It’s been pretty quiet around here lately. Following Sea is bobbing out on the surf, and I’ve been busy watching it.
I’ve been invited to and have arranged a few readings – including a National Poetry Month event at Forth Cafe in Winnipeg on the last day of this month, with a bunch of other fabulous poets (see the poster) – and have had some nice things said about the book.
But all-in-all, I find it kind-of an odd place to be: this post-publication period.
There’s a bit of let-down, a bit of postpartum blues, at least for me (and I’m not being obtuse here, as a person who experiences depression).
I sort-of spin my thumbs, wondering what I can do, how I can encourage people to read my little darling, love her, make her their friend.
But, you know, there’s nothing much a writer can do. She has to make it on her own, find her own place in the world. (Yes, my books are most definitely female).
And, meanwhile, we write. Right?
Or think about writing.
Or type up the written words in my notebook.
Or dream about driving vehicles without being able to see (our Subaru backwards on Ontario’s Highway 400 and, last night, blindly flying a plane, although that experience was less stressful and more exciting).
Or garden (perhaps it was post-book blues that inspired me to start my now-enormous tomato seedlings in late February?)
And, I get ready to go on the road, to share the book up north in The Pas and back home in Ontario, at readings in Orillia and Toronto (and I’m open for more, in case you have a venue in mind: please get in touch!) I’ll send exact dates and locations when we get closer.
Like I said: quiet(ish).
An in-between time. But then, spring is, isn’t it?
It’s sunny, but cold. The birds are back but laying low.
So, I garden, wait, dream, write, and remember, once again, that a finished book in the world is not the path but the outward sign of the path.
Like a plant is the expression of its roots.
Hi Lauren, your book is on its way through the mail to me now. I look forward to diving in and to helping promote through my social media channels.
Thanks, Cheryl! I really appreciate that! Hope you enjoy it 🙂
Hi Lauren, your book is making its way through the mail to me now. I look forward to diving in next week and helping to promote it through my social media channels. ~Cheryl
Just finished Following Sea. Once started, I did not want to put it down, but, alas, I needed to, but picked it up the next day.
Reading how you wrote about my ancestors was beautiful. When you called my grandfather “Black Jack”, probably because he abandoned my mom, at two and a half, her brother, Herman, a six months, Mary, Lonnie and the oldest, Olive under ten. Would love to visit with you over a drink so we could share. Will not happen, I know. Keep writing cuz because you are so good at what you do. Love you!!
Marlene
Thank you, Marlene! That is so nice to hear. Am hoping I’ll one day get to St. Catharines! While doing my research, I felt so tender towards your grandmother, Grace. (And Uncle Clive told me about the ‘Black Jack’ nickname (which, of course, might have been of his own making 🙂 …)
Hi Lauren, I recently finished Following Sea and was blown away. I didn’t know a book of poetry could be so novelistic. I was not only swept up by the beauty of the poetry and fascinated by the structure (which one day I would love to talk about in person. . .), but the story really held me from beginning to end. A splendid book I am thrilled to own. I will be pouring (poring?) over it for years to come.
Enjoy your readings. Your audiences surely will.
And hi Mohamad!
All best,
Nancy H.
Aw, thanks, Nancy 🙂 It’s really nice to hear this.
Thank you for this post Lauren. I hope you’re feeling better now. It barely gets quiet around here. The experimental weapons keep me company. Sometimes I have to make quiet to do the work. I was able to do some work on the essay that I started with your class WTW.
Mohamad
Thanks, Mohamed. I guess it’s all relative, huh? Glad you can find some quiet in the midst of chaos and that you’re getting some work done on your essay. I look forward to reading it – as do many others, I’m sure!