Comments on: thoughts on a year-long project (or, boring my readers for one last time)

By: patricia

patricia — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 05:56:48 +0000

Oh, thanks Melissa.

I never really talked about how this project was about my learning, and how important I think ongoing learning is for a homeschooling parent. It is fundamental. Thanks for recognizing that! You are one smart cookie, my internet friend, and your kids are so lucky that you’ve chosen to homeschool them.

Thanks for being so supportive, from my blogging beginnings.

By: melissa s.

melissa s. — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 02:35:05 +0000

I am so inspired by this project. It has introduced me to some new (to me) authors and has reminded me that making time for my own interests is fundamental to our homeschooling success. Congrats on reaching your goal. I was not bored one bit and I’m looking forward to following along on your next endeavor!

By: patricia

patricia — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 06:54:51 +0000

And I’ve appreciated your thoughtful, enthusiastic comments on the project all year! Feedback like yours really kept me going.

I’m so glad you read Manhood. Molly mentioned that Chabon himself reads the audiobook, and on hearing that I had to buy my own copy. It’s been so fabulous to hear him read his own essays, and to have another chance to admire and try to take apart how he does what he does. I found myself admiring the lines that I’d written about all over again; maybe you did like them because you recognized them. Then again, I’m guessing that our writing tastes are similar.

Aw shucks, thanks for the kind words on the book. We need to get chatting about it at the park–I need to bounce ideas around. You can be my beta book idea bouncer, k?

By: susan

susan — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 04:38:04 +0000

I enjoyed this project enormously and felt almost as if I had read every book after reading your posts. I did read Manhood for Amateurs after reading your post and my favorite parts have been the ones you picked out! Is it because I recognize them? Who knows. I have my fingers crossed on your book project for this year. I want your book!

By: patricia

patricia — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 22:34:47 +0000

I apologize for continually apologizing. I just feel compelled to acknowledge that I know these posts aren’t for everyone.

I’d love to hear more about how your book is going. If you have time, email me off-blog and let me know. What are some of the topics you’ve written about? (Inquiring minds need to know.)

By: Carrie Pomeroy

Carrie Pomeroy — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 22:03:26 +0000

Good luck with the chapter-a-month commitment! It sounds like a good way to spend 2010, and I think I can speak your other readers when I say please stop apologizing for boring us, because as far as I’m concerned, you never do! It is fabulous to hear about your creative endeavors and be inspired by them.

I’m still working on finishing out last year’s “finish a suck-ass draft of a book” plan. I think I can, I think I can, I think I can, I think I can. . .

By: patricia

patricia — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 15:39:58 +0000

You went back and read all of them? I ought to have some sort of reward for you!

Well, I hope that the writers you’ve discovered will be their own reward.

Thanks so much for reading, Sarah, and for taking the time to tell me that you have.

By: patricia

patricia — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 15:24:38 +0000

It’s still January, there’s still time!

May I suggest something a tad more fun than decluttering? Something for you. Maybe a project related to your bird drawings?

By: patricia

patricia — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 15:20:45 +0000

I have Lorrie Moore’s new novel sitting on my bedside table, just waiting to be cracked open. But after loving Michael Chabon’s Manhood for Amateurs so much, I’ve started reading Kavalier and Clay instead.

But the nonfiction never fails to tempt me away. There’s that book on right-brain thinking that I can’t get enough of. And the one about canning that I need to get back to the library. And that book on teaching writing that I just bought. Oh, and I need to start reading those travel guides…

By: sarah

sarah — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 11:37:30 +0000

I really enjoyed your year of essayists–I subscribed recently and went back to read all of them. Now I have a nice set of books to read this year. Good luck with your project!