some nice news and trying to re-emerge -- sort of

had some nice news a week or so ago.

THE SALT GARDEN was placed on the list of Best Books of 2004 by Library Journal.

and recently, i have news for those wonderful readers who've ask the magic words to any writers ears, "when is your next book coming out?" for nine months, i was without contract and a known writing future. but alas, no more!

i'm signing with WESTBOW PRESS for two novels. the release dates seem far -- jan. '05 and '06 so no book for a while. but i'm very excited and grateful to work with the great bunch at westbow.

and my gratitude to those notes dropped into my self-imposed solitary world lately. i'm trying to re-emerge, but might take some time. truly, it's been such a gift to hear from you. i'll be back to the ole unreliable, busy, stressed, slightly insane me in no time. maybe.

trying to re-emerge as a writer too -- especially this last month has been tough. so what gets us back out? some tips that i'm using on myself:

* reading well-crafted novels (just started A SECRET HISTORY by Donna Tartt for my book club reading. already very intriguing and excellent writing)

* watching a great movie either great in writing, filming, or inspiration (okay, so Neverland made me cry and cry and also want to rush to my desk and work and work)

* revisiting those ole favorite novels and films

* going back to that hemingway "one true sentence" (look in the archives for my blog entry on that)

* getting sleep and eating healthy food instead of no food (sort of helps with all of life)

* holding finished manuscripts or books (some in translations) and remembering that yes, it is possible. yes, you were called to this. no, you can't live without it.

* reading great writing blogs like faith*in*fiction or the master's artists or kelli standish's or so many others that can be found following the trails from one to the other. but don't spend too much time there that you never get motivated back to your work.

* open your old computer files of ideas and books in progress. really awakens the creativity again, or sometimes let's you know how far you've come as a writer.

* reading a quote on your desk left behind by a writer friend. will quote here again for those like me who need it over and over: "planning to write is not writing. outlining a book is not writing. researching is not writing. talking to people about what you're doing, none of that is writing. writing is writing." -- e.l. doctorow

so perhaps that's some encouragement for all of us. taking steps to get strong again as a writer is much like giving up exercise for a year and living on krispy kremes then trying to launch into a fitness program. hard to do, but also can't wait to get into writing shape.

best wishes to each of you.