By I just finished my book edits today and was so surprised by how it felt to be done. I expected joy. Pride. Maybe even tears for what an exhausting and emotional trip it’s been. But I just feel numb and edgy. These were hard, hard edits, and they brought me about as low as I can go. I had to dig deeper than ever to find the stamina and the belief in myself. And when I didn’t have it in me, I borrowed heavily from my most amazing agent, who really did save me from giving up.
Anyway, I’m going to leave LitPark down for one more week, though I’ll be floating around in the comments section again. We decorated the Christmas tree today, and I bought makings for a gingerbread house. I just want to slow down this week and spend time with my family.
Next week’s guest will be well worth the wait!
xo
I started LitPark (a literary playground) in 2006 in order to build a supportive community of writers and artists who are in this game for the long haul. Together, through blog posts, interviews, and moving stories told in the comments’ section, we’ve shared our struggles and doubts, our best advice, and helped to remind each other how to enjoy this work we do.
lance_reynald
December 10, 2007bravo.
so very proud of and happy for you.
xo.
SusanHenderson
December 10, 2007Thank you. For every single thing. xo
JimT
December 10, 2007Get hugs and hot chocolate, Sue, and plenty of rest.
Kimberly
December 10, 2007YAY! YAY! YAY! YAY! YAY! YAY! YAY!
A gingerbread house sounds like a divine celebration!
Erika Archer
December 10, 2007Good for you – you deserve to take as much time as you need.
Aurelio
December 10, 2007Congratulations, Susan! I’m so glad you got through it all.
I was just looking in Joy of Cooking at a recipe for gingerbread – not the cookies, the real deal. Served warm with lemon sauce or whipping cream. We’re having some friends over for dinner tomorrow so I’m going to make that for desert. Mmmmmmmmmm…
‘Tis the season to get fatter.
Aimee
December 10, 2007Congrats!!!!! I want so ginger bread. Or just the gumdrop decorations…mmm gumdrops. Anyway, I miss you but I am very happy for you. Glad you made it. See you next week.
lori oliva
December 10, 2007Congratulations, Susan on making it through….and thank you for sharing what you went through.
Have a great week.
Lori
Carolyn_Burns_Bass
December 10, 2007I am so proud of you, Susan. For your transparency, for your generosity, for your accomplishments. Relax now. Enjoy the season of giving, while allowing yourself to receive. You deserve it.
Nathalie
December 10, 2007Aaaaaaaaaargh!
Not even a single picture of the tree?
I am very proud of you. Not that I have any right to, but I do nevertheless. I hope the post partem depression clears up quickly.
SusanHenderson
December 10, 2007You are all the best. Thank you. I am in such a funk still, and apologies to anyone who happened to experience it today.
Just got back from Kimberly’s waxing premiere. Her film is BRILLIANT. Really funny, fast-paced, amazingly edited. And I got a merkin as a parting gift! It’s red with fake diamonds! If you don’t know what a merkin is, you have not watched Kimberly’s film and you’ll have to Google it!
Kimberly
December 11, 2007Aw shucks… I’m just so happy you & Mr. H were able to take a night off and join in the frivolity! 🙂
(Robin… you were sorely missed, hon.)
Aurelio
December 11, 2007Congratulations, Kimberly! Are you bringing it to LA? If so, you need to let me know.
I don’t want a merkin though – yeeesh!
SusanHenderson
December 11, 2007The merkin’s are awfully cute, though. And they do make great stocking stuffers!
SusanHenderson
December 11, 2007Yeah, we needed you, Robin. Mr. H and I were in this room of VERY tall models and porn stars, etc, and we were huddled in the corner for people who cannot even pretend to make small talk. I was actually afraid to watch the movie because I get strangely prudish and squeamish about these kinds of things, but it was SO good and funny, and I’m sure it will win lots of awards.
Greg
December 11, 2007Embrace your funk and then drop it off at the curb, Susan. Keep up the good work and I can’t wait to read the results.
Kimberly
December 11, 2007No? I thought for sure they would be a festive Drag Poker prop!
