and know you'll do great. Love you- your bro
Hey everyone---
Thanks so much for taking the bait! This blogging thing is so totally strange, but hearing back from you all really made my day. To Shelley--thanks so much for reading an early copy of Firefly Lane and recommending it. Did you grow up in the Pacific Northwest or someplace else? If it wasn't here, were your experiences similar to those in the book? And btw (like that internet lingo I'm learning to use?), I checked out your website and can't wait to read your new book. It looks awesome.
And to my girlfriends who joined in, you are goddesses, all. I knew that, of course. I've known it for a long time...ever since I first asked Teresa Medeiros for an autograph back when we both practically children...and from the first time Christina Dodd and I laughed at the same joke...and EVERYONE idolizes SEP, so I'm just another one of the crowd on that one. Sincerely, gals, thanks for weighing in. I know you all thought I wasn't listening when you said I needed a website...
And last, but far from least, thanks little bro. It really means a lot that you took the time to say hey. Check out your photo in the gallery...
Now I'm going to go watch the episode of Project Runway that I recorded from last night. I'm sure it will only prove once again that i know nothing about fashion.
aloha!
To Jill Landis--are you going to stick with the "working" bit? I mean, I will totally back you up on that...after all, I wasn't the one who started to hula when no one was watching...
Thanks for checking in. As soon as you get your website up and running,I'll do the same. Until then, keep my chair in the tikiport warm. I'll be there in no time. :)
And Katherine Stone, good to hear from you! My vulcan mind meld friend. How's the new site going? Writersarereaders.com. People are loving it.
Kristin,
I'm in love with your new website design and, after perusing your playlist, have ABBA flitting through my head (even tho I was a mere babe in the 70s *grin*).
I'm looking forward to February 5th and the resease of Firefly Lane. And to more of your plunge into the blogsphere.
I can't wait for the new book. It may be have Susan Elizabeth Phillips who was bragging, er, recommending the book months ago. I already have a reminder in my date book to run out and buy it.
It was great meeting you at RWA last summer. It was truly one of my highlights of the trip.
Thanks for your time,
april
Believe me when I say that I have read MYBE four books in my whole adult life! A friend gave me Mystic Lake recently, I guess that's what prompted me to read it, but I could not put it down! I enjoyed it more that I would have ever imagined! I then bouth Magic Hour and it was the same thing! I went to the bookstore and ordered two more of your books, and I just not won a bid on ebay for 11 more of your books! I think I'm definately obsessed! Thank you for writing such enjoyable reads! Keep it up! (Oh and yes, this is the first visit to your website - love it! and my first time ever posting a comment on blog too!) You're wonderful!
Kristin:Wow-I cannot believe I am actually writing to you-I love all of your books and I cannot wait until Feb 5th. I am so looking forward to reading the new book!! I too am a empty nester so I appreciate your feelings of riotiousness (my daughter left to go back to school an hour ago) and the quiet when she leaves. Please do not stop writing-ever!!
Jean and April and "anonymous"--
Thanks for stopping by, ladies. I so enjoyed meeting you, April, and I appreciate your continued support. :) If you all have any questions you'd like to ask, please feel. I can absolutely tailor the blog to answer your questions. Support from readers like you really make all the difference to a writer, so thanks again. And hey, how did you find the blog so fast? I just have to know...
I thought I'd respond to the question. I found the blog through Naomi. I'll ask her how she found it so quickly. I know we both check out the site often - especially when we know there's a new book coming up.
In answer to your question, Kristin, I was born and raised on Vancouver Island :) So yep, I'm an islander and a webfoot.
Shelley
http://www.shelleyadina.com
Wow! What a great writer you are. I get a real sense of the sincere woman you are, and so down to earth.
I love the new website and your blogs...The only thing I wish is that I could erase my memory so that I could re-read all your books for the first time. Since I can't do that I will count the days, hours and minutes until I can read 'Firefly Lane'. Thanks for providing me with novels that take me away from the stress of the day!
Sarah
Got to say I am VERY impressed! You dove straight in to the deep end of the pool and I give you a TEN!!! Awesome website, Beautiful picture, BEST author in the world you are. Love your friend, Mary
I'm very excited to see you're keeping a blog now. I've been looking forward to Firefly Lane since I put down Magic Hour. I grew up in Vancouver, Washington, so your books always feel like a nice slice of home.
Thanks for doing what you do!
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