So yesterday I traveled to Philly to give one of the least spectacular interviews EVER…shot myself in the foot within the first couple of minutes, and then just started praying for a quick end to the ordeal. Luckily, I have a good friend who lives in Philly and we met for dinner afterward (what can’t a cheeseburger and greasy fries cure?). Marie gave me this beautiful holiday gift, which she handmade (love my creative, low-consumption friends!): after painting an old Altoids tin gold, she inserted a brilliant quote and several small sheets of paper that prompt me to consider what I’ll release for the new year…
Can you read what it says? “When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be.” ~ Lao Tzu. I think maybe–for now–I need to let go of the idea of being a professor. Maybe I’ll go back into the academy someday, but I could use this time to figure out who else I might be: writer, intellectual, filmmaker…
On another note, I found this great review by Sanguinity early this morning (why do I wake at 5am?!?), which contrasts Wish with Walter Dean Myers’ novel, Riot. I’m urged to “write faster” so the sequel will be done sooner rather than later…I’ll try!
Oh, but I loved this. It’s well-written (I need not have worried about it being self-published) and utterly engrossing. The usual one-line summary is about a black girl in contemporary Brooklyn who tosses a penny into a fountain to wish for a different life, and gets transported to 1863 Brooklyn. The wish, it turns out, doesn’t happen until seventy pages in, and I did not mind one bit. Genna is lovely and awesome and there are so many perfect little moments where the Genna-ness of Genna shines through. I adore Elliott’s characterizations, most especially how much she can communicate in a single vignette. Some characters are on-page for only a page or two, but still I know (or can guess!) enough about them to make my heart squeeze tight.
Love the gift and you’re willingness to see something else for yourself.
We had a burning bowl ceremony where I used to worship. I think I need to revisit the ritual.
I love that review of Wish. I’m gearing up to start teaching it, and I think I’ll be working with Susan on some projects around the book. I’d love, of course, to be working with you, too! I’ll check in via email.
Happy New Year, Zetta! You’ve been a real light and inspiration to me this year!
Happy New Year to you, too, girlgriot! I saw Wish was on your 2010 Teacher’s To Do List, which is an honor considering all you’ve got planned for the new year…I *just* got my new Flip camera and would love to bring it along on school visits…do let me know how I can contribute to all you do for your students.
I am catching up with blogs at 5:30 and so felt kindred to your early morning post. What a lovely gift! And as you and I both know, the academy isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. You are finding your own path – and though it is not the easy choice, it is exciting, eh? Hope to see you at some point in this new year…
Exciting/terrifying–yes! here’s hoping NYU brings you over in October for the conference…or maybe I’ll land on your side of the pond first!