I did wonder about making this a paid-only post, perhaps because it’s quite a personal one, but in the end I decided I wanted everyone to be able to read it.
Came in from a protest. My heart breaks for my country, my neighbors, our world.
I saw you had posted and began listening while whipping up a batch of granola. In the midst of it all, your story, your voice, your humor, your father somehow standing in my kitchen, shouting, and I laughed.
It made me think of my favorite quote: ‘Here is the world. Beautiful and terrible things will happen. Don't be afraid.’ Frederick Buechner
Nothing makes sense. Keep writing. I’ll be ordering a couple of books from your site.
I just read a good book about owls that I got from the op shop. The Owl Who Liked To Sit On Caesar, about a pet Tawny Owl. It was the late seventies, so the writer likes to throw in jokes about ladies, am I right lads, wink wink, but it is very comprehensive about Tawny Owls anyway
It might be long and it's a great read. I didn't realize how long until I went to scroll back to the top! A little like a long car journey with interesting people and good music playing quietly underneath the conversation. Loved it.
Sad that the publishers still haven't paid up. A shame for everyone.
To express your trepidations and then let go is a risk. However you don’t need to look over your shoulder. The mere fact that your joy and past experiences bring you back to a place that makes your creativity spark is huge. My late husband was a writer and my daughter is an artist and writes. I heard their stories and doubts and they kept moving forward. You seem quite measured in what happens and where you spend time. Why not repeat these journeys. The mountains always bring me joy and peace. Growing up in California was wonderful in the 60’s. My parents took us regularly to some of the best places to hike and camp. This feeds my inner child when I go to the mountains. Perhaps you need to feast on the places that deliver your imagination to the right place for the right time. Love the way you write and this is your authentic story. Pack up all of these experiences and keep going on this journey. Unfinished chapters await!
The second half of that second last paragraph sounds positive; best of luck.
Interesting to read about Boyd's process too - I ended up writing my last short piece back-to-front, though it was far less premeditated. More that, in a series of linked short stories, I knew what happened, so wrote that first, then thought: "Why and how the hell did THAT happen?". Then began the voyage of discovery, almost eavesdropping on the two other characters to see what they said and did. I feel very slightly less bonkers about that sequence now.
Have you read Boyd’s recent novel The Romantic? It features a character whose publisher does not pay him and gets what you might consider are his just deserts.
Unbound appear to have shit in their own nest; what if you published / read a chapter weekly of your book on substack just for paying subscribers (to access the income without the print costs)? Like Charlie Dickens used to.
I see Amazon have your books on kindle but they turned out to be arseholes too so I'm boycotting them.
Thanks Alan. I have considered this, and I’ll definitely at least be posting some excerpts. I’m hoping to have more news about when the book will be published, and who by, very soon.
What a great piece,Tom...I loved this so much.Very cool pictures as well;I've always liked old,decaying,abandoned things.I always enjoy your stories...funny,sometimes sad,always interesting.I'm so sorry to hear about your beloved Tabs,poor sweetheart.Thank you for sharing with us...
I always enjoy your essays, none more than these personal ones. Sounds like the relief of liberation from unbound (absolutely no resonance in that name, surely) is doing you good. And spring is coming! Can’t wait to get my hands on the new novel!
I feel lucky when someone shares their personal story. With pictures. Gets me out of my own personal story--"and now for something completely different." I like that you say you KNOW you will write what you know. I don't know how to write what I don't know. I don't know.
Thanks for your post today. Enjoyed you reading it. Finished reading "Help the Witch" and thought the story "Ghost House" from your substack would be in it. Where can I find that story? Also read "Close Encounters of the Furred Kind" afterwards and loved the history of your fabulous cats remembering my last cat, Pascal. Keep writing, Tom. You have such a gift.
Came in from a protest. My heart breaks for my country, my neighbors, our world.
I saw you had posted and began listening while whipping up a batch of granola. In the midst of it all, your story, your voice, your humor, your father somehow standing in my kitchen, shouting, and I laughed.
