Why sit on your hands and wait to hear from agents about your big manuscript, when you can be writing small pieces and stories in this interim period? And submitting at least one of them, say, to the New York Times?
Last Friday morning, as Ed was poking me with his elbow, to show me a youtube clip that he found relevant to our daily existence (sometimes he strikes gold, other times -- more like aluminum), I muttered empty uhuhs and yes dears and typed away at a piece that was eventually retitled "Soon To Be Grandma, Ready to Learn." And submitted it to Motherlode -- the section of the NYTimes that deals with families.
And boom! This boomer has spoken! It was accepted and it appears today. Read it by clicking here.
And do comment, if you want, over there, over here -- agree, disagree -- this is your chance to join the discussion on what it's like to plunge into something familiar, yet brand new. Hey, wasn't I a mother? Doesn't that give me credibility with my own daughter (possibly both daughters) as they become mothers too? My blunt answer is: no, it does not. Find out why.
In other news ...wait a minute, you want more news than that? Alright! I'm on a roll!
In case you have thought me to be stuck in the tried and true, like for instance, committed to posting photos every day of breakfast at the farmette table (and I am committed to it! for now!)...
...and of our four very free ranging chickens -- cheepers in my parlance -- on this cold cold day in Wisconsin...
(early morning, looking toward the barn, on my sleepy walk to open the coop)
(sunrise!)
(two of our brood)
...well yes, there is that, but I am also jumping (feels more like plunging: think falling off a cliff rather than crossing a great divide) into the next stage of technological acumen by embracing Twitter. From now on, I am as committed to daily tweets as I am to daily posts here, on Ocean. If you're a Twitter nut, follow me there @ NinaCamic. Too much, you say?
There is never too much writing in my life. Not now, not in my first year after retirement.
Last Friday morning, as Ed was poking me with his elbow, to show me a youtube clip that he found relevant to our daily existence (sometimes he strikes gold, other times -- more like aluminum), I muttered empty uhuhs and yes dears and typed away at a piece that was eventually retitled "Soon To Be Grandma, Ready to Learn." And submitted it to Motherlode -- the section of the NYTimes that deals with families.
And boom! This boomer has spoken! It was accepted and it appears today. Read it by clicking here.
And do comment, if you want, over there, over here -- agree, disagree -- this is your chance to join the discussion on what it's like to plunge into something familiar, yet brand new. Hey, wasn't I a mother? Doesn't that give me credibility with my own daughter (possibly both daughters) as they become mothers too? My blunt answer is: no, it does not. Find out why.
In other news ...wait a minute, you want more news than that? Alright! I'm on a roll!
In case you have thought me to be stuck in the tried and true, like for instance, committed to posting photos every day of breakfast at the farmette table (and I am committed to it! for now!)...
...and of our four very free ranging chickens -- cheepers in my parlance -- on this cold cold day in Wisconsin...
(early morning, looking toward the barn, on my sleepy walk to open the coop)
(sunrise!)
(two of our brood)
...well yes, there is that, but I am also jumping (feels more like plunging: think falling off a cliff rather than crossing a great divide) into the next stage of technological acumen by embracing Twitter. From now on, I am as committed to daily tweets as I am to daily posts here, on Ocean. If you're a Twitter nut, follow me there @ NinaCamic. Too much, you say?
There is never too much writing in my life. Not now, not in my first year after retirement.
Oh, Nina, this is so fabulous. Bravo! Loved the article. Your humor and wit and wisdom are a delight. I couldn't find the link to leave a comment. I'll check again. xoxo
ReplyDeleteThank you, Irene B!
DeleteCool. Can I drop your name when I'm at a big-time function now? Love the photos today. I think you should also be writing a travel column for them... one day soon!
ReplyDeleteYou can drop my name. Warning: it will get you nowhere. :)
DeleteCongratulations! Since I do not have children I can't really comment. Enjoyed your article.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful morning there captured by you.
Those mums are starting to look like another planet!
Sunshine. All we need is sunshine and the entire perspective on a day changes.
DeleteWOW! I am so thrilled for you! Running right over to the NYT to read it. Back tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations!
PS this will aid in marketing your book, I think.
Oh, I'm back already, so excited! I loved your article, your voice, your wit. This may be the start of a regular THANG.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you had your daughter's collaboration, her ok to talk about her very personal experience! I'm getting some practice already -- actually I've always been good about holding back on unnecessary and unasked-for advice, remember, I'm the mother of sons -- but Mary and Eric have a doula, and in my mind I scoff, but to them I just nod politely.