As soon as we start reeling in the fest acceptances, we will be sure to shout it from the rooftops!
(Susan, I hope you will forgive the borrowing of your platform, but if anyone reading wants to be added to the mailing list – for screening info in a town near you – feel free to email me at “info at sheshootstoconquer dot com” or add us as your myspace friend: http://www.myspace.com/whywewax and I’ll be sure to keep you updated!)
Jessica Keener
December 11, 2007Susan,
Congratulations on this huge crossing. What a terrific way to wrap up the year. The funk is good. It’s telling you to rest and you’re listening. Well done!!!
Jessica
SusanHenderson
December 11, 2007You guys are so awfully sweet. And important to me!
I’ve been wrapping presents all day. I’m pretty certain if we held a contest for the worst present wrapper ever, I’d win. When I get done with things, unless they’re perfectly square, it just looks like someone got mad and balled up a bunch of paper and put tape everywhere.
robinslick
December 11, 2007Aw, Kim, I wish I could have been there. Did anyone take pics? Eric says hi (well, it’s more like a kind of a Percoset “highhhh”) and apologizes for keeping me from you – do you believe him?
Susan, congratulations on finishing the edits and don’t even talk to me about wrapping presents – I haven’t even bought one gift for anyone yet let alone wrapping paper and now I’m realizing it’s December 11 and am in full panic mode. No tree yet, either, and I’m normally one who puts it up the day after Thanksgiving.
I think this year we’ll just get a metal pole in the living room (good for so many other things and clearly the subject of Kim’s next film) and celebrate Festivus. I forget – does that mean I get to beat someone up? I can think of a few doctors at the two hospitals treating Eric this weekend but I will settle for any Republican at this point.
Kimberly
December 11, 2007Besides working a pole in your living room (take from that what you will…) Festivus includes:
– The Airing of Grievances
– Feats of Strength (wrestling the head of the household to the ground – thus declaring Festivus “over”)
– Random Festivus Miracles
– The most awesome limited-edition flavor of Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream!
robinslick
December 11, 2007Oh, I am so going to have a Festivus day on my blog…I will research the alleged date and have everyone air grievances and random miracles. Should be fun.
As for me, one of my grievances concerns Ben & Jerry’s. They had a contest to create a new flavor and I live for this kind of stuff. So I invented Creme Brulee ice cream and gave them all the specifics. I didn’t win the contest, but that flavor miraculously appeared this year in all of their shops, down to the exact detail of my email to them. But like, I’m not about to sue Ben & Jerry. All I really want is a lifetime gift certificate!
Nathalie
December 13, 2007There was a very interesting article about them on Cabinet of Wonders…
Nathalie
December 13, 2007Weeeeee!
Are you doing a grand opening in Rome?
The idea of giving away merkins is brilliant!
Kimberly
December 13, 2007Oh dear oh dear oh dear oh dear!
SusanHenderson
December 13, 2007Now that’s quite a lot of information I didn’t have before.
(Can you imagine being “a Ren brat”?)
SusanHenderson
December 14, 2007I have a favor to ask if anyone is hanging around and has two free minutes. My pal, Oronte Churm, is running a little John/Paul survey over at his place. I’ve already screwed up the results, of course. But if you could head over there and play, it’s actually for something very important and serious. And anyone who plays will experience huge fame, fortune and luck!
http://insidehighered.com/views/blogs/the_education_of_oronte_churm
jodyreale
December 14, 2007Oh my gosh, congratulations. See you next week.
Kimberly
December 14, 2007Weird. I did. But the comments don’t show up. Curious to know what the answers are being accumulated for…
Oronte Churm
December 15, 2007Thank you, Kim, and to everyone who’s left a comment. They’ll show by tomorrow–some weird software thing at IHE–though you can see them now if you click the title of that one posting. I hope everyone will drop by and leave some thoughts. Thanks again!
SusanHenderson
December 15, 2007You can see the comments if you click here:
http://insidehighered.com/views/blogs/the_education_of_oronte_churm/my_funky_easy_1_question_okay_2_sociological_survey