Epiphanies. Zen. Mountaintop Experiences.
Bucket loads of thanks to all my friends, readers, fellow writers, and mentors who were there with me yesterday at my book launch celebration–in body or in spirit. It was one of those moments when life is so full I can’t help but realize how lucky I am.
With my beautiful family, who are generous with support and inspiration for a writer’s soul.
People ask me how long it took to write The Button Collector. That’s hard to answer because this was a book that sometimes needed to hibernate for years at a time. But I can tell you when I first started putting its words on paper and that was when the six-foot-three young man in the above photo was preparing to make his entrance into the world. Hard to believe, I know!
People still come out for book launch celebrations–reading is alive and well!
Our celebration found the perfect venue in Jongo Java in downtown Hendersonville . . . nurturing the arts with a great space, awesome coffee and delicious scones!
Surrounded by the original Wordwrights….
I will be forever grateful to the people above, who were the original core members of my fabulous writing group, The Wordwrights, from left to right: Ted Hoffman, journalist, reviewer and mystery writer; Ann B. Ross, author of the Miss Julia books and our break-out success story; and Katie Winkler, playwright, short story writer and English instructor extraordinaire! I was delightedly shocked to see Ted walk in the door as he now lives in Florida and had made up some big story about he couldn’t make it because he was sick as a dog. And I believed him!
The wonderful Celia Barbieri–The Button Florist–holding one of her button bouquets
Another great surprise was when Celia Barbieri–The Button Florist–popped by. I have one of her whimsical and lovely bouquets but I had never met her!
More Wordwrights, including Elaine and Pat who never wavered in their encouragement!
Over the years, The Wordwrights evolved and added new members. I wish they all could have made it but I was happy that Elaine and Pat could join in the celebration because they too are midwives for my writing.
Whatever you do, keep writing!
Elizabeth Jennings 
Congratulations on your book launch!!! You look like you had so much fun 🙂 And are you saying you’ve been working on the book since your son was born? That’s insane!!! I mean, I thought me spending 7 years on my book was a long time, but you’ve definitely got me beat 🙂 Congrats again 🙂
Thanks, Michelle! It took me about six years to “finish” the book. I did a few edits after that and when it was accepted by Cup of Tea Books late last year, I did a significant revision. But yes, I was pregnant with my son, who is now 17, when I started writing.