I threw myself a tiny little party this past Saturday night – actually my sister hosted it, at her house – just to celebrate having finished the book. I had realized earlier in the week that there will be ongoing things to do concerning the book – copyediting to check, proofreading changes to accept or reject, blurbs to get, etc – and that if I didn’t mark the occasion, I’d hang around in a kind of limbo not getting onto other projects and finding new clients and the like.
So I threw a little party to thank the small cadre of folks who 1) helped with the book or who have generally been supportive of my writing, and 2) live around these parts. Like my sister and brother in law, for starters, and Betty (whose past couple of weeks living with a writer under deadline have *not* been the most fun she’s ever had), and others like our friend Angela, who is known to speechify about the importance of art & particularly mine; but also my friend Guy, who really is terrifically bored with how much I talk about gender but lets me prattle on anyway; Johanna, who read a chapter & whose “the girl one” story provided me with such a hugely useful way of thinking about gender in queer realtionships; my friend Doug who read the whole of the book and provided enthusiasm and good questions; Caprice, who is just nice *all the time* & of course helps with the boards; but most especially I wanted to thank Donna, who all this time has been reading my manuscript for me & providing me with an incredibly thought-provoking editing job, lawyerly re-writes, research data, objections, questions, and insights.
I had a really lovely time. I remember looking up at some point & realizing that all of my guests were people who I’d have long conversations in kitchens with at other people’s parties and events! Quite brilliant conversationalists, all of them. I overheard snatches of conversation about everything from the Pet Shop Boys to Margaret Atwood novels, from Divine’s movies to New Testament theology. I’ve been in a good mood since then, and feeling quite content with my lot in life just now.
So: thank you.
More thank yous tomorrow, to a ton of other people who were helpful but who either 1) couldn’t make it, or 2) don’t live ’round here.
You’re most welcome, Helen. Thank *you* for giving me the opportunity to read and comment on your manuscript — I felt very honored; it was a fascinating process; and I enjoyed it tremendously. And, without giving anything away, everyone has a terrific book to look forward to!
Congratulations, Helen — you should feel good.
I thought it was a lovely party, too, with wonderful company — and I’m speaking as someone who usually feels immensely uncomfortable at parties! I also wanted to mention that my son, whom I brought with me, and who felt very anxious about it, has told me repeatedly what a nice time he had. It was, we both think, the first party he’s ever been to (other than family/holiday gatherings) where everyone was an adult but him (he turned 16 recently), and I think he very much appreciated the way that he was included in conversations, and that people actually listened to what he had to say, without condescension. One of the things he said to me was, “I like being a grown up,” and I’m glad he was made to feel that way. Although I do think that people weren’t just being kind to him, and that he did participate as an “equal” in the conversations. I’m very proud of him, and it probably shows!
Donna
You should be proud, Donna. People listened to him because he had valuable things to add to the conversation.
As for me being nice “*all the time*,” well I think that’s a slight exaggeration.
It was a very nice party–a great antidote for the wedding of evangelical christians we went to earlier in the day. My wife had a great time (and really wants your sister’s recipe for the bean dip). Thanks again for the invitation.
Wow…what an achievement…and sounds like it was a fun party, too. With you in spirit, if not in body.