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Mary Gottschalk, Carol Bodensteiner, and Me
I love all of my friends and enjoy spending time with them no matter who they are or what they do for work. But I especially love being in the company of writers. Last week I had the privilege of spending time with two writers with whom I have communicated on the internet but had never met in person. I’ve read at least one of the books they’ve each written and in that reading found myself connected with them through their use of the written word.
On their way to a writer’ retreat on Chincoteague from Iowa, they honored me with a two night visit. It was enough time for me to validate that intuitive voice that told me, “You’d like these women.” And I did. Over glasses of wine, good food, and lots of writing talk I found myself enjoying every minute. Although I was unable to go with them on a tour of Monticello, I did join them for a fascinating historical tour of the University of Virginia and how Thomas Jefferson, with difficulty, put together what is today the University of Virginia.
I’ve read one of each of their books, both novels, and now I have their memoirs to help me get to know them even better. Mary Gottschalk’s, A Fitting Place, is the story of a woman recently deserted by her husband, who is looking for a
relationship to fill in the empty hole that her husband has left in her life. That this relationship is with another woman, speaks of the complications that life brings when we don’t take the time to get to know ourselves and what we want and need to live an authentic life.
Carol Bodensteiner’s novel, Go Away Home, is the story of young woman who has grown up on a farm in Iowa in the early 1900’s, as she begins to define herself and her need to see and experience living in a wider world of employment and self discovery. Both books are delightful reads, and I look forward to reading Mary’s memoir, Sailing Down the Moonbeam, about her trip sailing halfway around the world, and Carol’s, Growing Up Country: Memories of an Iowa Farm Girl. If you are looking for great reads, pick up their books and get to know them for yourselves through their written words. You are in for a treat.
I will be taking some time off to whittle away my long list of Have To’s for the next ten or so days. I will be back on April 1st, with my newsletter which will include an excerpt from my soon to be published memoir. And I will be back here on my blog on April 5th.
I hope you are enjoying the spring as much as I am. As I walk among the newly blooming shrubs and trees, I see the promises of new life that this season brings to us.
What fun! So glad you all three had the opportunity of meeting one another.
Good luck with the launching of your book… so exciting!
Saloma,
Yes it was loads of fun and I hope one day we’ll get a chance to meet in person! And thanks for your best wishes!
Generous soul that you are, you found a way to reflect on your time with writer friends while promoting their work. I’m so glad I have met Mary and Carol too here on Chincoteague Island. We’ll finish up this visit on the way to the airport soon, where Mary and I serendipitously have flights that take off at similar times.
Here’s to our sorority of writer friends!
Thanks Marian. I love the way the sorority unfolds and just wish I could have been there in Chincoteague with all of you. WE’ll have to figure out a “next time.”
fun, Fun, FUN — your post shouts out FUN with other writers. Please note that I am pea pod GREEEEEEEN with envy.
I’m right (write) behind you on the long list of things that MUST be done well, and without delay, during the pre-publication phase. I trust I’ll hear your voice on the author call this coming Friday, March 25th.
Yes, I will be on the call on Friday, Laurie! Yes there is so much to do and at the moment I’m feeling a bit of burnout from rereading the blooming book so much! But this too shall pass!
I was thrilled to meet Mary and Carol (and Marian and Janet) at the writing retreat.
I hope to meet you someday, too!
Me too, Merril. We’ll have to figure out a way to get together once a year for a retreat. Maybe we can find a place that isn’t too expensive and we could all split the cost. !
I am claiming my spot in the sorority and also cheering all of you for books past and present.
Thinking of you as you move toward the launch of your memoir. So glad you had time with Carol and Mary also. We had a blast also.
Onward!
Thanks so much, Shirley. The process is intense at the moment with several rereads one on top of the other. But this too shall pass.
What a lovely meeting, Joan! I was fortunate to meet Mary and Carol in Iowa a few years ago. Isn’t wonderful to forge such special connections with people we meet online? The best part for me has been feeling like we knew each other all along. I agree with Shirley, I’m claiming my spot in this sorority of esteemed writer friends. 🙂
Kathy, Even though we weren’t there this year, we are members! I do love meeting my internet friends in person and discovering how much we have in common with our writing!
Good morning Joan. I’m struck by your commitment to your sanity and your ability to make choices that work for you. Good for you! I’ll eagerly await your words to us on April 5th.
Here’s to the women in our lives. May they continue to nurture and support us. And make us laugh
Thanks so much Janet. I’m basically burned out and need to be out of my studio of a bit in order to recover. It feels good to do simple things like getting caught up on laundry, pulling a few weeds, and having time for long walks.
Yes, here’s to the women in our lives and to uncontrollable laughter! I love them all!
Joan … what a lovely portrait of our visit and sharing of the writerly experience … except that your artistic soul includes so much more than writing … I will forever see the your painting that marks the center of the landing of the stairs to your second floor … it wrung my heart every time I walked by.
You were a glorious host … thanks beyond measure.
Oh my goodness, Mary, Thank you! I must add to your wonderful words to say that you and Carol were glorious guests! I hope to get back to my visual art before too long. Maybe next time you visit, you’ll see some new things on my walls to ponder!
This is so fun listening in on your conversation, Mary and Joan. I’ve been toying the past few days with my upcoming post for the retreat week, and it’s turning into a treatise on cultural differences of being guest/host — roles and responsibilities. I hope you both will say more in the comment section of my Wednesday blog. 🙂
Janet, I’m looking forward to reading it and will definitely comment should you get my thoughts cooking!!