Carrie Link

"Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it."
Goethe

I finished my book! I know, I know, if you had a nickel for each time you've heard me say that, but this time it's different! It's really ready to send to agents this time.

There are probably 5 more, at least, "I finished my book!" blog posts in my future, God willing, but today I am happy because I did something I've always wanted to do, always knew I could do, but still struggled to do. Had it been easy, it probably would not feel so. damn. good.

I have been writing A book for 3 1/2 years, but I've only been writing THIS book since the fall. After living 45 years and writing about ALL of them, enough writing to fill a swimming pool, and enough tears, too, this book is only the last year of my life. There are a few flashbacks, but not a whole lot. Turns out? The past has obviously shaped me, but it's NOT me. Didn't know that when I started.

Now.

I.

Do.

The last time I thought I was "done" I sent it off to someone, and this came back to me:

"Your project is very compelling, and we were impressed with your candid descriptions what must be a difficult, yet important, story to tell. We were all affected by your strength to overcome the trauma that you experienced, and we admire your dedication to help others heal as well."

Nicest rejection letter ever.

I'm sure there are many more rejections coming my way, all part of the process, I've heard. If I've learned one thing through writing this book, it's that the process is as important, if not more so, than the product. And so I screw up my resolve to do this thing, to face the coming "No thank yous" with grace and dignity. It's not ME they will be rejecting (or, Lord willing, accepting) it's my writing. Again, not the same thing. Again, didn't know that when I started.

For the last few months I've been wearing pearls round the clock. Pearls in my ears, pearls round my wrist, three strands around my neck. The book has a pearl theme to it, each chapter starting with a quote containing pearls, not all of them wise, some of them just funny, or weird.

Just.

Like.

Me.