Things Learned From Our Four-Legged Friends...

        This evening Jean Ellen Whatley did a book talk at Abode Coffee House. I'd heard her speak at an earlier event at one our local Humane Societies, so I figured this would be the same.

        It wasn't.

Jean Ellen Whatley at a book signing at the Humane Society in St. Louis

        Focusing on the things she learned from Libby, her mutt and travel companion during her 8,600 mile trip, Whatley touched on not being bitter...loving with abandon...the importance of taking a risk...and not holding a grudge.

        One of the things I remembered since, darn it, I didn't bring a notebook to jot things down she said was, "The barrier has no bite." What she was referring to--initially--was the fact that Libby was eager to get at a cat in the neighboring yard, but unbeknownst to the canine, the battery in her electric-fence collar had died months ago. Libby was holding herself back for no reason.

      Isn't that what many writers are afraid of? We worry that if we submit something, it will be rejected and we'll get an email telling us "no" that's full of nasty comments about our writing style. When there is a panel of editors choosing selections, I assume they're groaning and moaning (and not for good reasons) over my story. I worry that my face will magically appear--a vaporous image floating in the air--as they laugh at my serious moments and frown during my humorous ones, and then they'll recognize me when they see me on the street, and then they will whisper about me and...well, you get the idea.

      The biggest barrier that's keeping us from taking a risk is ourselves. And if we don't face our fears, and take a chance on chasing our dream, we'll have regrets. 

       This came at a much-needed time for me. Right now I'm in the middle of a bitter loop that keeps playing, nonstop. Creating ways to splice in new film takes time...But I'm working on it.

        As promised, I'm giving away a copy of Jean Ellen Whatley's Off the Leash. I stirred around the entries from my thousands of thirteen followers, and came up with the name of Lisa, who writes in the buff. Speaking of risks, she's embarked on a business endeavor, and has hung out her writing shingle.

        The book is signed, and has the coolest note. (I'm tempted to tear off that page and keep it, so Lisa, you'd better send me your address quickly so I can box it up and send it off fast.)

        What writing advice do you have? (We all need a little help from our friends occasionally, after all.)

        

Jean Whatley--Unleashed and Unfettered

Jean Whatley, author of Off the Leash, proudly holding up her book. The publisher is Blank Slate Press,
and Subterranean Books kindly donated 10% of the sales to the Humane Society.

         I had the privilege and the pleasure of hearing Jean Whatley talk about her new memoir. The book signing was at the Humane Society. It made me regret putting on mascara, because there were many moments when my eyes filled with tears.

        It's not that Jean spoke of only dark things, nor was it that she lacked a sense of humor. It was an uplifting talk, full of sardonic wit. The overall messages she wanted to impart were:

• Follow your dreams...Don't put them off or it might be too late when you finally have the courage to try to achieve them.
• Visit the people who matter. Now. And tell them you love them. Now. If you wait, the window of opportunity might slam shut.

      So why the tears? I think I was so moved because Jean came very close to not going after something that she desperately wanted and needed. She was so honest with the audience, I ached with her over her marriage crumbling and I was quivered right next to her as she stood at the edge of an emotional and a financial cliff...and she had the courage to step off, not having any idea how it would end.

      After reading her blog postings as she traveled across the country and after hearing some excerpts she read aloud and reading some snippets of the book myself, I know this is going to be a funny, poignant, and moving memoir.

      Have you read Jean's book and if not, when are you planning on buying it? Or

      What kind of huge "cliff" did you step off during your life, and how did it end up?

Jean Whatley at the Humane Society, signing her book. Her memoir tells how she and her dog Libby
went on a journey across the country that was more life-changing than Thelma and Louise's car trip.