Motherhood & Words
This morning the doorbell rang at ten o’clock. A FedEx driver handed me a thin package. When I turned it over I saw that it was from University of Minnesota Press, my publisher. I tore it open and there it was—my book. The cover is so smooth, matte finish, just as I’d hoped. It’s paperback, but it has inside flaps, like a hardcover. It’s gorgeous.
I squealed, then I promptly burst into tears. And let me be clear: I did not gracefully shed a couple of tears. I wept. I sobbed. I wondered what the hell was happening. I was completely flabbergasted, but I couldn’t stop crying.
This was very different than last year, when I received my box of copies of Use Your Words from Viva Editions. That day, I sliced open the box, grabbed a copy of my book and jumped up and down, screaming. I screamed so much, in fact, that Stella actually told me to get a hold of myself. “Geez, Mom.”
But this book is different. I started work on it nine and a half years ago. I wrote it, revised it, had it rejected, wrote it again, revised it again, had it rejected some more. Through all of that I didn’t give up believing in the book. Well, okay some days I guess I did, but most of the time I just kept at it. When I’d get a rejection, I’d usually lace up my running shoes and head to the river road. (And then drink some wine.) After a particularly nasty agent rejection—The book would be so much better if you were more like Anne Lamott—I ran the fastest seven miles I’d ever run. I was crying and laughing and swearing the whole way, and I’m sure I looked insane, but when I got home I felt better.
Rejection is never easy, but it got easier. After a while, if an agent or editor didn’t love the book, I reasoned that didn’t want them anyway. So I kept writing, kept revising, made the book the best book I could write.
But this is the thing. All of that submitting and writing and rewriting is exhausting. All of that constantly putting yourself out there, hoping hoping, is exhausting. And so today, when I held that book in my hands—that book that might as well contain a piece of each of my organs—well, all of that other stuff came rushing out, too. All of those years of trying not to be discouraged, of not giving up, all that energy I expended, all the tears I shed. It all whooshed right out of me, and I sobbed and sobbed, grateful and exhausted. And then I called Donny and sobbed through an explanation of why I was sobbing, and he started laughing, and I felt so grateful for him, for putting up with me all these years, for always believing the book would find the right home, which it has. Which it really has.
But still, I couldn’t stop crying. I realized I wasn’t going to get anything done in that state, so I laced up my running shoes, grabbed my iPod, and headed toward the river. I cried some more and let all those other post-rejection runs seep into this one. And then I ran past them until it was just me now, me with this book that I’ve worked so f*%#ing hard on. It started to rain, and I shivered as I ran over the Mississippi River, picking up my pace. Then I shook out my arms, let out a couple of boisterous whoops, and pumped my fist into the air.
And that’s why you never give up.
That is a very, vey good reason to never give up. Congratulations! I can’t wait to get my hands on a copy.
Oh Melissa, thank you!
Love this. Yes!
Thank you, Gillian!
Love, love, love this! You are an inspiration, Kate Hopper! I am printing this off and keeping it where I can read it and reread often. Congratulations many times over to you. Eagerly awaiting my copy 🙂
Kathleen Cadmus
Thank you so mcuh, Kathleen. And I can’t wait to dive into your pages!
Thanks for sharing. Inspiring, just like you. Whoop whoop from Canada!!
Thank you, Sue!!
I’m crying for you!! Pure joy, my friend, pure joy… I cannot wait to read it. So so so happy for you!!
It IS pure joy now that I’ve gotten all the other stuff out of me. Thank you, dear Kristen!
Yes. Yes. Yes! The world is a better place because of your courage and wisdom and authenticity. Congratulations.
Oh thank you, Laura!! Your words made my day!
Inspiring and exciting—and I bet I would have cried too
You will, Sara! I know that day is on the horizon.
Yeahhhh! It’s beautiful. You deserve every whoop and tear. And it made me smile to read about you sharing the news with Donny.
Thank you, sweet Andria!
Oh, Kate. I’m so happy for you. I’m so excited to talk about your book next month and I HOPE that Anne Lamont agent eats his/her f#*cking words. Thank you for not giving up–you are an inspiration.
Jumping and whooping with you!
xo,
H
Ha! This made me laugh! Thank you, dear Hallie!
Thank you for sharing this moving and REAL reaction to your own hard work and success. (My projection is that Anne Lamott would understand and also feel your pride, for whatever that’s worth….Personally, I’m glad you each have strong voices, amazing talent and a desire to support others in their writing.)
Congratulations and I can’t wait to read it.
I love this, Melinda. Thank you!
And now, Eye of the Tiger is on constant rotation in my head. 🙂 This post is so real and beautiful. The Anne Lamott story was the best, and especially this: “Through all of that I didn’t give up believing in the book. Well, okay some days I guess I did, but most of the time I just kept at it.” It’s not a glamorous journey, but you’ve reminded all of us how we get there.
Now Eye of the Tiger is going to be on constant rotation in MY head!Thank you for these words, Angie!
Are you kidding me–The book would be so much better if you were more like Anne Lamott??? Ugh, thank you for not being just another Anne Lamott!! You are wonderful and I’m so excited to read your book, and there’s nothing like a good cry, is there?
Thank you, Andrea!! And you’re right–a good cry is amazing!
This is awesome.
Can’t wait.
xo~
Thank you so much, Stephanie!
Bravo, Kate! This is a wonderful post—so inspiring! Congratulations on the book and everything it represents: your courage, determination, discipline, faith, and more! I’m looking forward to reading it!
Bella, thank you so much for your kind words and for posting. I look forward to learning more about your writing and coaching.
Warmly,
Kate
Huge congrats to you. Looking forward to seeing/hearing you at your Berkeley, CA reading in October!
Rachel! Thank you! And I can’t wait to meet you in person in October!
xo
Kate
Kate,
I’m bleary-eyed from staying up late to read your book. Even though I know “it all turns out okay” namely you did not die and Stella’s a big sister, it’s a hard story to put down. I love that!
And I just hit the part where you’re visiting the NICU and you see the happy birthday sign and I had to stop to wish your lovely daughter a happy 10th birthday.
Back to the book before I must get some sleep (or not.)
M
Oh Melinda, thank you!! That means the world to me. And thank you for the birthday wishes for my sweet girl. 10!!
xo
Kate
Whooping for you too!! So so happy for you!
Thank you, Kara!!
[…] date for Ready for Air. It seems unreal, but there you have it. Of course I’ve written about my struggles to get this book out into the world. And yet, here I am, with my first review under my belt. And I want you to know that I […]
I just clicked over from Angie Mizzell’s blog and I’m glad I did! The world already has an Anne Lamott– pretty sure what we need from you is YOU! You got a new cheerleader here! Very excited to learn more about your book! xo
Thank you so much, Robin. And thank you for stopping by. I loved your interview with Angie a few weeks ago, and I’m so happy to hear about all your recent successes! Fabulous news. I look forward to being in touch!