“A writer finds peace in silence, speaking only to the page, yet the words survive only by stepping into the noise of the world to be seen, heard, and held by others.”
― Lawrence Nault
I have found a great deal of peace in the silent world of writing, “speaking only to the page.” First as an insecure and introverted girl, and later as an adult, writing has provided a safe place for me. A place of comfort and security, and a place to grow.
In my experience the act of writing places the writer in a sacred space both inside and outside of the constraints of normal consciousness. It’s also a place of discovery and healing. Writing has probably saved me from a thousand unknown terrible fates by keeping me grounded, probing, perceptive, and awake. At least it feels that way. Writing has awakened in me a million possibilities, become my friend, my coach, my inward eye. Writing has shaped my existence.
And so, it with great trepidation that I send my writing into the world. The tension between the safety of my personal writing bubble and the “noise of the world” is immense. Sending your manuscript out has been compared to sending your child to school for the first time (“Sending a book out into the world is a lot like sending your child to the first day of kindergarten. You hope the other kids play nice and that she makes friends”—Mitchell Zuckoff), and having a child has been compared to giving your heart away (“Making the decision to have a child – it is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body” ―Elizabeth Stone). These are apt descriptions of my state of mind as I wait to hear from my publisher.
The contract has been signed, and the editor will soon be digging into my manuscript. This stage feels surreal after a lifetime of reading, writing, studying and dreaming. And years of querying agents and publishers. There’s not much to tell yet, but it looks as though there will be a book with my name on it coming out at some undetermined date in the future. I’m guessing it will be many months from now. I don’t even know if the title I’ve chosen will be used. I can say this, it is a World War II homefront historical fiction novel. It’s set in Lake Arrowhead, California, USA. The protagonist is named Mary Miller. And there are bears.
Write what is in your heart. With love.
LakeArrowheadLadyWriter 
Oh, Lori! Those last four sentences! I know everything I need to know to be entirely hooked! So happy for you. Congratulations…I cannot wait to read!
Xo! 😉❤️😉
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Thank you, Vicki! You are so wonderful, and you are always so good at making others feel wonderful, too! xxxooo Sending big love your way!
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Awww! Excited for you…woohoo! All my love! 😉❤️😉
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😘🤗😘
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Woo hoo! I’m so happy for you, Lori. Writing can be such a solitary endeavor. For many of us, it’s not about making money (though who’s going to complain about that?), but the sense that our words mean something to others. From everything I’ve read, it seems the process can be extremely long. I’ve often read the advice, as I’m sure you probably have too, to keep writing in the interim because the waiting can be terribly frustrating. Keep me in mind when you get further down the road and are looking for reviews and/or some blog publicity.
One of the people in my critique group is writing a memoir about how she gave up teaching to become a park ranger. Her early chapters are filled with bear stories.
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Oh, Pete! Thanks so much! I would love to have you review and share about it when the time comes! I bet your friend’s memoir about becoming a park ranger is super interesting. I was entranced by the bears I encountered when I lived in Lake Arrowhead and somehow they found their way into my story! Thanks for being such a good friend. ✍️💞
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Goosebumps! I’m so looking forward to the birth of your first novel, Lori!
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Awww! Thank you, Joy! I really appreciate you! xxxooo
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Congratulations on your upcoming book publication!
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Thank you so much! I’m having a hard time believing it’s real! 🤭 I appreciate your kind wishes.
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i will be checking in and waiting for news! congratulations Lori!Mike
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You are so kind, Mike! Thank you! I am so grateful for your interest. 📚✍️❤️
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Good luck
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Thanks so much, David! I really appreciate it! 🥰
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Congratulations!!!
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Thank you, Kathy!💞🤭💞
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A huge congratulations, Lori!! It must be a great feeling to know that you are one step closer to getting your book published and out into the public!!! I am so happy for you!! It sounds so exciting, and the subject matter of your book sounds so intriguing!! Can’t wait to see it in print!!
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Thank you, Anita! I didn’t know if this day would ever come, and I still don’t really believe it! I appreciate your support!💞💞💞
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“I have found a great deal of peace in the silent world of writing” – that is wonderful. Also, congratulations on your forthcoming book. That is a great achievement, whether it gets published by your publisher or not.
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You are so kind to say so, Thomas. I really appreciate you! Thank you!🤗
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A thoughtful literary reflection that explores the tension between solitude and visibility, revealing how a writer’s quiet creativity ultimately seeks connection through sharing stories with the world. ✍️📚✨
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Thank you, Safia!
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congratulations!
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Thank you, Emma! I appreciate it!🤗
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Hi Lori
I wrote all my books in the quiet English or Scandinavian countryside. I always looked for a place to work that was absolutely quiet. Your first picture reminds me of a summer house I had in Northern Sweden.
