The book we're working on is really complicated, and kind of driving everyone crazy, including us and (though they've been too polite to say so) I think probably all the people at the publishing house who are working on it, too. So the other day he and I were discussing the situation and he said,
"Every book I do brings me elation and pain."
Then he gave this little laugh he has and added,
"We're in the pain part now."
He went on to say that you can't have one without the other,and it's all part of the process of creating something new. If you try to make it easy, if you try to avoid the pain, you'll just keep doing the same old (safe) things -- and you won't grow as an artist. Or get to the elation, either.
Next time I'm tempted to take the easy way out on a book, I'm going to take a deep breath and remember that -- and also remember, it's only pain, one part of the path to elation.
On a less lofty note--last weekend we had what we all agreed was our prettiest table ever - and Grace's best butter cream icing ever, too:
Thank you Blue Rose Girls for a really happy birthday!
