Mrs. Turtle Writes a Novel

Oh, the exquisite agony of being a novelist. The long form, the circuitous movement through so many convoluted plots. The characters that we fall in love with and then realize they must be eighty-sixed. (In case you're wondering--that's restaurant talk for cancelling an order.) I'm familiar with this because I was a Howard Johnson's waitress back in the early 1970's. I'm also familiar with the tumult and torture of writing a novel, since I launched myself into this world back in 1982 with my first YA novel Over the Hill at Fourteen.

And I was only fourteen at the time! (Okay, I was actually in my twenties--and so was my brilliant editor, the one and only Cindy Kane.)

Why is my current novel taking me so long to finish, you might ask? It's because I actually wrote three novels and the beginning of a fourth. Don't judge me! I took my first steps into this journey during the early days of the Pandemic. And then I began taking care of my dying father. I felt no rush to get a book out there in the world. And I suppose, I don't feel any pressure to do it now. Truth is, I love the writing part. Not so much the selling part.

Creative Friends--have you ever felt like this? Have you ever thought, I'd like to stay in bed today? I need a mental health day. Perhaps you're like Mrs. Turtle and you tend to move slowly and carefully--this despite how fast the Hare seems to be going.

But, don’t forget—he's in a sprint. And you, my Turtle friend—you're in a long-distance race. Perhaps, a marathon.

So, yes, it might look as if you are not getting anywhere, but I promise you--if you keep moving forward--writing or dancing or singing or painting--well, then one day you will reach the finish line. And I promise you—it will have all been worth it.

In the meantime, ignore whatever it is that Hare is doing! 

Have faith and get to work.

Love,

Jamie