Monday, May 14, 2007

Tendering: a book event, a meaning, a transition

tomorrow I fly to Chicago. If any of you are near the Wheaton, IL Borders at 7:00 PM I hope you'll look for me. It could be lonely if no one comes. That is one of the unknown's we writers live with though. Carolyn See who wrote Making the Literary Life says you should always travel with an entourage and bring your friends and relatives to signings. My publicist will be with me but I suspect I'll have to go around and herd people standing in the stacks and ask them if they're in that select group of millions who have never heard of my work!
Regionally, my books do well so yesterday at the Aurora museum, we had close to 100 attend. They were good sports since we held the event outside and it was in the 50s and chilly. But people brought their mom's for Mother's Day as a surprise to come hear me speak and several said they need an annual "Jane fix" so keep track of my schedule. It's great.
So if it's lonely in Chicago I'll think of all those people who braved the chill with me and stood in line to get books signed.
There has also been a nice response to people who have read my interview at www.faithfulreader.com. I hope you'll take the time to read it. Cindy Crosby was the interviewer and she asked great questions. On top of that, she did a review that I think I'll take with me to Chicago so when I'm there by myself I can be reminded that someone who likes books and reads many of them found A Tendering in the Storm worthy of her time.
One last little note: I chose the title with tendering in it because a tender is a small ship that goes between a larger ship and land, a transition, if you will. My character was in a transition in her life. I also liked the meaning of something fragile being tender and my character was fragile from grief and disappointment. How she chose to deal with that created additional problems for her. Then last week I was reading the glossary of a history of fabric book and there I found the word tendering again. It means the shattering of a fabric when exposed to toxic chemicals. It was perfect! My character was exposed to toxic relationships and it did shatter her. But she came through and it was a transitional time for her just as we have those transitional times in our lives. I took finding that meaning as a small gift from the universe.
Hope your day goes well. Thanks for stopping by. Jane

3 comments:

Lisa K. said...

Jane,
The first book I ever read of yours was "Love to Water My Soul" which I just happened to come across at my library. I loved the title and it drew me in. I think at that point of my life I felt like that was what I needed, love to water my soul. I wasn't disappointed. It reminded me of Willa Cathers' My Antonia. Your writing is as beautiful as poetry...And I have read as many of your books as I can get ahold of including your autobiographical, Homestead. I really like the title of your newest book, A Tendering in the Storm, and look forward to reading it.

Maggie Brendan said...

Jane, I first saw your book, A Name of Her Own, in Crossing. I ordered it and it's on my bookshelf to be read soon. I love the West and the history. I have written my first historical romance but have not had it published. It has been written into a screenplay and a couple of producers have requested it. Anyway, just wanted to say hello and can't wait to read your book.

Jane said...

Thanks, Lisa. Love to Water My Soul was used in a HIgh school English class here in Oregon and I'd receive questions and comments from students. It was a joy to see how the story touched them, gave them encouragement for their own journeys. Asiam remains a strong character in my life and she was my husband's great grandmother reminding me again of the power of family stories. Thanks for visiting the blog. Jane