Sitting on my . . .

/ roughwighting

resting on my laurels, book publishingMay I rest on my laurels a little here? It’s still summer . . . the season to be outside inhaling the ocean air, embracing every sunset, following the sunflowers,  laughing with the hummingbirds, basking in the sun.

And, to sit on a laurel or two.

What is a laurel, you may wonder. Ah, well, in Ancient Greece victorious athletes were presented with laurel wreaths to wear on their heads. They were, and still are, signs of great accomplishment, unless you start resting on them.illustrated children's book, picture book,

Ahem. But I deserve a little laurel resting. I’m on a high because I was invited to speak in my New England neighborhood this week about my children’s book, Birds of Paradise. Even though it’s been published for over a year and it was named a finalist at the International Book Awards, and even though I greet my neighbors out and about almost every day, many of them had no idea I’m a writer. And a published author.

So one of my neighbors had an old-fashioned “soiree,” where 20 of us gathered at her house. I talked about my book, about writing, about fulfilling a dream, even if it was a 30-year old dream. I filled up my discourse using quotes from other authors, like Madeleine L’Engle, who explained:

writing, publishing, Madeleine L'Engle

 

 

 

 

I read my book to the group, gratified when I noticed a few tears drop at the end of the story, glowing at the praise. My head felt heavier with the invisible laurel wreath.

After the evening, I placed my laurels at my writing desk, and then, later the next day, received notice of a few more 5-star Amazon reviews on my novel The Right Wrong Man. The newest one was written by an author I admire, Jacqui Murray:

romantic suspense, romance, Amazon“In Pamela Wight’s The Right Wrong Man Meredith Powers is accustomed to spending her days helping authors turn out polished manuscripts. She’s good at it . . . . but not so much at running her love life. She falls for a man who disappears frequently for job-related work that takes him to dangerous parts of the world doing dangerous things. Finally, she can’t stand the idea that she might lose him, so she dumps him. To recover from his unpredictability, she moves in with a handsome and dependable accountant. Parker reappears, filled with warnings of her safety telling her not to trust anyone, telling her his cover was blown and he is now running for his life, and within days, she is kidnapped. The FBI agent who holds her captive tells her a different story about Parker, of a rogue agent who fell to the dark side and that the US government needs her help capturing him. It is at this point she realizes . .” (gotta read the rest of the book to find out what Meredith realizes…)

My laurels are blooming bright and green.

I’m going to rest on them a bit. But not too long, since the expression “to rest on your laurels” means to get lazy or complacent about what you could achieve next, because you’re too busy basking in the memories of former glory.

Ahhh, but basking is what summer is all about, isn’t it?

Bronzino, Dante, resting on your laurels

Bronzino [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons.
Have you been resting on any laurels this summer?

139 thoughts on “Sitting on my . . .”

  2. Pamela, you can rest all you want in my book. Well, I do not have a book to my credit but if I did, I would be resting at least for a while. I have never been able to figure how to know when to write ( a while or awhile). Anyhow, I love all that you do and I enjoy reading about how you receive validation for your writings. Keep on keeping on.

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    • My guess is that you haven’t rested on YOUR laurels, Jill, and you have plenty of reason to. I so enjoyed your last book. Sweet and well-written and WARM in all the right ways. xo

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  4. This is all wonderful and I’m so pleased for you. Our laurels are what remind us to keep going so we can’t afford to rest on them for too long. But it is OK to bask in them!! I’ve been busy promoting my series this summer, working on Amanda in Malta and relaxing in the pool. I guess I’m doing a bit of everything. (I managed to sell some books at the pool, there are kids there with their parents/grandparents.) I love those soirees!

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    • I’ve decided that soirees are the BEST way to share and sell our books, Darlene. The attendees are so gracious and cordial and warm-hearted about our stories. I walked out of my neighbor’s get-together without touching the ground. Most readers don’t realize how we authors LOVE to hear how our characters have touched them.

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    • Haha. I’ll admit, I don’t have any “laurel” laurels hanging around, but I think my wicker rocking chair on the porch could act like a bench of laurels, and I’ll rock enough to come up with my next story idea. 🙂

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  15. Lovely post, Pam, and congratulations. Not only on your newest, excellent reviews, but on discovering how rewarding it is to get out there and meet potential new readers face to face. I dearly love building a local readership, and I hope you’ll find more opportunities to do the same. NOTHING boosts your spirits more than that, unless it’s new 5-star reviews. BOTH is best of all! 😀 ❤

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    • I know you encourage other writers to get out there and share their stories with potential readers, Marcia. It’s a little difficult for us introverted ones, but wow the results are astronomical. You are so right; to see and hear how our readers react to our stories and our characters help propel us onto writing more stories. ✍️❤️

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      • Exactly, Pam! And it gets easier every time you do it, I swear. You begin to think of it as time spent with old friends and a chance to make new ones, and it’s all about enjoying them, while they enjoy you. I’ve been doing various types of talks for three or four years, so it’s easier for me, but believe me, my first one or two, I was scared to death. It was a case of “fake it ’til you make it.” I hope you’ll get more opportunities to meet your readers and to make new ones. Good luck! 🙂 ❤

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    • Readers are encouraging me to write another illustrated children’s book, Patricia. Hearing children and adults ask me to write a sequel to Birds of Paradise certainly gets my writing fingers flowing. And yes, I am about 30% into my next novel, which is a sequel to The Right Wrong Man. Never enough hours to the day. So I can’t rest on those laurels too long. 😬😊💗

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  17. Now I’m not going to be able to rest until I read about what she realizes!

    And that will have to wait until I’ve got my feet up beside the lake, basking in some autumn glow.

    I’ll see you on the turning pages.

