I participated in a booksigning for The Double Cross at the Costco in Lehi last Friday. The whole thing was to have happened two weeks ago. Everyone knew about it, apparently, except that Costco in Lehi. So it goes. No harm, no foul.
The one yesterday was that mix of busy and downtime that booksignings often are. My niece Amy dropped by on her lunch break, and so did her mom an hour later. Other friends, readers and fellow writers dropped by, bought books and chatted. Then there were those stretches when I had to work at convincing folks they really really needed to read this story about Paloma and Marco Mondragon, and care about New Mexico colony at the time of Comanches and Spanish. Must've convinced enough folks, because the books all got sold.
In the course of sitting at Costco, I did my usual informal-survey-keep-your-mind-busy tactic. According to my survey, most people are in Costco to buy 30 rolls of toilet paper at a time (I did the same), milk, and birthday/party cakes. Oh, and lots of disposable diapers, which went along with the numerous women I saw with little kids in the cart, and another on the way. It was totally Utah country.
Then something touching happened, which even now is making me tear up a bit. An older lady stopped by to tell me that her daughter owns and has read nearly all my books. I told her that I bet she didn't have this one. She agreed, and had me sign it for her daughter.
Nothing unusual there, eh? Then she said, so serious: "My daughter is far from home and going through a nasty divorce. She tells me that when she feels low and down, she reads your books over and over until she feels better."
Wow. I'm going to be thinking about that mother and her beleaguered daughter for a long, long time - maybe every time I sit down to work on another chapter. Yeah, it's historical fiction with usually a bit of romance - fluff. Yeah, when I start each book my mantra is, "This isn't Hamlet and you're not Shakespeare." But now and then, I am reminded that what I do matters to more than just me.
You other writers know exactly what I'm talking about.
The Wedge of the San Rafael
Someone has to live here, in the middle of desert beauty. Might as well be the Kellys.
Lovely post, thank you Carla.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Braden. I know you understand exactly what I'm talking about.
DeleteSometimes hubby reads what I've written and says, "Well, it ain't Shakespeare but it's okay." Well, says I, Fitzgerald ain't Shakespeare, either, and neither is Hemingway or Tolstoy. Somebody asked me once, back in the day, if I was planning to be the next Carol Lynn Pearson (remember her?) I said no, I thought I'd take a shot at being the first Pam Williams. It keeps me going. You can't be who you aren't. Thanks for sticking to your Carla Kelly mantra. There's room for all of us.
ReplyDeleteOh, I remember Carol Lynn. And Gerald. Long time ago, eh?
DeleteThat was a nice thing to hear, wasn't it? I hope it goes well for the woman's daughter.
ReplyDeleteI do too, Liz. She's on my mind and in my heart.
ReplyDeleteI discovered your books when a friend sent me copies of Miss Milton Speaks Her Mind and Mrs. Drew Plays Her Hand a few years ago, when I was spending time in the hospital with my grandfather, who I dearly loved. Those books were a lifeline for me during his illness and death. Those books were such a comfort during a sad and painful time, and will always be so special to me because of that. Thank you for giving so many of us such lovely reading experiences to help us through difficult times (and good times, too; I remember being so absorbed by a later book of yours that I hid it in my desk to read at spare moments during work, and literally read it at stop lights on my drive home).
ReplyDeleteThanks again!
Jess, you made me laugh! Read it at stop lights? I refuse to be responsible for an accident. Funny you should mention Miss Milton. As we speak, I'm going over it one more time before it heads to a reprint, and an ebook. I think it'll eb ready in February. You're right about books giving comfort. On Sept. 11, I was working my ranger job at Fort Union Trading Post NHS in North Dakota (I worked a week on and a week off, and lived on the other side of the state). When I got home after that long, long week, I went right to my bookshelf and pulled out "The Lawrenceville Stories," possibly my favorite book. All I wanted to do was hold it. And I felt better.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with that woman's daughter. My go to comfort book is "Mrs. Drew Plays Her Hand." If it isn't available any of your books will do. They never feel to make me feel calmer and happier. Thank you! Louise
ReplyDeleteI'll confess: I even enjoy rereading my own book, The Double Cross, and maybe My Loving Vigil Keeping. As for others, I enjoy Rosemary Sutcliff"s trilogy about Romans in early Britain, and John Harvey's wonderful crime fiction. Little Women is another favorite that's highly re-readable.
Delete"Yeah, it's historical fiction with usually a bit of romance - fluff."
ReplyDeleteThem's fightin' words!!
Carla, I taught high school English for 13 years and am now a college professor. Although I never tire of reading of Romeo and Juliet, for example, I also never tire of revisiting good friends written by you. I brag about your characterizations and plotting for the very best reason of all: you're good. If I'm in the mood for "fluff," I don't pull one of your works off the shelf (or Kindle). Go ahead and get the big head for a few minutes. :-)
Nah, you made me laugh, though. I have a Harlequin Historical coming out in March that kind of begins as fluff-city, but becomes a tad more profound. Well, I discovered a lot of years ago that life isn't fluff, and I do try to limn characters that understand life is a bit of both. Thanks for your words, Robin, and congratulations for fighting the good fight re: English.
DeleteDear Madame Kelly: Well I've read Mrs. Drew (playing her Hand lol) at least 4 times and I could easily read it again. Once @ 10 years ago I took the book on a tour of Europe. One day we were "on the road" from Italy to France. The sights were great but then we entered a looooong tunnel (in and out) so I took up Mrs. D. and ended up reading it twice (we were delayed due to a traffic jam so the time spent piled up). So I know how easy it is to read your books over and over, have done it :)!
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