Good luck with that, Nina :). You have some strong opinions about...everything! So do I - but they're MY opinions and I see our young families as QUITE separate from me. After all, Eric has been a man on his own for ten years.
And a note... I sure do wish I knew if they were expecting a boy or a girl. It's hard to imagine this generic "baby". Well, we have less than a month to wait. Woot!
Yes, my girl gave a thumbs up before I accepted the offer of publication. The NYT editor asked about that as well.
DeleteAs for strong opinions -- I actually don't have them. I think I'm honest here. It comes from growing up at a time and place where opinions changed and were debunked constantly. It leaves an impression.
One last thing -- I am so sure, so darned positive that you will be a most wonderful grandmother!
Parenting magazines have loads of info on raising children from babyhood to toddlerhood to early adolescence and so on. The psychology of making the right decisions, offering the right discipline, challenging children to be their best, teaching them gratitude. it's all there. Congrats on the NYT article. We're all excited for you and your daughter.
DeleteThank you!
DeleteI suppose I should qualify: I am grounded in the belief that you should not spank kids and that their voice matters. I probably could come up with some more imperatives. But for the every day stuff of parenting: I would like to believe that I am very open to new ideas.
Excellent article. I really enjoyed it. Jean
ReplyDeleteSuper thanks!
DeleteI guess in the end images are more important to me than words though. I tried Twitter and didn't like it but love Instagram and use it like a visual diary. Jean
DeleteNina, I just love you. BK's response when I told him you were published in NYT: "She's so fascinating!" He's going to follow you on Twitter. I haven't joined yet, but have been thinking of sharing about the kids' antics/sayings there. We'll see. Congratulations again.
ReplyDeleteIt took me a long time to buy into Twitter and I have to admit, the NYT forced my hand because the contract really pushes you to use social media, but I watched tutorials on youtube (Ed made me) and suddenly it made sense! There's so much clever stuff on Twitter! Sharp and focused. You, of all people, should join the conversation!
DeleteOh, so that's why! Now I get it. Daughter Emery is on it also because her publisher encourages participation with social media. I don't like it! So short and disjointed. I do drop in once in a while - she's very funny! But most "tweets" (ugh) are responses to another tweeter (ugh) and they don't mean much to me. I just like to hear her "voice", very breezy, her professional, media voice.
DeleteIt will take me a while to speak in an okay twitter voice. But I see the virtue of the format. Unfortunately, like in all the social media, most of the stuff there is very ho hum, but still, to sharpen that skill is good practice for writing in general.
DeleteI've helped with lots of new babies in recent years and my mantra for both the new parents (and for me) is "you're the boss of this baby." Leave it to you to get published in the NYT on first try. Good for you!
ReplyDeleteWhen I was a mere 20 years old, I submitted a piece to the NYT Travel section on traveling to Iceland by myself on Thanksgiving. It did not get published (what a surprise!). But I do have to admit, therefore, that this is my second try! :)
DeleteWarm congratulations and best wishes, Nina.
ReplyDeleteI read your New York Times article, and enjoyed it and learned from it. A twist, though, I am an American mother of 2 grown-up "kids" born and raised in Japan. This mid-Westerner's advice and support may be especially irrelevant here if my kids ever do have children. In my case, a lot of observing and reflecting, and trying to help by doing things the ask me to do, may be my main role as Grandma.
I agree that it gets complicated with cultural differences. i already felt that as a parent. My reactions to stuff like TV and pop culture were definitely not mainstream. My kids wished then (and possibly now) that I would be more plugged into that stuff.
DeleteThank you for replying, Nina.
DeleteNina, heartiest congratulations! I think it is just wonderful that your article has been published.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kerry!
DeleteI agree with one of the commenters over at the NYT-- you're going to be a wonderful grandmother! My mom was really wonderful about my choice of birth, but maybe that's only because it matched her own! Twitter. Oh my. I don't know that I can make that trip. Maybe you can just post your twitter lines over here too? =)
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteTwitter is clever. If you ever play with it, find people who are adept at coming up with one liners and I promise you a few good laughs each day.(Not from me -- I'm still learning.) Besides, it's great writing practice for the busy young mom! :)