I owe some of you an apology.
The hardest thing. The longest climb. The yoga pose that lasts for hours. Daily marathons. Or what about walking fifteen miles a day for thirty-four days?
I’m convinced nothing is more challenging than writing and finding an audience.
Still, everyone should try. Keep on keeping on. Never, ever, ever give up. Cliches? Yes. True? Absolutely.
I forget that mentality sometimes. When I see you one-on-one.
I grouse. I whine. I complain.
Because no one ever tells you writing is lonely all the way around. On random days, it gets to me. I can’t always hide from people in my lowest moments, and I’ve never been good at filtering my trap.
I’m lucky to know you. I’ve shed tears over how many of you deem me inspiring, because I’m oblivious to that stuff.
You inspire me, and that’s really all that registers in my head.
Thank you for being there.
51 Comments
“Keep on keeping on” – a motto I adhere to, Andra, and so, we all do . . .
Know it is a tough time, this writing stuff, but, you will get there – and I, for one, can’t wait.
The more I learn, the more I find I have to learn, Penny. It’s been a tough couple of weeks, but those things have yielded the set up for some pretty amazing stuff. I can feel it.
it has truly been our pleasure, andra )
Reading your stuff…..now that’s pleasure. You’re always funny, Beth. I love your outlook on life.
Inspiring?…sometimes.
Funny?…most of the time.
Entertaining?….all of the time.
Looking forward to finally meeting you in Columbia next Tuesday.
I can’t believe it’s next Tuesday. All confirmed with Coco. Looking forward to meeting you, too.
Andra, part of the reason you inspire so many is because you are human. You fall down, get back up, and keep going. You feel fear, let it take over, and fight through it. You have bad days, feel tired, want to scream, and yet still make it through. Too many of us get stopped by the human emotions, but you work through them. We’re on your side, even if you don’t see that.
You’ve heard a lot more of this than most, because you’ve spent a lot of time with me. And I don’t want anything I say or do to keep you from forging your path, from putting your words out there, from following your dream. I know you’re on my side, but I don’t want to ever do or say anything that makes you regret that. I can’t wait to hold your book in my hands.
Two MA memoir events booked already (March 26 and April 2). The man I met in Bedford sent me links to everyone in his district, with an offer to help me get in as many places as I can that week. I saved all my contacts from my last trip, so let me know when you’d like them. 🙂
I think you need to not worry about it. Speaking for myself, while you inspire me I have not put you on a pedestal. You can’t make me regret learning from you, unless somehow you became a bloodsucking vulture who only cared about herself .That’s not going to happen.
I’m still in the freak out zone about what’s next, but I am also one step closer. The cover needs a couple of tweaks and it will be done.
You are welcome, Andra! I hope to actually meet you face-to-face one day, so that you can whine to me over a glass of wine. I’ll whine back. It will be good. 🙂
Next time we’re coming to WI, I’ll let you know. 🙂 MTM’s mom is coming here late Oct/early Nov. I’m not sure what we’re doing after Christmas yet. We usually go to WI between Christmas and New Years.
I hope it’s not bitter cold if you do come…or is that reason for another glass of wine?
Keep on keeping on. We love you. That’s all that matters.Oh, and pumpkin spice. Pumpkin spice matters too.
I’m taking Cayleigh to get her pumpkin today. Maybe we’ll find a way to find some spice. I took her to Starbucks for the first time several weeks ago.
I second every word in Lisa A. Kramer’s comment …
Thanks, Marie.
You are one of my favorites humans…:)
And you’re one of mine…….and I get to meet you in two weeks!!
I am so excited about that! (I can’t wait!)
Its hard to see what’s going on around you when you’re being dragged along by a shooting star. We are grateful to watch your journey.
And this is why you’re my beta reader………..you come up with some of the loveliest sentences. I don’t see myself that way AT ALL. ARCs are days away, and I still want to make massive changes. 🙂 I’m so afraid this thing won’t inspire others to make time for their loved ones.
Yep. I agree. Ditto what lifeonthecutoff said above. One of my favorite sayings.
MTM bought The Little Engine That Could for our Rotary literacy gift. He said he was thinking of me. Ha.
I love everything Lisa Kramer has mentioned above – your voice is real and it is inspiring!
My voice is going to be hoarse. 🙂 Over the next week to 10 days, I’m recording an audio version of the memoir. I feel like I need to go back and take voice and movement classes for the stage…….
Interesting how we tend to focus on the things we wish would be better rather than the things that are already great. The lonely task of writing and self-promotion is a killer and requires a constant focus what has been accomplished. I for one am always amazed and delighted with your accomplishments, and keep plugging away using you as inspiration.