    Congratulations. The laurels look good on you!

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  18. We need a few laurels to remind us to keep going with our writing (later). It’s a well-earned bonus after working so hard to produce a book. It’s gratifying to hear about it when the books are well received. I’ve certainly enjoyed yours, Pam, so go ahead and take a few minutes off. Enjoy the rest of the summer before warming up the keyboard for your next novel. Yes, take a few minutes. Take all day, or okay, take a week or so. I’m sure that even when you’re “resting on your laurels” the wheels are turning about things you can put into your next book. I don’t think a writer can ever shut it off, but maybe you can jot down some reminder notes for later and give yourself a rest.

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  23. You are doing what many writers (and other humans) are urged to do every once in a while: pause and acknowledge accomplishments. I admire you for that! Many just go on to the next thing and fail to savor the moment.

    I like the many congratulatory comments, especially Molly’s. The only laurels I have to rest on are my academic accolades from a different life and a copy of The Laurel Wreath yearbook, which I consulted frequently writing my memoir.

    So proud of you, Pam!

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    • Thanks for your wise words, Marian, interspersed with your wit, of course. The Laurel Wreath – what a great title for a yearbook. We all are looking forward to reading your memoir. At that point, I’ll send you over some of these laurels I’ve been resting on. 🙂 xo

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  24. One good thing about a book is that it lasts. Some, by reason of their subject matter, date more quickly. Others, such as your romance thrillers, can be picked up and enjoyed for many years. I’ve got a friend presently reading my first book excitedly telling me the story as she goes. Just as well because I’ve forgotten it 🙂

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    • Now that’s funny, Roy. Yes, I think we authors should re-read our novels every year, not only so we can pat ourselves on the back (wow, I really wrote that?) but also so we know what our readers are talking about when they relay info to us about our books that they’re reading. 🙂

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    • You just gave me a great idea, Balroop. We authors and poets should grow a laurel bush or two around our homes, just to make sure we remember to pluck a leaf or two now and then, and enliven our life by resting on them now and then. xo

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    • And you relayed that so well in your review, Jacqui. So many people here are getting a wonderful summary of my book The Right Wrong Man (and gaining interest in it) because of your great review! xo

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    • Fruits of my labor. Wellll, do M & M’s count as fruit? Because I love to reward myself with a different color M & M each time I’ve completed a new page or two of my next Work-in-Progress. 🙂 🙂

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  33. Congratulations, Pam. It’s always wonderful being recognized, whether by the “big reviewers” or the people who know us in everyday life. I say take a well-deserved little rest on your laurels. It is still simmer after all.

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    • I was just thinking of you last night (in the best ways – as an author) as my guy and I watched the latest Spielberg movie Ready Player One. Your trilogy explored the world of virtual reality, and skipping from “real” life to a virtual one, in so many great ways. Have you thought of approaching Spielberg about making a movie from your three-set fantasy-adventure? (Not kidding….)

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      • -massive hugs- I think that’s possibly the nicest thing anyone has ever said about my writing! Seriously. The answer though…who me?
        I really admire Spielberg’s work, but approaching him would be a bit like attempting to climb Mt Everest without pitons or a rope…
        I am going to daydream about the idea though. 😀

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  37. Congratulations Pamela and ‘bask on’ my lovely. It’s special to meet your readers face to face and to have that energy create new (well deserved) reviews. I sense your basking as healing and hibernating new creative sparks. Soft hugs for you. Xx

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    • Way before I became a writer, I was an admirer of Madeline L’Engle‘s books- particularly her journals on ordinary life. I feel like I learned so much from her before I even first started putting pen to paper. Thanks Diana. Hope you’ve taken time over the years of all your publications to sit on a laurel or two. 💙

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  43. My grandmother used to say that to me all the time. No resting on your laurels. I wait until she wasn’t looking and rest some more…usually with my books. You sure do deserve a break in the summer. That is what summer is all about. Besides, I bet your still doing a bit of work, in between the grandkids fun…

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  44. I wish I had read this last Friday! But sometimes I’m a little late to the party. I’m so very happy for you, and that 5-star review coming on the heels of such a great get-together must have sent you over the moon.

    I think a little laurel-resting is certainly in order. And have a beer while you’re at it!

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    • Can you believe that one of my writer students brought me a beautiful bottle of champagne? I’m saving it for something really special. Thanks Amy-I usually make sure that I’m always late to a party. That’s when the good stuff starts. 😊

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  49. I don’t have any laurels to rest on, Pamela, but I confess to doing my share of basking this summer. 🙂 🙂 It’s gone now, but it was wonderful while it lasted. Congratulations to you and thanks for finding time to visit mine. It sounds like a good plot.

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  50. Keep Basking.. that is what Summer Sun is all about.. And why not bask as you sit back on your laurels in your own achievements.. Wonderful that your book was named in the finalist of the International Book Awards.. How wonderful is that.. So sit back enjoy…… And wonderful that you got to speak and read your book that brought tears.. ❤
    Much Love.. ❤

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  53. Laurels galore for you, Pam and rightly so!! How typical that one’s neighbours have no idea of our writing – I love that you got to share your work at the soiree! A brilliant idea and it must have been wonderful to see their tears at the end of the reading – no doubt you soon had tears of your own to match theirs! Cogratulations on a great review … still one of the most memorable books I’ve read this year! Yep I’ve been resting a lot this summer … not on my laurels though. A couple of new projects which have been percolating away and slowly making inroads!

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  55. Basking indeed! It sounds like you had a wonderful summer. I feel blessed all the time that I have met such awesome people like you through my blog! I don’t think you will set on your laurels for long. There is too much creativity in you to do that! 😉

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