My first novel, The Tricking of Freya, is about to be published.
I have no idea what it’s fate will be, or what it will be like to have my first book come into this world. It’s utterly thrilling and also a bit terrifying. I’m going to blog about it, in case anyone wants to come along for the ride.
I call it “confessions” because I want to keep it honest. Also, I like the tawdry sound of it.
I’m going to capture what it feels like to walk into a bookstore and see my book on display for the first time. Or stand up in front of a bunch of strangers in a far away city and read out loud from its pages. Read the reviews, connect with readers, who knows what else? I certainly don’t. I’ve never done any of this before.
And, as we count down the days to the launch date (03/03/09; I’m not much on numerology, but doesn’t that sound lucky?), I’ll fill you in on the backstory of writing my novel, finding an agent and a publisher, and anticipating publication.
(No wait, that sounds really pedestrian. And pedestrian this has not been. I said I was going to be honest, so how about this instead:
An 8-year saga of harrowing ups and downs. Ecstatic moments of creative bliss followed by murky chasms of self doubt. Bizarre experiences in Iceland, like eating fermented shark meat and trekking a steaming lava field. Completely restructuring a 400-page first draft. Being terrified I would never finish. How my mother and I, who had a really really hard relationship, bonded through the writing of my novel. How surprisingly easy it was to find an agent and a publisher. How at the very end, when I thought I was done, I got cancer and autoimmune disease and my father died. And how I started crying with joy when I read my early review on Booklist… Things like that.)
So please, come along for the ride.
And do speak up. I’m listening.
Christina, I'm so excited to follow along on your journey and thrilled that you have chosen to share it with us!
Thank you for teaching us what it took you 8 years to learn!
Posted by: Tiffany | January 26, 2009 at 02:26 PM
Wonderful!
Looking forward to seeing what happens....here and first hand!
xoxoxo
~ok~
Posted by: Oliver | January 27, 2009 at 07:12 AM
You are very brave for sharing both the joys and the angst of this first published novel with us. I know it will be an inspiration for us creative types who want proof that dreams can come true...All the best for a successful launch of Freya!
Posted by: Christopher | January 27, 2009 at 02:30 PM
I'll be along for the ride...I remember talking novels in Petaluma in what may have been the NINETIES (oh, lord...), and checking in every so often since then for the latest in the saga. So glad to have a place to come for the entire unfolding story...I'm proud of you!
Posted by: The Subtle Rudder | January 27, 2009 at 02:57 PM
Christina, looking forward to hearing more of your confessions, and can't wait to read "Freya!"
Posted by: Wendy Nelson Tokunaga | January 27, 2009 at 02:59 PM
I am currently reading a proof of your book. Wow!It is remarkable. I love it!
I will be following the blog as I am a short story writer with the dream of writing a novel.
Posted by: Bill | January 28, 2009 at 02:41 AM
Bill, I am so happy you are enjoying my book! This is my first experience with people I don't know reading it, so it's really thrilling to hear about.
I wish you the best with your short story writing and hope you'll pursue your dreams of writing a novel when the time is right.
Thanks again,
Christina
Posted by: Christina | January 28, 2009 at 06:10 AM
Xtina Darling,
Wow I feel such wonderful emotions welling up inside of myself! I'm honored that you are including everyone in a blog to share your experience with all of us! Seems like such a long time ago (late 80's)when you shared some of your short stories with me and talked about writing your first novel and I remember thinking "wow...this girl is really good....no REALLY good...a big fleshed out novel is going to be unreal"! I am so proud of you and your accomplishments! I can't wait to read your book and keep up with the blog as well.
Posted by: Jefe | January 28, 2009 at 10:45 AM
Christina, the images of frozen oceans at the top of your blog space reminded me of our brief email exchange. I said weather can't be 'worse', but after I pressed 'send', I remembered that your experiences have been different from mine, up here in cozy Buffalo, NY. Please do tell, what weather is 'worse'?
To sunny skies for Sunley,
CG
Posted by: Colette | January 29, 2009 at 07:15 AM
Hi Christina!
Greetings from the Eastern coast and the Island that is Long!
Kudos to you on this great accomplishment! I can't imagine the work and heart that you must have put into it over the eight years. I've been in sore need of a good novel and I am anxiously awaiting it's debut!
Posted by: Danielle | January 29, 2009 at 08:53 AM