These past couple of weeks, it’s been really hard to see what’s been accomplished in the midst of what’s blown up. 🙂 I haven’t talked about any of it publicly, other than a little rant yesterday in a comment on someone’s blog. (And a LOT of ranting to poor MTM. I don’t know how he stands me.)
Thank you for being so delightfully human and for believing in what I’m trying to do because it is your nature. There’s a great old line from a Justin Hayward Moody Blues song: “All the love you’ve been giving has all been meant for you.”
Jim, I believe it’s so much better to encourage people. We live in a world full of people who say no, who tell us we’re crap, who are always the first to point out why something cannot be done.
And I’m going to call that what it is: The manifestation of the fears, insecurities and limitations of the person saying those things. They’ve already decided they can’t do anything, and they’re letting you know it, loud and clear.
You are a champion my friend. You are able to Shimon words and express things with lovely strength. Fight on. You are winning. You just need to step back and view the forest. You’ve examined the bark on the current tree very closely. How’s that for a platitude filled pep talk? #YouAreMyHero
Summon. Danged autocorrect.
That’s the biggest challenge for any business owner: Going from bark-gazing to forest-flying, sometimes in the span of five minutes. I’ve always been very good at helping other business owners make that transition, but it’s harder when I’m looking at my thing. I’m not emotionally or financially invested in my client’s business like I am in my own.
You are a fighter and you are fighting to make your dream a reality. That is inspiring!
p.s. Guess who *might* be in NYC while you’re there. I don’t want to jinx it but… I may have to postpone LV because of the amount of house activity. So… a nice little side trip might be in order. (Plus, I just found out that we have an exec update meeting that week. In person attendance def not mandatory, but…) 🙂
Yayayayayayayay! I really hope it works out. I have a thing on Wednesday at lunch, and I have to go to Book Culture to drop off some materials. I’m trying to have dinner with a group of folks Thursday night. So, lots of open time.
Many days I am happy to read your post early. Today, I’m happy to be late to the party, ’cause everyone else has already said anything I could possibly have said; so, DITTO!!
It has been such a treat to sit here, read, and watch you grow. Keep on keepin’ on, kiddo. You got this!
I’m determined to get it before it gets me. Ha.
Andra, you are such an inspiration to me not just because of your exquisite writing and the risks you’re willing to take, but because you are REAL and are not afraid to share your vulnerabilities. I look forward to deepening our friendship and can’t wait to have you back in good old Massachusetts 🙂
I’m looking forward to visiting again. It was so great to meet you. xo
I’m very happy to be here. I’ve said it many, many times….and I’ll say it many more times, I admire you.
As I said a while ago, I’m determined to tour your way in the coming months. Somehow, I’ll make it happen. 🙂
I can’t wait for your memoir Andra! I love your writing especially when you write about your family and personal things. Don’t be so hard on yourself…..look at all your cheerleaders!
I hope you’re not disappointed, Debbie. The memoir isn’t my family in caricature. It’s as honest and unvarnished as I could make it. I always make Dad funny on the blog, and he is funny sometimes. But not always. We almost killed each other on the Trace walk, and he almost got me killed once. I fear the book is not going to be what readers here expect………I hope that’ll end up being a good thing.
But it’s fun, Andra. The loneliness is far overshadowed by the fun. Well, that’s how I see it anyway.
Keep on keeping on… and Feel Good! All’s well.
You’re right, Tom. Even when I’m pulling my hair out, I’m having fun. 🙂
Aw, Andra, that is so sweet! I admire your bravery and perseverance. Can’t wait to read your memoir. I LOVE memoirs!
Ha. If you told me three years ago I’d write a memoir, I would’ve called you insane.
That’s what makes life so worth living, yes?
Another late to the party comment but yes, Andra you are truly inspiring. Don’t ever forget or let the doubts creep too far in because I say to myself more often than I should admit, “if Andra can do … of course I can manage this little thing.” And how perfect that you are going to record an audio version!
Yes, I can persecute everyone, everywhere, with my Southern accent!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂
I got a certain lingerie catalog in the mail a few weeks ago………I wonder where that came from…….
And I doubt, but I still DO. I think that’s the most important thing. So many people doubt and don’t DO.
I love that you are willing to be honest about what you’re going through and how you feel. You know by now how I find you refreshing because you don’t invest time in promoting façades. Just keep going and don’t stop! When I feel my spirits sag I often repeat the lines from “The Little Engine That Could.” I think I can, I think I can…I KNOW I can, I know I can. 🙂 And in this case “I know YOU can!” 🙂
I need to write out my own apology. The past six weeks have kicked me in the face and my writing is suffering. Thanks for being where you are so I can be inspired.
Comments are closed.