Its a major bucket list goal to take a writing class with you. I am so happy that you and Michael found each other. I’ve been a fan of his forever. Along with cooking and writing knowledge I can now thank him for my discovering you.
Spent a lovely weekend w my bestie from 7th grade latin class. Can’t agree w you more how very important these lifelong connections are to your psyche.
How do you get ANY work done, what with the knitting, mentoring, traveling not to mention winning at cribbage every night??
Oh No! Did you get your knitting back from Baltimore?
I’m currently searching the nooks and crannies of our house trying to find the socks that I stashed away when we went on our summer get-away. The good news is I know it's in the house. The question is where?
This makes me feel so much better--I've been looking for a precious knitting project that I bought at Loop London. It's been three months. I'm starting to despair. Though it's not like I don't have plenty of others to keep me busy.
I didn't have my glasses on and I read baffles as 'baffies' - the Scottish word for slippers. Hope you've got those on as well, as you collect lint in your mind dryer! Also, next time you come to Scotland you should really try Inver, if you haven't already. It's wonderful, especially the homemade salty butter 🧈https://inverrestaurant.co.uk (by the way this is a link lol)
Ann, I'm sorry you felt that my comments were hurtful. Not everything we write is good. I know you are a wonderful writer as I said I enjoyed your earlier works and got many of them to read and savor. I thought the beginning of the book would take me somewhere where I could jump in and stay connected. I could not. I don't think it's your best work but I think your next book will be. And it's because as writers, we change, our perceptions change, our language changes and never remains the same. Literary criticism is hard to take; I know as I've had to endure it. But sometimes it puts seeds of thought in us that will catapult into allowing something so creative to come forth. Please accept my apologies. I didn't mean to cause such grief; I only meant to get your attention that someone could not get into your book and continue with reading it. The gotcha moment that a book should have at the beginning wasn't there for me.
Dear Ann: I fell in love with your earlier novels about cooking, growing up and knitting. I picked up a copy of Stolen Child, and, I hesitate to say, that after chugging through the first few pages, I returned it to the library. As a reader, I was stunned that the beginning of that book is so convoluted in words without any connection to anything that would entice a reader to continue. I say it as a professor who taught writing on the college level and as an editor. It's terrible and I only hope that you will do much better with this new book that you're writing. Let your heart shine and let go of what others tell you that they want to read. Be yourself like you were in your older works and it will be a success.
Dear Joan, I typically do not respond to notes such as yours, but I feel compelled to this time because of how insulting this is. Readers like or dislike books for many reasons. But to imply that I wrote a novel based on what others told me and that “my heart doesn’t shine,” is both insulting and erroneous. I have no idea what offended you so deeply in the first few pages, but this novel has deep rooted themes of loss and grief that are expressed in honorable, thoughtful ways. Since you didn’t take the time to read the book, you can’t know that. Thankfully, the response has been wonderful from readers who actually did read it as well as critically, including a starred Kirkus review. I am glad you were never my teacher or editor—which doesn’t give you license to be hurtful—because of how judgmental you appear to be. With all due respect, you would do me a favor to unsubscribe (if you’re a subscriber) or to not read my newsletter, which I write as a small way to put kindness, friendship, and comfort into the world. Just as I do with my novels.
I am SHOCKED that someone would write to you like this! It’s one thing to leave a bad amazon review (not what I would do but okay fine) but to directly write to you in this way? BADLY DONE. I for one LOVE your substack—it is warm and wonderful and I have shared it with friends because it makes me feel good. Buh-bye Joan.
Your response presumes this book was not a success. But, in fact, it was! Earning starred reviews from major reviewers, earning over 4 stars from thousands of readers on GoodReads, and appearing on bookstores’ best of lists. So while the first couple of pages may not have been your cup of tea, please do not post misinformation by stating: “Be yourself like you were in your older works and it will be a success.” You write in response to Ann that “literary criticism is hard to take.” Alas, Joan, what you wrote was not literary criticism. Literary criticism does not chastise with phrases like “It is terrible” and “I hope you do much better.” Literary criticism often starts in a place of love and respect and any challenges with the work are filtered through that love. What you wrote was arrogant, patronizing and condescending. And mean. Nothing to do with literary criticism. Why am I spending time responding to you? Because I guess I am just tired of all the unkindness in the world. As a teacher of writing, of course you know the connotations of the word “terrible.” And you know the connotations of the words “kind” and “gracious.” You could have stopped after telling her that you are a fan of her works. That would have been kind, gracious, and uplifting in a time when kindness is in short supply.
Oof! Sorry, Ann,that you were the recipient of such a mean-spirited message, clumsily disguised as a critique. Block her (can you do that on Substack?) and move on.
Hi Anne, just a quick note to let you know I just picked up your book and found the first few pages so lovely and strange and really a masterclass in opening a novel (no spoilers, but the way you tell us where we are in time is wonderfully foreboding and subtle). The characters were immediate and vivid and as a former hobby painter the delight in color felt particularly joyous. I have a hard rule around making assumptions about strangers online, so I’m keeping my thoughts to myself, but I’m sorry you wound up on the wrong end of such condescending small mindedness.
Its a major bucket list goal to take a writing class with you. I am so happy that you and Michael found each other. I’ve been a fan of his forever. Along with cooking and writing knowledge I can now thank him for my discovering you.
I will tell him, Cheryl! And I hope to see you in a class sometime.
Another delightful life tour with you.
Spent a lovely weekend w my bestie from 7th grade latin class. Can’t agree w you more how very important these lifelong connections are to your psyche.
