Hello my darling friends.
I’ve bombarded you with a ton of melted cheese, buttered popcorn, and chocolate chunks lately. I feel like we haven’t had the proper amount of time to catch up.
Can we just take a breath together. Maybe have an extra cup of coffee or another half glass of wine? Let’s absorb this Wednesday the best way we know how.
You may or may not know that I’m currently working on my second cookbook. It’s a blessing. It’s totally exciting. It’s a dream come true x 2.
I’ve heard people compare writing a book to giving birth to a child. I get it. Writing a book is laborious and time-consuming and… actually, I totally don’t get it, nevermind.
I haven’t had any back pain or swollen ankles or excruciating pain while writing this book. Although… I’d like to sign up for an epidural here and now, if you’re offering (which you aren’t).
You know what happens when you have a baby? It comes out and people are STOKED. You know what happens when you write a book? It comes out and people write a review on Amazon.
I was doing some deep thinking this morning while washing the dishes produced from a failed pie recipe testing session…. writing a book is exactly like this for me: I get dressed up, fancy but not tooooo fancy, to go to a friend of a friend’s party. (stay with me… this is a very detailed analogy… there were a lot of dishes to do). I’m wearing an outfit I feel pretty confident in, but I’m wearing my favorite, wear-them-waaaay-too-often flats because I’m interested in foot comfort on this particular evening. I get to the party and (to my horror) discover they this particular house has instituted a no-shoes-in-the-house policy. Gracious Lord in heaven please help me.
First panic: I know I don’t have a pedicure on these feet, and things are starting off a little less than perfect. Second panic: Do.My.Feet.Stink!? I have no way of knowing…. AND! Since this is my very own anxiety nightmare, I can’t go to the bathroom to check, I can’t leave the party, I can’t insta-pedicure my feet… I just have to sit with the self I’ve created.
Writing a book is EXACTLY like taking your shoes off at a party and hoping your feet don’t stink… or hoping people don’t notice that your feet stink. Replace ‘feet’ with the word ‘book’ if you aren’t following my (totally ridiculous) train of thought. You spend months and months writing a thing, preparing it for the world, trying your best to make it what you want it to be…. and at the end of the day, you just have to take your shoes off and hope to God they don’t (and your dang BOOK doesn’t) totally stink.
It’s just that. It really is.
Aren’t SO many things like that in life? You understand, I know you do.
In other news, I’m working on a pie chapter and I need you to come over and help me eat the pies that don’t stink. Sidenote: I should have a bake sale.
In addition to writing a lot, and freaking out a little (and OVERSHAING!)… I’m reading a few books. Words going out of my brain means I need to put some words back in my brain. I think it’s math or something.
I’m currently reading:
Lean In. You know… that totally controversial women’s empowerment book written by Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg. I’m glad someone is saying the words she has said about women in the workplace. They seem to be fighting words, but you can judge for yourself.
Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald. Zelda was a fascinating woman and I am so enjoying this book. It was spawned by my love of F.Scott and my recent reading of The Paris Wife (which was sooooo good). Also, if I have a daughter, I’m naming her Zelda… I called it.
Lastly, I’m rereading The Great Gatsby because it’s better than anything that will ever come out of my brain for as long as I live. Sometimes it’s nice to drown in that sort of work. Also, the Baz Luhrmann film is coming out this May and I’m a little more than completely obsessed.
Mostly though, I’m testing pies, mixing cocktails, trying to make a lovely book even though it feels like a fight right now… and really, I wouldn’t change a thing (but maybe I would). I so appreciate that you are here with me. With my whole heart that’s true.
Note: The top picture in the post is a recipe test for a Vegan Grapefruit Pie inspired by this recipe by Sprouted Kitchen. (It was a fail.)
(other) Note: The photos in this post were taken with my iPhone and tweaked using Instagram, VSCO, and Diptic…. in case you were curious.
…oh man.
Janet A
I’m with you on the feet thing. Your host should have let the guests know beforehand about going barefoot. I’ve lived overseas where wearing shoes inside is a no no. But most who cook know that being barefoot in the kitchen is a major safety flaw. We have a rule in this house, if you’re in the kitchen, you have something on your feet.
Burns, glass and knives oh my. Hot food accidentally spilled on Keds is much easier to take than on bare footsies.
I love going barefoot. Even outside. But NOT in the kitchen.
Rachel
Always happy to hear from another Gatsby fan rave about the book! ^_^
Laura
It’s nice to know I’m not the only one who struggles when writing blog posts. Can’t wait for your next cookbook – of course it will be amazing!
Caitlin M
You know what pie is amazing? This pie:
https://www.thekitchn.com/recipe-chocolate-chess-pie-141462?utm_campaign=topblock&utm_medium=web&utm_source=thekitchn-recipe
Betsy
I am so STOKED for your next cookbook! And I know I am not the only one. When your first one came out I went out to get it, came home, and sat on my couch to read it cover to cover. Can’t wait to do it again!
Josephine
yesterday, you came for a visit to my place, took off your shoes, and made your extra crumb coffee cake. I’m here to report that your feet smell of cinnamon, nutmeg and buttery, sugary goodness.
If this makes any sense to you, even adorable babies stink sometimes – it’s all part of their charm ;-)
May the force be with you!
joelle (on a pink typewriter)
I adore that analogy. Somehow that also fits in with the way I think about first dates with new guys, too. I’d rather have a pie than think about that. ;)
Rocky Mountain Woman
So I feel the same way about reading when I write. I like your suggestions! I have always felt reading great writers improved my writing…
Barbara
There is no way your second book could stink! I have your first one and it is A+mazing (as Mariah Carey has been saying on American Idol)!! I love everything you do…your book, your blog, your podcast…love it all!!
Living The Sweet Life
Your book won’t stink. Your first one rocked not just my world … but the entire food world ( that may sound a little dramatic … but let’s go with it).
Also, your Joy. And you’re pretty rad. Rad people = Rad books.
And I always worry about shoeless parties, my shoes are part of my outfit … my feet are naked. Problem.
Caroline
Girl, You got this.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-gQLqv9f4o
Anne's Kitchen
Oh Joy, I completely understand what you mean! I am in fact just writing my first cookbook myself, which will come out with my first TV show later this year..! It’s so exciting but absolutely terrifying! I hope my “feet” won’t stink on national TV….
All the best to you, can’t wait to get my hands on your second book!
x Anne
Tiffany
I totally get it about the book/feet stink situation. I finished a novel I’ve been working on for entirely too long (perfectionist much) and just put together a team of test readers before I start querying agents…and I’m petrified!
Your first book and your blog are wonderful and I know the next one will be too.
ATasteOfMadness
I would be more than glad to eat some of the pies you’ve been making! Sounds like you’re crazy busy, good luck on the book!
T Franklin
Looking forward to the new book, Tanja