Comments on: Weekly Wrap: Just Our Luck

By: Susan Henderson

Susan Henderson — Mon, 29 Jan 2007 12:17:21 +0000

Aurelio - Noooo! Not the chicken noodle soup song again!

MOM - xxoo (I love my mom.)

By: MOM

MOM — Sun, 28 Jan 2007 00:58:57 +0000

I’m reminded of the Tibetan Buddhists’ slogan “Abandon any hope of fruition”–and just continue your dedication to the process. This has been very helpful in my life (and even has lead to fruition) :) MOM

By: Aurelio

Aurelio — Sat, 27 Jan 2007 20:16:54 +0000

Lance, my nephew’s weird video is the reason why Susan was hearing a song in her head about Chicken Noodle Soup (with a soda on the side):

Chicken Noodle Soup

By: Susan Henderson

Susan Henderson — Sat, 27 Jan 2007 16:32:17 +0000

Gail - This is why you are my adopted sister. xo

By: Gail Siegel

Gail Siegel — Sat, 27 Jan 2007 14:48:05 +0000

Susan, I do believe you’ve worked harder than most people, that your writing is fabulous (I’ve had the privilege of reading your unpublished work, and feeling awestruck) and that only a run of bad luck has kept you off the shelves. Even as your kindnesses have paved a golden path for others. I do hope that this is your year, even if it means breaking down and eating Lucky Charms each day for breakfast. Kisses to you.

By: Susan Henderson

Susan Henderson — Fri, 26 Jan 2007 20:48:59 +0000

Maria - You are awesome, and thank you.

I really appreciate the support, everyone, I really do in ways you can’t possibly know. But I just want to be clear, I wasn’t meaning to post a sob story. There’s not a single writer I know, published or unpublished, who hasn’t walked one path or another up this steep mountain toward publication. I think artists, musicians, actors and directors know this feeling, too - just that, if we worked this hard in any other field, we’d have much to show for it. In this field, there’s no such sense of entitlement. In fact, being artists, we’re much more likely to believe that we suck than the system sucks. It’s just the way it is, and I think it’s important to acknowledge it now and then - how hard it is to get a foot-hold, even for those who are farther up the mountain.

Robin - I like that: Scamp. I’m partial to the scruff, too. And the reading glasses, though they’re off, apparently, when he’s typing.

By: Robin Slick

Robin Slick — Fri, 26 Jan 2007 19:36:15 +0000

Susan, I have been looking at that photo of Neil Gaiman all day, just to stay sane.

I’m in that horrible waiting mode - you have no idea how many things I have going on which are causing me to “sit by the phone”. (More like lurk at the computer, but whatever)

So yeah, I figured while I’m here waiting and driving myself insane, that photo of Neil is as good as any scenery, glass of wine, etc. I’ve ever experienced. But you know, he realizes full well what effect that pic has on his female fans. He’s a brilliant businessman and a huge scamp. Now typically, that would make me like him less…the businessman thing, that is…but the fact that he’s a scamp cancels the other out.

Sigh…

I say we start a Petition. “HEY NEIL DON’T SHAVE THE BEARD”

By: Maria Headley

Maria Headley — Fri, 26 Jan 2007 18:12:37 +0000

Adding a voice to the certainty that this is the year for you, Susan! Your dashed-off piece at the Memoirists reading the other night was profoundly funny and a sweet (as in SWEEEEEEEEEET) piece of writing - anyone who can do that on a notecard, in a bar, surrounded by chatter and clatter is someone whose work I want to read - and I know I’m going to get the chance in the very near future. I’m sending some luck toward you. My feeling about this, your 20 years of the everything of being a writer minus the satisfaction of the book deal - and everything else, for that matter - is that whatever the struggle is, it prepares you, makes you the person, who can actually take advantage of the good when it comes. Sometimes I bitch to myself about things taking too long, about people not behaving the way I want them to, in the publishing world and elsewhere, but ultimately, if everything had always worked the way I’d wanted it to, I’d be a completely different person, and hell, I like the person I am. I like the person you are too. Your complexity, your struggle, your generousity of self will only enrich your career - and when that book hits the shelves, I’m planning to be leaping in the air and toasting you with a big bottle of champagne.

By: Susan Henderson

Susan Henderson — Fri, 26 Jan 2007 18:07:46 +0000

mattilda - It’s good to have you here.

Lance - You’re sweet. I’m afraid the song I have in my head is about chicken soup, and it’s Aurelio’s fault.

Julie - Thank you. And I’m glad good things are happening for you.

Lori - You said it perfectly!

Lauren - What a sweetheart.

Tish - Stop, you’re making me cry.

*Joe* - Ha ha ha! That’s hysterical!

Carolyn - What a wonderful thing when your friends believe in you. I’m very touched.

Robin - Somehow everything in the world is just fine when you click here: http://www.neilgaiman.com/journal/2007/01/mostly-pictures.html

Aurelio - The fondness goes both ways. I was never a runner, but I remember very much when - in the middle of a regatta - the coxswain would yell, “You’re half way!” And most of us, by then, were on the verge of passing out or throwing up in the boat, and I remember that feeling of “What the fuck? I thought we were near the finish line?!”

You all are wonderful, by the way.

By: Aurelio

Aurelio — Fri, 26 Jan 2007 17:47:52 +0000

Susan, I’m not sure what to add to these already excellent comments, but because I have developed such a personal fondness for you and appreciation of this site, I feel required to share a thought or two.

I cannot tell you why, but the biz part of writing seems to be a marathon rather than a sprint. It means taking the hills when you don’t know if you can make another one, choking down goo instead of real food, feeling the burn and pressing on.

And constantly asking yourself in your head, “Am I there yet?”

You have a huge group passing you water and cheering you on. Just keep heading for the tape.