Coping: An Author’s Chat With A Character

Author Lynn Goodwin chats to her book character Sandee Mason.

Dear Sandee Mason, 

 I am so sorry our publisher gave up. I loved your story and I know you did too.

You were always my favorite character. You let me know your opinions. Shared them without hesitation. Loved your streaks of maturity, your aspirations, and the fact that what you needed to fight in life was clear-cut.

So many good things have happened to me in the last year, but there’s a nagging voice that tells me its time to let go of writing. So I’m coming to you for advice, Sandee. What should I do now that both Talent and You Want Me to Do WHAT? are with defunct publishers. As you high schools say, w/b.  

‘Sup Lynn, 

Can’t believe Eternal Press and Caliburn are shutting their doors. Poor us.

But in a way I can. They stopped answering e-mails, just like the woman you signed the contract with. You deserved better, and a voice in your head told you so, but you hit “Send” anyway and took their contract when they offered it ‘cuz you wanted to be published so badly. Remember? 

So let’s move forward. There are plenty of small presses out there and you already found one, so that’s one possibility. Another is to turn me into a series. You know I want a part in your story about Jules, but that’s still like jell-o that you’re putting into the refrigerator. You know what I mean. Not jelled. Maybe Koehler would take us. Maybe a small press specializing in teen books. There are lots of options and author-publishing is a completely legitimate option for a good writer these days. And you picked up a ton of names of youth librarians and a new publisher is new life and new energy.

You know Aline said your writing is getting better, and you know she wouldn’t make that up, right? And you know you’ve won awards for 2 books now.

Yes, Sandee. I know.

Tell me the truth. Aren’t my stories nagging in your head? What about hooking me up with Jules in that book you keep putting on the back burner. Have her come and live with us and ultimately her family moves down too and they buy a house in the neighborhood. Coping. Then we can do the story about the earthquake. Coping again. Maybe Runt Boy did what he did ‘cuz he couldn’t cope?

Love your energy and enthusiasm, Sandee, but what if I want to do something else? 

Do you? 

The bell just rang and I’ve gotta go to 5th period. English. We’re reading To Kill a Mockingbird. Sure am glad we don’t live back then.

Don’t worry about Talent. I’m still alive and well, and I’m never going away. Neither is your writing unless you give it up.

Luvies, 

Sandee  w/b

—

Lynn Goodwin owns Writer Advice, www.writeradvice.com. Her memoir, Never Too Late: From Wannabe to Wife at 62 came out in December. She’s written You Want Me to Do WHAT? Journaling for Caregivers and Talent, which was short-listed for a Literary Lightbox Award, won a bronze medal in the Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards and was a finalist for a Sarton Women’s Book Award.

Goodwin’s work has appeared in Voices of Caregivers, Hip Mama, Dramatics Magazine, Inspire Me Today, The Sun, Good Housekeeping.com, Purple Clover.com and many other places. She is a reviewer and teacher at Story Circle Network, and she is an editor, writer and manuscript coach at Writer Advice.

NEVER TOO LATE: FROM WANNABE TO WIFE AT 62, B. Lynn Goodwin

How does a 62-year-old woman who’s never been married find happiness with a two-time widower seeking his third wife on . . . Craigslist!?

Does she throw caution to the wind and relinquish her freedom, or should she take a crash course in compromises? Author B. Lynn Goodwin tells all and more in Never Too Late. How she was attracted to Richard’s clear expectations, his honesty, and his incredible openness. She’d never met anyone like him. Would she recognize love if it knocked on her heart? And could an educated woman be happy moving into a blue-collar world? Whether you’ve been single forever, are trapped in an unhappy marriage, or you’re simply curious, you’ll find secrets to a happy marriage in Never Too Late.

” One by one, she confronts her doubts with openness and honesty in this memoir, relating it all with convincing clarity and a refreshing lack of sentimentality. This isn’t a conventional love story; rather, it’s a mature assessment of the pros and cons of having a relationship.” –Kirkus Reviews

“Very different from any love story you have ever read.” –Richard J. Smith, Ph.D., author of Life After Eighty,
Once Upon A Christmas, and Musings of an Old Man

“Never Too Late is an honest, insightful look at one of life’s greatest mysteries: the ever changing and ever challenging relationship between a man and a woman. This book is one you won’t want to miss!” –Mary Eileen Williams, Host of Feisty Side of Fifty, author of Land the Job You Love!: 10 Surefire Strategies for Jobseekers Over 50

“A vivid, engaging, and heart-warming tribute to that rare and wonderful thing: a late-in-life love.” –Susan Wittig Albert, Ph.D, author of Loving Eleanor and The General’s Women

“A book filled with grace and charm.” –Aline Soules, author of Meditation on Woman and Evening Sun

BUY THE BOOK HERE

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Category: Interviews, On Writing