Motherhood & Words

I have been in a tizzy these last days, thinking about and managing logistics for the upcoming Mother Words reading (Oct. 7 at the Loft—don’t forget!) and I’ve also been writing writing writing away, trying to finish the memoir.

Well. I just typed the last sentence with tears in my eyes, and then I turned to the woman, a perfect stranger, next to me at the coffee shop and said, “I’m sorry. I don’t know you, but I have to tell you that I just finished my book.” She was gracious and polite and lovely.

Now I’ve just emailed all 345 pages to myself in case my very old laptop explodes on the way home from the coffee shop today.

I’m not completely done, of course. I need to go back over the last fifty pages, which I’ve written in a rush, and tweak and tighten. And then I’ll send the last chapters to my amazing writing group and then to my amazing agent. And then. And then. And then. Please.

But for now, I’m going to celebrate. It’s taken me a year and a half to rewrite this book, and it’s something of which I’m proud, really really proud.

This goes out to my Stella, of course. And to D, without whom I couldn’t have written a word. And to all of you for your cheering. Thanks, y’all.

Posted in

Kate

I have been teaching creative writing for almost twenty years. Reading about other women’s lives and experiences has expanded my world. To be able to walk in someone else’s shoes, whether it’s for a moment or an hour or a few days, is an incredible gift, providing me with insight into the human experience. It takes courage to write your truths, especially if it doesn’t seem as though anyone cares, as though anyone is listening. Let me tell you: your stories matter, I’m listening, and I’m here to help you find the heart of those truths, to get them down on the page, to craft them, and to send them out into the world. Together, we will change the world, one story at a time.

31 Comments

  1. Holly Vanderhaar on September 28, 2010 at 1:25 pm

    Congratulations! It must be an amazing feeling.



  2. kate hopper on September 28, 2010 at 1:31 pm

    Thank you, Holly!! It IS. Interestingly, I never felt this way after I finished the first draft.



  3. Andrea on September 28, 2010 at 1:47 pm

    Woo-hoo!!! Congratulations…time to open the champagne!



  4. cath c on September 28, 2010 at 2:04 pm

    i'm so excited for you that i have teared up, too!



  5. Mary on September 28, 2010 at 2:36 pm

    I have tears in my eye too!!! Huge congratulations. Wish I was there to take you out for a celebration. xxox



  6. Joy Riggs on September 28, 2010 at 3:15 pm

    That's wonderful, Kate!



  7. gillian on September 28, 2010 at 3:15 pm

    Hooray!!!! What a day! SO HAPPY FOR YOU :). And cant wait til I get to read your story one day soon.



  8. Kris QC on September 28, 2010 at 3:29 pm

    Three cheers for Kate!!!!
    Fantastic!!!
    Can't wait to read it… I can get my book signed one day right??!!



  9. kristenspina on September 28, 2010 at 5:30 pm

    I teared up, too, when I read this. It's such a wonderful accomplishment, Kate, I hope you'll give yourself a chance to bask in it for a good long while (and then get back to work!)



  10. kate hopper on September 28, 2010 at 5:32 pm

    Thank you so much, ladies. Part of what makes this so huge for me is knowing that you are all out there cheering for me! Thank you thank you!



  11. Myrna CG Mibus on September 28, 2010 at 5:53 pm

    Congratulations!! I'm planning to attend the Mother Words event at The Loft so will be able to congratulate you in person there!



  12. Leightongirl on September 28, 2010 at 8:32 pm

    Fantastic! And, from here, I applaud your decision to celebrate this moment. Each one in the process needs to be honored, no matter what is ahead. I'm so happy for you, and so proud!



  13. Kaethe on September 28, 2010 at 9:04 pm

    Hurrah! What terrific news! Please celebrate in ridiculous, over-the-top ways. 🙂



  14. Toby's Mom on September 28, 2010 at 9:26 pm

    Congratulations Kate!! So happy for you.



  15. Ines on September 28, 2010 at 9:32 pm

    Oh, Kate. This is fantastic news. I am so, so happy for you.



  16. Lisa on September 28, 2010 at 11:08 pm

    Yay! That's awesome. I can't wait to read it! I totally plan to come to Mother Words with my mom; woo-hoo 🙂



  17. Elizabeth on September 29, 2010 at 12:20 am

    WOW! I can't wait to read that book. Congratulations!



  18. unfinishedportraitofsam on September 29, 2010 at 12:52 am

    a very large WHOOOO HOOOO from me!!



  19. kate hopper on September 29, 2010 at 12:12 pm

    Thank you all! I'm blushing with all of your encouragement!



  20. Laura G. O'Brien on September 29, 2010 at 3:11 pm

    I thought it was interesting that with this revision you have a marked feeling of completion. That must be so rewarding. Thanks for shining a light on your process in several of your posts this summer. Congrats!!!!



  21. jen on September 29, 2010 at 3:32 pm

    congratulations. now take a moment to breathe. i teared up at the stella line. funny how a name can make something so different feel so close-to-home-ish.



  22. Amber on September 29, 2010 at 5:20 pm

    Yay Kate!! That's awesome! You totally rock. Thrilled, thrilled, thrilled for you 🙂



  23. LutherLiz on September 29, 2010 at 9:34 pm

    Congratulations! I can't wait to read it!



  24. Melinda on September 29, 2010 at 10:41 pm

    Good for you! Way to go, Kate.



  25. Andria on September 29, 2010 at 10:49 pm

    How awesome, Kate!!! You should be so proud of all of your hard work!



  26. Alexis on October 1, 2010 at 5:11 am

    Well done Kate! Can't wait to read it all…congratulations x



  27. Annmurt@aol.com on October 1, 2010 at 7:02 pm

    Way to go, Kate! Can't wait to see the finished product!



  28. Brenda on October 2, 2010 at 4:50 pm

    That's HUGE! If you haven't eaten brownies over this yet, get in that kitchen!



  29. Sarah on October 4, 2010 at 5:44 pm

    Yay, Kate! You rock.



  30. Erin on October 5, 2010 at 11:15 am

    How amazing. I can't even imagine how you feel! I am so very far behind you in this marathon and so grateful for the way you put yourself and your process out there so I can feel inspired!



  31. dlorman on October 10, 2010 at 11:25 pm

    This is great news . Writing really does have a start and finish, well mostly. Thank you for the blogging seminar. Now my wheels are rollong once again!

    Enjoy this brief moment!