It made me think of my favorite quote: ‘Here is the world. Beautiful and terrible things will happen. Don't be afraid.’ Frederick Buechner
Nothing makes sense. Keep writing. I’ll be ordering a couple of books from your site.
Wonderfully, joyfully melancholic writing. Have you ever described yourself as a romantic realist? I have.
Thanks Steve. I haven’t! But I’m not against it.
I'm always up for more owls, too.
I just read a good book about owls that I got from the op shop. The Owl Who Liked To Sit On Caesar, about a pet Tawny Owl. It was the late seventies, so the writer likes to throw in jokes about ladies, am I right lads, wink wink, but it is very comprehensive about Tawny Owls anyway
Thanks. So honest, compelling and brave. Yet with just the right leavening to make me smile. You are a true artist.
Too kind, thank you. P.S. I also owe you an email about books. They should be here next week!
It might be long and it's a great read. I didn't realize how long until I went to scroll back to the top! A little like a long car journey with interesting people and good music playing quietly underneath the conversation. Loved it.
Sad that the publishers still haven't paid up. A shame for everyone.
Thank you, Simon!
To express your trepidations and then let go is a risk. However you don’t need to look over your shoulder. The mere fact that your joy and past experiences bring you back to a place that makes your creativity spark is huge. My late husband was a writer and my daughter is an artist and writes. I heard their stories and doubts and they kept moving forward. You seem quite measured in what happens and where you spend time. Why not repeat these journeys. The mountains always bring me joy and peace. Growing up in California was wonderful in the 60’s. My parents took us regularly to some of the best places to hike and camp. This feeds my inner child when I go to the mountains. Perhaps you need to feast on the places that deliver your imagination to the right place for the right time. Love the way you write and this is your authentic story. Pack up all of these experiences and keep going on this journey. Unfinished chapters await!
The second half of that second last paragraph sounds positive; best of luck.
Interesting to read about Boyd's process too - I ended up writing my last short piece back-to-front, though it was far less premeditated. More that, in a series of linked short stories, I knew what happened, so wrote that first, then thought: "Why and how the hell did THAT happen?". Then began the voyage of discovery, almost eavesdropping on the two other characters to see what they said and did. I feel very slightly less bonkers about that sequence now.
Have you read Boyd’s recent novel The Romantic? It features a character whose publisher does not pay him and gets what you might consider are his just deserts.
What a strange coincidence! I haven’t yet got to that one but I definitely will and I’m now very intrigued.
I just love reading what you write, because it makes me think. Thank you, Tom.
Thanks Caroline!
Thanks Tom, well read and brilliantly written.
Unbound appear to have shit in their own nest; what if you published / read a chapter weekly of your book on substack just for paying subscribers (to access the income without the print costs)? Like Charlie Dickens used to.
I see Amazon have your books on kindle but they turned out to be arseholes too so I'm boycotting them.
Hoping whatever you decide works for you.
Thanks Alan. I have considered this, and I’ll definitely at least be posting some excerpts. I’m hoping to have more news about when the book will be published, and who by, very soon.
What a great piece,Tom...I loved this so much.Very cool pictures as well;I've always liked old,decaying,abandoned things.I always enjoy your stories...funny,sometimes sad,always interesting.I'm so sorry to hear about your beloved Tabs,poor sweetheart.Thank you for sharing with us...
I always enjoy your essays, none more than these personal ones. Sounds like the relief of liberation from unbound (absolutely no resonance in that name, surely) is doing you good. And spring is coming! Can’t wait to get my hands on the new novel!
Thanks Wendy!
Wonderful piece ☺️
Thanks Sarah!
I feel lucky when someone shares their personal story. With pictures. Gets me out of my own personal story--"and now for something completely different." I like that you say you KNOW you will write what you know. I don't know how to write what I don't know. I don't know.
Nice one Tom ... I enjoyed that. Very well written. Cheers
Thank you!
Thanks for your post today. Enjoyed you reading it. Finished reading "Help the Witch" and thought the story "Ghost House" from your substack would be in it. Where can I find that story? Also read "Close Encounters of the Furred Kind" afterwards and loved the history of your fabulous cats remembering my last cat, Pascal. Keep writing, Tom. You have such a gift.