How do you get ANY work done, what with the knitting, mentoring, traveling not to mention winning at cribbage every night??
Oh No! Did you get your knitting back from Baltimore?
I’m currently searching the nooks and crannies of our house trying to find the socks that I stashed away when we went on our summer get-away. The good news is I know it's in the house. The question is where?
I misplace so many projects! But somehow they always show eventually.
My friend sent it back to me pronto, bless her.
This makes me feel so much better--I've been looking for a precious knitting project that I bought at Loop London. It's been three months. I'm starting to despair. Though it's not like I don't have plenty of others to keep me busy.
Love your dryer lint analogy.
The blanket is beautiful. And how lucky you are to have great friends.
I didn't have my glasses on and I read baffles as 'baffies' - the Scottish word for slippers. Hope you've got those on as well, as you collect lint in your mind dryer! Also, next time you come to Scotland you should really try Inver, if you haven't already. It's wonderful, especially the homemade salty butter 🧈https://inverrestaurant.co.uk (by the way this is a link lol)
A link! I clicked it and it took me to Inver! Now I have to figure out when to eat—and stay—there. Looks fabulous.
As I read your post, I was thinking how wonderful it would be to hear you speak or attend a workshop. Any plans to come to Chicago? Fingers crossed!
I wish! Maybe on the next book tour…
Ann, I'm sorry you felt that my comments were hurtful. Not everything we write is good. I know you are a wonderful writer as I said I enjoyed your earlier works and got many of them to read and savor. I thought the beginning of the book would take me somewhere where I could jump in and stay connected. I could not. I don't think it's your best work but I think your next book will be. And it's because as writers, we change, our perceptions change, our language changes and never remains the same. Literary criticism is hard to take; I know as I've had to endure it. But sometimes it puts seeds of thought in us that will catapult into allowing something so creative to come forth. Please accept my apologies. I didn't mean to cause such grief; I only meant to get your attention that someone could not get into your book and continue with reading it. The gotcha moment that a book should have at the beginning wasn't there for me.
Dear Ann: I fell in love with your earlier novels about cooking, growing up and knitting. I picked up a copy of Stolen Child, and, I hesitate to say, that after chugging through the first few pages, I returned it to the library. As a reader, I was stunned that the beginning of that book is so convoluted in words without any connection to anything that would entice a reader to continue. I say it as a professor who taught writing on the college level and as an editor. It's terrible and I only hope that you will do much better with this new book that you're writing. Let your heart shine and let go of what others tell you that they want to read. Be yourself like you were in your older works and it will be a success.
Dear Joan, I typically do not respond to notes such as yours, but I feel compelled to this time because of how insulting this is. Readers like or dislike books for many reasons. But to imply that I wrote a novel based on what others told me and that “my heart doesn’t shine,” is both insulting and erroneous. I have no idea what offended you so deeply in the first few pages, but this novel has deep rooted themes of loss and grief that are expressed in honorable, thoughtful ways. Since you didn’t take the time to read the book, you can’t know that. Thankfully, the response has been wonderful from readers who actually did read it as well as critically, including a starred Kirkus review. I am glad you were never my teacher or editor—which doesn’t give you license to be hurtful—because of how judgmental you appear to be. With all due respect, you would do me a favor to unsubscribe (if you’re a subscriber) or to not read my newsletter, which I write as a small way to put kindness, friendship, and comfort into the world. Just as I do with my novels.
I am SHOCKED that someone would write to you like this! It’s one thing to leave a bad amazon review (not what I would do but okay fine) but to directly write to you in this way? BADLY DONE. I for one LOVE your substack—it is warm and wonderful and I have shared it with friends because it makes me feel good. Buh-bye Joan.
Thank you, Daisy. I was pretty shocked too. Really appreciate your support! Also, I LOVED your novel. 🩷
oh thank you!!
Joan admires C Tucker. Enough said. I stand w you.
Love you, Ann
Dear Joan,
Your response presumes this book was not a success. But, in fact, it was! Earning starred reviews from major reviewers, earning over 4 stars from thousands of readers on GoodReads, and appearing on bookstores’ best of lists. So while the first couple of pages may not have been your cup of tea, please do not post misinformation by stating: “Be yourself like you were in your older works and it will be a success.” You write in response to Ann that “literary criticism is hard to take.” Alas, Joan, what you wrote was not literary criticism. Literary criticism does not chastise with phrases like “It is terrible” and “I hope you do much better.” Literary criticism often starts in a place of love and respect and any challenges with the work are filtered through that love. What you wrote was arrogant, patronizing and condescending. And mean. Nothing to do with literary criticism. Why am I spending time responding to you? Because I guess I am just tired of all the unkindness in the world. As a teacher of writing, of course you know the connotations of the word “terrible.” And you know the connotations of the words “kind” and “gracious.” You could have stopped after telling her that you are a fan of her works. That would have been kind, gracious, and uplifting in a time when kindness is in short supply.
Oof! Sorry, Ann,that you were the recipient of such a mean-spirited message, clumsily disguised as a critique. Block her (can you do that on Substack?) and move on.
Hi Anne, just a quick note to let you know I just picked up your book and found the first few pages so lovely and strange and really a masterclass in opening a novel (no spoilers, but the way you tell us where we are in time is wonderfully foreboding and subtle). The characters were immediate and vivid and as a former hobby painter the delight in color felt particularly joyous. I have a hard rule around making assumptions about strangers online, so I’m keeping my thoughts to myself, but I’m sorry you wound up on the wrong end of such condescending small mindedness.
Thank you for these lovely words, Kate.
You didn’t hesitate for long, Joan.