August 14, 2024

August, as in my birthday month!

From an older version of my brain, to yours.

Interludes...might be overrated

It’s tempting to think of my month living in Vancouver as a break from my “normal” life. It certainly was different than what we’re used to.

My 17-yr-old and I ended up in a compact 1-bedroom apartment minutes from a bustling Skytrain station; that meant we were also right next to the train tracks themselves. (In case you’re interested, first trains are around 5am; last trains, about 1:30am. Ask me how I know.)

We had so. many. chances for creative problem-solving. Like, how to cook in a minimalist kitchen, with very little cookware/dishes/utensils. (A lifesaver for us: our handy-dandy little knife sharpener.) And, how to handle a heat wave without air-conditioning or cross-breezes. (Hooray for electric fans!) As well as, how to enjoy touristy stuff on a student’s budget—especially eating out at some of the many incredible restaurants. (Hello, Chinatown BBQ!)

You may recall that I am middle-aged.

One might argue that I am far too old to live like a poor university student (again). One might even be right.

But this was my teen’s trip, not mine. They’re determined to move out for university, after a gap year to save up for school away. July in Vancouver, attending a summer art program at Emily Carr University of Art and Design, was a golden opportunity for them to get a small taste of what that might be like. I got to be their backup/sounding board/partner in crime for the month.

It wasn’t the most physically comfortable time for me, I have to be honest. But that didn’t stop me from having a fantastic experience. I saw my mum and dear friends—more than once! I got to the harbour at least once a week for a restorative walk. I discovered parts of the city I’d never known when I lived there. It was mundane yet magical, all at once.

I’ve been home for 2 weeks. I’m proud to say I’ve avoided looking back at July with the sort of fond nostalgia reserved for “perfect” vacations.

Because my month in Vancouver—however un-replicable it was, in time and opportunity—was also my life. I learned a lot of things which I bring forward with me. I created lovely new memories and bonded even more tightly with some of the gorgeous souls I’m privileged to know and love. I am chuffed to be a survivor of 30 consecutive nights sleeping in a twin Murphy bed.

Interludes are great. I’m not knockin’ ’em, for the record. I’m beyond blessed to have a life I love, a life I design so I can love it, if you know what I mean. Maybe not every second of every hour of every day, I am human after all.

But what a gift to have a life that includes wondrous opportunities like a month in one of the most beautiful cities in the world, supporting and encouraging and witnessing my darling teen spread their delicate multi-faceted wings and fly.

The Q&A Corner

Thanks for your patience, Rosemary R.! I know you asked this one a while ago...

In the face of constant struggle for recognition, ie sales, what keeps you going?

Ok, I guess the softballs are over..! Bear with me, though, because I suspect my take might be unusual.

I guess the first thing I want to say is that I don’t equate book sales with recognition. For me, sales tells me how many people or institutions have bought a copy of my work. Nothing more and nothing less. And I get it: if I didn’t care if anyone read my stuff, I wouldn’t have entered publishing, right? Which means I willingly participate in treating my work as products, to a certain extent.

So, yes, sales are important for what they are: a financial measure of a given work’s life as a product. Plus—I like receiving royalties.

“Recognition” can be tricky. It can mean wildly different things to different people. Making a bestsellers list? Award noms? Award wins? Honourary doctorates? Artistic residencies? Inclusion on annual or seasonal or coming-soon best-of lists? Positive reader reviews? Positive trade reviews? A certain number of aggregate stars? High-profile interviews? Bookstore staff recommendations? A certain number of social media tags?

It’s a lot, right? But the important thing to notice is this: Not a single one of those things is in your control.

Sure, we can create a social media posting calendar and stick to it, even. We can politely and professionally pester our publicity person (at the publisher and/or whom we’ve hired) to get those media releases to the right places, and our books sent into awards juries on time. We can organize live events online and in-store with as many of our author friends as we can manage (and afford). We can make sure our covers and files are formatted properly for each online retailer. We can build relationships with indie booksellers. We can maintain connections with our readers via newsletters and such.

These can all be important and useful activities. They all take time and energy. Some of them can be loads of fun. Many of them will yield results of some sort.

And not a single one will directly translate into exactly what we have in mind when we plan them.

So those aren’t the things I struggle with.

I strive to handle my doubts, so I can write the best book I’m able, every single time. I strive to understand what makes me the best person to tell certain stories, and then to tell them in ways unique to me. I strive to remember that the only thing I have any semblance of control over, is my writing; my professionalism; and my kindness.

I struggle enough with the things I believe—maybe erroneously—I can control. I don’t have the energy to keep worrying about that other stuff. Once I’ve done what I can, the rest is out of my hands. I can hope and wish and dream, but I don’t tether myself to other people’s expectations or tastes or opinions.

I’m not saying it’s easy to stay, let’s say, unattached from all the exterior concerns that come with being a published author. But I am saying, for me, it’s a practice worth the effort.

I hope that gives some food for thought, Rosemary—and whoever else might need it!

Lovelies, I’ve reached the last of the banked questions, so...please send me more because I really enjoy Q&As and I hope you find it interesting and/or fun, too!

Ask Me Anything: publishing, writing, baking, cooking, movies, books, TV shows...it's all up for grabs. Even questions that get sparked by one of my answers. What strikes your curiosity? Let me know!

~ In Other News ~

Starting January 2025, I’m joining the faculty of an established creative writing program as a mentor. More details to come, but I’m so excited, I just can’t wait to share the news with you!

Please please please keep your fingers crossed: I’m the closest yet to an offer on my romance novel! The editor asked for a slight tweak to my sample chapters, in order to share with their acquisitions board. That doesn’t guarantee an offer, but at least I know the editor is excited for this book and wants to make this happen. Squeeee!

Have you registered for the Surrey International Writers’ Conference in October? There are in-person and online-only options. I know that at least one of my events will be livestreamed and/or recorded. Please check it out. The roster is filled with many accomplished authors and professionals to learn from!

Remember the One Book, One Community program at the Alice B. Donahue Library & Archives in Athabasca? The updated website with links is now live, showing In The Dark We Forget as their 2024 choice! And though they haven’t announced the dates, I can tell you (*whispers*) I’ll be doing two in-person events on Saturday November 9th. Stay tuned for more info soon.

Oh, there’s just one more thing...

I created a series of photo essays, while I was in Vancouver. Please check it out on my Insta @sgwong8! (Remember that I switched my account to private? So if you haven’t already, you’re only one follow request away from connecting with me there!)

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