One of the nice things (for me!) of keeping this LiveJournal is that I can go back and see what I’ve said about a novel as I’ve/we’ve worked on it, and what I’ve said about all the novels as each completed work was sent to the editor, was returned as galleys, and then was released and the first reviews and e-mails began coming in. This helps me remember that the various thrills and terrors are normal and they, too, shall pass.
For WHEN YOU DON’T SEE ME in particular, it’s lovely to go back and remember how immersed I was in things (like the Pet Shop Boys) and how I grew to understand and love a narrator that I initially had my doubts about co-creating. It’s not so lovely to remember how the research for this novel hurt, really hurt, but at least I can know that I’m not in that place anymore, which is a relief.
In this calm period before the novel goes out to the world, whereupon we’ll receive some praise for things we never expected people to notice, and some criticism for things that make me wish people had to say it to my face, I feel very fortunate that I’ve read one positive pre-publication review and that some extremely special readers have offered comments that helped me believe that even though, once again, we may lose a reader or two because “this is not like the other Beck books” (i.e., please write boy-meets-boy-chases-boy-wins-boy over and over), most of the people who’ve been on this journey with us will be glad to be on the road again… And hopefully, we’ll meet some new travelers along the way.
Thank you, Tim and Jim, for that magic thing you do. No birth is without pain, but this is one novel that was served by having its creators take anything that hurt and translate it into a story. I’m so proud to know we did this together.
Thank you special readers Tom, Lindsey, Rhonda, and the California crew for your time and your insights and for not telling anyone the secrets. Once the book is out, we won’t be able to control those inevitable spoiler people, but y’all have been magnificent with your discretion.
And finally, a most fervent thank you to Timmy. How odd it is to think that you weren’t part of writing this novel, since you were parent to these characters, too, when they were conceived and born and took their first steps into the world and began to grow up. People could learn a lot from you about how sometimes the best thing a parent can do is step away for a while. Thank you for being able, when you came back, to look at our offspring with a loving eye: liberal with your approval for how it turned out, never vocalizing what you might have done differently. For so many reasons which only the four of us can understand, when I wrote, I was very often writing with you as the silent reader sitting next to me. So, in fact, you are still very much a part of WHEN YOU DON’T SEE ME and the chain is still unbroken.
I can’t wait for this book and hope you three (or four) will keep writing them for a long time.
Andrew, a reader in CT
Thank you, Andrew in CT. Write any time. =)
I’m just so proud that I have and have had the opportunity to write with such talented, smart and witty people. No, the chain is certainly not broken.
Speaking of chains in a roundabout way… I think of you every time I put on my watch and remember my first trip to NYC and walking to Macy’s together and you picking it out for me. You chose well; I still like it.
I can’t wait til we get ours at the store. I ordered some extra copies to add them to the new book displays!
Yay, a reason for me to go to the store and take photos. =) Thanks, Johnny.
Like you need an excuse to go to a bookstore?? =0)
At the moment, I’m not allowed near a bookstore. Or the TV.
Soon…
No TV… with premiere season at hand??? oh my!!!
It’s really no sacrifice. I watch Y&R every night when I eat dinner. I watch Survivor. And I watch Project Runway. Other than that, I don’t watch TV.
I preordered on Amazon and it should be delivered in time for my birthday. (yaay)
It doesn’t have to be “like the others” as long as the story is “true to what happens” and I just know it will be. And I guess I should have the kleenex ready….
Or Puffs. Whichever tissue you prefer. 😉 Thanks for ordering.
What a lovely post!
Thanks. =)
I just checked my Borders and they have it in!
That means I have a good reason to head to the mall
(as if I need a reason).
OH! You’re the first then! It’s always fun when the first person tells us they got it. Post again when you have it in your hot little hands. =)
They had four copies on the shelf — now they have
three! LOL!
This particular Borders is very good on GLBT titles.
I almost never have to order stuff because they get
them in right away, usually multiple copies.
