What I’m writing…
Oh, dear ones, this writing business is scary. It’s like taking a leap of faith every day. A blank page, an idea, words, my imagination. That’s what I have every day, hoping they come together to make a story. And not just a story, but a story people will want to read. I remember when I was writing my novel The Knitting Circle.
I was in one of the saddest times of my life. My five year old daughter Grace had died suddenly of a virulent form of strep and I was grieving and at sea. My two lifelong sources of comfort—reading and writing—were lost. I didn’t have the concentration to read or the imagination to tell a story.
Then I learned to knit, and slowly I knit my way back.
One day, I was knitting and thought how wonderful it would be if the whole world knew how to knit. People would feel peaceful, calm, and we would have mittens and scarves and hats galore. Then I had this thought: I couldn’t teach the world to knit, but I could write about a world in which knitting saved people. And thus, The Knitting Circle was born.
As I wrote The Knitting Circle, I decided to let my imagination run wild. That resulted in a 700+ page manuscript! (In revision, I deleted almost half of that) I’m about 60 pages from finishing a full draft of a new novel. My imagination is once again running wild. My fear and excitement are at a very high pitch. And this, dear ones, is what it is like being a writer.
What I’m Knitting…
As you may remember, I’ve been running around like mad this summer. When I alit briefly, I decided to finish my Purl Soho Soft Stripes Wrap…and couldn’t find the rest of the yarn! It is somewhere amid the chaos, but until I find it I am working on my MDK Shakerag Tee.
What I’m Thinking…
Yesterday I did a wonderful event for The Stolen Child in Bryant Park at 12:30. Due to a threat of rain, we sat under enormous yellow and white striped umbrellas.
Behind me was the grand New York Public Library. Periodically, sirens screamed past. Horns beeped. People ate their lunches, families snapped photos, the rain stayed away. Have I mentioned lately how much I love NYC? Click the below and watch!
(Side note: They actually teach knitting for free in Bryant Park on Wednesday afternoons from 1:30-3:30 in the summer! Yarn and needles provided! See? Even another reason to love NYC!)
The day I moved here, to a tiny studio apartment on Sullivan Street in Greenwich Village, in 1982, I felt like every cell in my body settled into place. And that feeling has never gone away, even though I left for many years (though for most of that time I did keep an apartment here). Now that I’m back mostly full time with my wonderful husband (and both my kids near), I’m reveling in all the city has to offer. Even the sirens and horns!
Here’s a peek at our 411 square foot love nest. It used to look like a Marriott hotel room, but now it looks like us. Most of the art work is from our travels in Cuba, Mexico, Guatemala and beyond.
And also…
I still have lots of events for The Stolen Child coming up! If you are anywhere near Watch Hill, RI on August 5, please join me and Deborah Goodrich Royce at the gorgeous Ocean House at 5:00. Tickets required.
I’ll also be at the Block Island library on August 6 at 6:00 and at Left Bank Books in Belfast, Maine on August 8 at 6:30. I’d love to see you!
As always, thanks for reading. Until we meet here again in a couple weeks, let your imagination run wild!
Love your comfy sweater and cozy apartment ❤️
Thank you for sharing photos of your home. I love seeing other people’s houses. Love seeing their photos & artwork, love seeing what books they have. Love seeing what fun and interesting things are in their homes.💜