I woke up at 3, this morning, my head spinning with too many things, including a brush with some of the night terrors that occasionally come and sit beside me. So I came downstairs and will do some writing.
One more week on the book tour – S. Hadley tomorrow, the Public Library at 3, and then Odyssey Books at 7. I’m looking forward to it, “the Hadley Experiment.” I sometimes think that part of my madness is that I’m the only person who cares about things like reinventing the book tour. Other writers just do it and shut up about it. I have to reinvent the wheel. Sometimes I get sick of myself. But I feel strongly about it.
Book tours are an important measure of my life and growth, since I have done one a year for more than a decade. I can see my own evolution in the numbers, faces, tone and questions of the very loving and supportive people sitting across from me all over the country. What a gift that is. Another gift is to have Maria come along for some of the tour this year.
Both of us were nervous about her coming. Maria has struggled in her life with issues of identify and voice, and to come along as an adjunct to my book tour seemed fraught. It turned out to be an affirmation, not a submersion. She thought about it, and made sure to do her own work, her own art. She sketched, planned her “Rita” quilt, sold Family Farm notecards (signed Bedlam Farm holiday notecards are available at the Redux site) and helped me with driving, hauling luggage, caring for Izzy. I was overwhelmed by her presence. As usual, we talked and talked, took the scenery, talked about the people we met, the questions they asked. Made us even closer, if such a thing were possible.
The tour has been nothing but affirming for her. People who had purchased her quilts or potholders traveled to see her, talked about their art and hers, commented on her website and her work, had their own conversations. I thought she might be uncomfortable in the helter-skelter of a book tour, but she was at ease, gracious and curious. Self is an important thing. Many people – especially women, I think – struggle with questions of voice and identify. I told Maria that animal lovers tend to be loving people, for obvious reasons. And sensitive, also. Maria came back strong, excited, eager to get back to her own work, glad she came. Me too.
To love a dog or a cat, you have to experience love. I see it all the time.
As I am beginning to understand, the tour has also been affirming for me. Lots of great comments about the novel, interested in my future books, support for my photography, the blog and my continuing struggles to figure life out.
So today is a today of housekeeping. I have to explain to the Jury Commissioner why my juror dates are mixed up. Shop for Maria’s favorite dinner (sssh!). Get new shoes from L.L. Bean. Hit the road for the near-last leg of the book tour. I will be posting from the Ipad as usual and taking photos like made. The Hadley experiment is important. It’s about broadening the book tour. Talking to readers. Using technology to give writers more power and responsibility for the marketing of their books. We’ll see.