This is part of the Bittersweet Book Launch case study, where Dan Blank and Miranda Beverly-Whittemore share the yearlong process of launching her novel. You can view all posts here.
by Miranda Beverly-Whittemore
I read a really good book today. I listened raptly as my mother-in-law recounted attending the March on Washington fifty years ago. I played with my son. I went to the farmer’s market and sat in the forest next to a very patient toad for an hour. And then I came home to this:
In only nine days, I’ll be back in my “normal” life, and the sensation is, well, bittersweet. I have that back to school feeling, even though the only person going back to “school” in our family is our preschooler. Hard as I’ve been working this month, I know it pales in comparison to the drive I’ll feel, the tasks I’ll need to accomplish, come September.
Even before then, there are more books to read, more notes to write, a grant application to fill out, brainstorming about Friendstories and the next book and my website…
But I’m doing my best to slow down and be here, now. To remember the cool kiss of lake breeze on my cheek. The ripe taste of a hot farmer’s market tomato. My kiddo’s laughter as he swims and swims and swims. I think- I know- this time “off” makes me better in so many ways, but especially as a writer, almost as though it aerates my mind.
How do you aerate yours?