Self-Unreliance
Sometimes you can't make it on your own.
When I was a kid, one of my top favorite books was My Side of the Mountain, by Jean Craighead George. I loved to imagine myself going out into the wilderness like 12-year-old Sam Gribley: making friends with animals, quietly journaling about my experiences, and living off edible plants. (One of my other favorite childhood books was Identifying and Harvesting Edible and Medicinal Plants in Wild (And Not So Wild) Places, by “Wildman” Steve Brill. That title in itself tells you a lot about me!).
In the book, Sam’s chief source of inspiration is the real-life author Henry David Thoreau, who chronicled his “living off the land” experiences in Walden Pond. Thoreau longed to be a true “original,” in harmony with nature and dependent on no one—the incarnation of the ideal man outlined in his friend Ralph Waldo Emerson’s famous essay, “Self-Reliance.”
As an adult, I visited Concord, Massachusetts—an absolute dream for a history buff and booklover! I saw Emerson’s home, toured Orchard House (where Little Women author Louisa May Alcott grew up), stayed in a 300-year-old cottage—and walked around Walden Pond. It was a beautiful, peaceful place. Thoreau’s famous words, engraved on a signpost, still resounded in my heart as deeply as when I read them as a child:
However, there were several things about Walden Pond that surprised me. First, it was a lot smaller than I’d imagined. Second, it was only a brief distance from the streets of Concord. And third, I learned that Thoreau wasn’t really all on his own during his year in the woods. He had friends who traveled out to his cabin to visit and bring supplies. It reminded me of the scene in Nacho Libre where we’re shown Jack Black living in self-exile out in the desert, eating cacti and bugs, apparently miles away from civilization . . . until the camera shifts and we see a lineup of village children watching him from the nearby roadside and waving vigorously.
Moral of the story? Despite our very real human need for quiet spaces and the beauty of nature, and despite the satisfaction of being able to do stuff on our own, no one is able to truly thrive in isolation. We need each other. I’ve been reminded of this fact repeatedly over the last few weeks: as my husband and I renovate our new house (sometimes it’s okay to call in the professionals!), at school events (I’m not in this alone!), at book conferences and festivals (writers need readers—and one another!), and in gatherings with friends (thank goodness for fellow comrades on this twisty journey of life!).
I re-read My Side of the Mountain a couple of years ago. I still love that book. But it was also good to remind myself that I’m not meant to go it alone!
Cover Reveal!
Friends, I’m so excited to finally be able to share the cover of Heart of Stone with you! The exquisite artwork is by Amy Grimes. This historical fantasy sequel to The Carver and the Queen releases August 4 from Owl’s Nest Publishers. Pre-orders will open soon—more details on that in next month’s newsletter!
Here’s the back cover description:
Ever since her father’s mysterious death six years ago on Serpent Hill, Lilia Stepanovna has struggled to help her family make ends meet. So when an old woman claiming to be her great aunt arrives and offers to show her the way to hidden treasure, Lilia leaps at the opportunity. Curious magic soon entwines her, though, and Lilia finds herself trapped by a sorcerer’s devious plot to seize the Russian empire.
Dmitri always expected to follow in his parents’ footsteps as a stonecarver, until a terrible accident crushed both his hands and his dreams. When his best friend, Lilia, is swept off to Petersburg under suspicious circumstances, Dmitri embarks on a perilous journey to save the girl he loves—and to stop the dark powers that are working through her to take over all of Russia.
I can’t wait for you to get to read it!
Other Author News
I’ve wrapped up the copyedit rounds with Heart of Stone! Now it’s on to proofreading. This is the final round of edits, in which a team of proofreaders (and me) try to make sure every detail of grammar and punctuation is correct, polished, and consistent. One step closer to release day on August 4!
In mid-April, I enjoyed gathering with many book lovers and fellow authors at the Impact Book Festival in Fultondale, Alabama. I always meet such fascinating, wonderful people at these events!
I also led a book discussion of The Carver and the Queen this month for a local Girl Scout troop! It was delight to meet these Scouts, answer their insightful questions, and talk through my publisher’s wonderful book discussion guide for Carver together. I also led them in a fun creative writing exercise. I love meeting with groups like this! If you’re interested in an author visit, writing workshop, or book discussion for your school, book club, Scout troop, or local library, please let me know!
Endnotes
Stories are fire, her mother had said. They give warmth and light. But more than that, they hold power. Power to create. Power to destroy.
—from The Carver and the Queen
I love how my flame azalea seems to set the whole garden ablaze when it blooms in early April. I want my stories—and my life—to be like that . . . bringing light and warmth and beauty to the world!
Beautiful cover for your forthcoming book! Congratulations!!!
Good reminders! And congrats on the beautiful cover and making it through your round of edits!