I’m having surgery on Thursday, so this will be
my recuperation reading!
Thank you!
Have you read the others? (They’re stand-alone novels, but there are characters in this from the first four books, and I’m always interested in how reactions may differ between people who’ve read the others compared to people who haven’t.)
I can’t wait to read it!
I think all Rutlie’s collars should match our book covers in photos. It just seems right.
Thanks, Shannon. =)
Becky: Thanks for taking us on this journey with you. It’s inspiring to see the process, step-by-step. I’m going to look for it at our Borders. I think I’ll listen to the Pet Shop Boys while reading it!
You can always use the chapter titles as your soundtrack. =)
I’m glad you guys put yourselves through so much. You’re very appreciated, in many ways hard for me to describe. Thanks, Timothy James Beck. : )
Funny you should say that, as I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately as I struggle with my writing.
When I’m in the middle of writing a novel (solo or otherwise), it either seems really hard or really easy–sometimes that’s all in the same day. When I get past it and the novel is finished, I always wonder, “Why did I make such a big deal of it? It’s not that excruciating.”
A surgeon–now she has a tough job. And a teacher has a tough job. And a parent has a tough job. And probably someone who splits atoms has a tough job, but I don’t know, since Homer Simpson works at a nuclear power plant. (I have a hard time differentiating between real life and cartoons.)
But writing, as taxing as it can be, has so many pleasures. I can easily imagine taking a break from it, or going through a dormant period, but I have to admit that I’m baffled by people who say they are going to STOP writing when they suffer some kind of setback. How can anyone stop permanently? It’s like saying, “I’m not going to love you anymore. There. I don’t.” Or, “I’m not going to believe in [deity of your choice] anymore. There, I don’t.”
Is it really something that can be turned on and off? I don’t know. Not for me.
no, thank YOU
you know, becky, i usually only read your journal about once a week…so this week is extraordinary. i loved your post about this. i was so excited to get the padded envelope from Kensington yesterday with the copies in it. it’s one thing to get the covers, but the feeling of seeing the real book is just something that’s so hard to explain.
thanks, beck, tim and timmy for being you. i’m so lucky to have you as friends, colleagues, partners. what an amazing journey indeed. i love you al——
Jim
Re: no, thank YOU
Wow, two Jim comments in one week! Woohoo! I’ll just say what I was singing to you after I posted your birthday wishes: You are my inspiration, Jiiiiim. 😉
I’m kinda bummed that one of the first emails I read today was from amazon saying that the release date was ‘changed’ and I can expect delivery mid October.
Bastards!
Oh, that just doesn’t seem right, when some Borders already have them on the shelf. Maybe it will come sooner than that.
Maybe I’ll have to check the B&N here in town tomorrow. If they haven’t shipped it, I figure I can always cancel my Amazon order.
I don’t have a B/B nearby, but I will check the local bookstore and if they have it I will cancel Amazon too.
I want it NOW…and Amazon claimed “Unfortunately, the release date for the item(s) listed below has
changed, and we need to provide you with a new delivery estimate based on the new release date:”
Did they lie to me?
hmmm Kensington’s site shows release date of 9/25 also
http://www.kensingtonbooks.com/finditem.cfm?itemid=11297
Hi
Hi…I came across your website after picking up your book. I’m a Canadian, but I came across “Three Fortunes in One Cookie” while in NYC. After reading it I had to order “The Deal” from Amazon, which I’m now almost through. The books are absolutely fantastic! After I finish “The Deal” I will be ordering the ones you’ve written as part of a foursome. Thank you for writing such excellent books!
Mark
Re: Hi
Hi, Mark from Canada. Thank YOU for reading and for writing. I’m so glad you enjoyed the books! I’ll make sure that Timothy sees this, too.
Re: Hi
I fell in love with “3 Fortunes.”
“…the chain is still unbroken.” is such a wonderful thing to read.
Caring, sharing, nurturing until “the” book is produced! It’s nice to have insight into your thoughts on the process.