Since 2am I’ve been in pain; it never fails–the semester ends, and my immune system just lets go…all the health issues it kept at bay come crashing down, reminding me that self-care is important. The miracle, however, is that as soon as I started my workshop at Brooklyn College this evening, the pain disappeared…I completely forgot about it until I sat down on the train to come home, and then the pain returned. Not as bad as before, though–and I got some cake on my way home, so that’s my reward for enduring such discomfort all day. I sold all 15 copies of Wish and one copy of Bird, plus a book of plays; it’s such an honor to know people *want* to read my work! I don’t think I’m very good at talking about my books, but I run off at the mouth when I talk about my “process.” Someone asked me about visualizing characters, and I went off on this long tangent about the book club I started with the girls in my building. I’m *so* deeply indebted to the open-minded, generous educators who have given me access to their classrooms. This was my second presentation at Brooklyn College, and once again I felt very welcome and the class was full of engaged, lively student teachers who gave me great feedback on my writing workshop. When I finally do try it out on teens, it’ll be much stronger thanks to their suggestions. Their professor, Jessica Siegel, gave them the option of preparing a lesson based on Wish or on Lynn Nottage’s play, Ruined. I’d love to know how educators would use Wish in the classroom! I prepared a study guide, but still don’t know how young readers are reacting to the book. Teachers love it, but maybe teens will be turned off; I just finished The Door of No Return and was seriously disappointed. But maybe it really appeals to teens who have different expectations. I’ll write a formal review later. For now, I need to unwind. Tomorrow morning I do a presentation on Bird at the Bedford branch of the BPL. And we got some more good news about Bird–it’s the winner (tied with another title) of the Paterson Prize for Books for Young People (from The Poetry Center at Passaic County Community College) in the Grades 4 to 6 category. The list isn’t online yet, but should be up in a week or two. Now–time for cake!
Yes, yes, yes!
Do we need to talk about this cake thing?
I know…once I get through this week, I’ll have to make a serious effort to get some food in the house; when the fridge is bare, no fruit, no bread–nothing!–then I turn to sweets as a substitute for real food. Will try to wean myself over the next few weeks…promise!
All imma say is me and headaches were really good friends until the first time I did Weight Watchers and cut all the sugary foods. WOW! I felt so much better.
Take care!!!!
I hear you, Edi…there are SO many reasons for me to get off the sugar train…
Kudos on your latest award, Zetta! I’m sorry to hear that you’re not feeling well, but I can fully understand why speaking to a room full of engaged and enthusiastic readers would make you feel better (along with cake).
Thanks, Claudia!
[...] another frequent visitor, has been getting a lot of favorable attention lately for her books, Bird, and the newest release, A Wish After Midnight. Rich Watson is selling posters from his comic, City [...]