Good luck with your writing
Klausbernd 🙂
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Thank you so much, Klausbernd. A summer house in Northern Sweden sounds like a heavenly place to write! ✍️💞
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Yes, it was. But as you have to go via mainland Europe nowadays, it’s too complicated to go to Sweden.
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Sadly, I have never been to Sweden though my maternal grandfather was born there. I often wish I had been able to meet him and learn about his homeland. He died long before I was born.
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Hi Lori
For us, Sweden was a country we loved to live. And it’s not only the country, but also the people. We were partly brought up in Sweden and speak Swedish, which helps.
The Fab Four of Cley
🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
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We especially liked the real winters there.
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Ah! I really understand that. I have lived in different parts of the US and the first requirement is there must be 4 distinct seasons. I am now in one of the coldest, snowiest areas—it’s called the Upper Peninsula of Michigan—the U.P., and the people here call themselves Yoopers!😂
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Hi Lori
We suppose we have never been in this part of the US. Sounds interesting. We worked for many years in Montreal and had a place in Vermont that we loved. We loved Vermont and Maine best in the US.
Have a great time with the Yoopers
The Fab Four of Cley
🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
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Thank you Fab Four!🤓
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This is a big achievement. Congrats.
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Thanks so much! It is still so new (and nothing has happened yet) that I don’t really believe it. So many years of writing … 🤭
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Good luck with the production process and the final book in hand, Lori. May it bring you great joy.
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Thank you, Mary! I am prepared to wait as I know it’s a long process. It’s already been many years getting to this point. I most want to, as you so aptly put it, hold the final book in hand. 📚💞 Thanks so much!
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Congratulations! What an accomplishment to have a book published. I’m so excited for you! I hope you keep us up to date on the process and the steps along the way.
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Thank you E.A.! You are wonderful! I think I will write about the process as time goes on. Thank you for caring! 🤗❤️🤗
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Congratulations, Lori. A World War II historical fiction novel sounds interesting. You got my attention, my friend.
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I’m so glad it sounds interesting to you Edward! Your opinion matters! Thank you for your kind wishes!🥰
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You’re very welcome, Lori. I’m probably due for a military historical fiction book because I can’t remember the last time I read one. Probably Once an Eagle.
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I’ve read relatively few books that contain military history or battlefield scenes, Edward, or that focus on those events specifically, but being a lover of historical fiction brings me often very close. One of my favorite historical fiction novels, Atonement, is like that.
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I saw the movie and it was pretty good. Well, I guess I’ll have to wait until your novel is close to publication or out to know more. 😀
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🤗
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I love your beautiful penmanship Lori and giving us a glimmer into your heart, Thank you so much. Writing sustains me as well and now I sit with little time, but it will come again. How exciting to publish a book. That’s just awesome. I’ll stay posted💕
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You are so sweet, Cindy! Thank you! I am lucky to have found your blog. 📚✍️📚💞 I appreciate you!
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Congratulations, Lori! This is super exciting, an accomplishment, an achievement, something many writers only dream of happening. I look forward to learning more and then some day reading your book. I’m incredibly happy for you, my friend!
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Thank you so much, Audrey! You are so kind and thoughtful. 💞💞💞 I am very grateful for your support. It means a great deal to me. xxxooo
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Huzzah! Congratulations! Be sure to let us know when it’s available
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Thank you, JeanMarie! I will! I am sure it will take some time! 📚🥰
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How wonderful! Congratulations!
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Thank you so very much, Dawn. I appreciate it! 🥰
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You have excellent penmanship, by the way!
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Awww, shucks! 🤭 Thank you!!!
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It’s got to be a good book if there are bears in it!
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😂 I do have a fondness for bears, Marie!
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Congratulations, Lori! This is exciting news. I hope the editorial process goes well and I look forward to hearing more about the book!
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Thank you, David! That’s so nice of you to say. I really appreciate it!💞
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Congratulations, Lori! I’m new here, but so excited for you!
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Thank you! You are so kind! I’m glad we found each other!
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OMG – this is so awesome, Lori!! Congratulations and I can’t wait to hear more as you release the details!!
And I love, “Writing has probably saved me from a thousand unknown terrible fates by keeping me grounded, probing, perceptive, and awake.” Spot on and so true!
I’m so excited for you, my friend!
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Thank you, Wynne! I am sort of in shock I think. I don’t know what to do or say and I feel like I’m about 5 years old. 🤭 I appreciate you so very much! If you have any advice I would live to hear it! You are wonderful! Thanks again! 🤗💞🤗
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Sounds like a great read.
Have a fabulous day and week. ♥
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Thank you so much, Sandee! You have a fabulous day and week as well! 🥰
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