In a sense, it took me decades to write The Brevity of Roses. No, it’s not a memoir I had to live before writing. It’s not a non-fiction work on my thirty years in Antarctica. It’s a novel. And not a particularly challenging novel to write. It took me that long to get to the “place” where I could write.
I reached adulthood during the second wave of feminism—the “Women’s Liberation” movement of the 1960s-1980s. But I was too involved in getting married and having babies to pay much attention to it. I had made the choices those women were questioning. I wanted to fully embrace the roles they thought I should rebel against—or question, at the very least.
As women around me put their children in childcare and sought other careers, I delighted in being a full-time wife and mother. Though I complained of constant exhaustion, I loved my life. It was hard. There was never enough money, but we survived. And judging by how they turned out, I think I did a darned good job raising my sons.
What I did not do, is take much time for myself. As I said in a previous post, I spent a LOT of time reading during those years. That was my schooling, my grand “filling up” period. That’s when the idea that resulted in my becoming a published novelist came to me. Not that I realized it at the time.
Before I knew it, my role changed. My children had grown into independence. I had time on my hands. One day, a few second’s encounter in a mini-mart sparked a question. That question sparked the idea that had gestated all those years. I could write a book. And so, it began.
What did my book popping up on Amazon last week signify? It was proof of my personal “liberation.” I no longer thought of myself only as Wife or Mom. It was also evidence of my selfishness. I had put myself first, done something just for me. Sure, it looked like an ordinary novel, but it was a declaration. I am Linda. Hear me roar.
Photo credit: http://brrb.deviantart.com/
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Linda Cassidy Lewis 
Hi Linda,
Just bought your book and it’s popping up on my Kindle as I’m writing this. Looking forward to reading it. Congratulations on fulfilling your dream!
Christa
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Thank you, Christa. Yours is on mine, but I haven’t had a chance to start it yet. Too little time to read lately. I know, MAKE time. 😉
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Love, love, love, love this post!!!
I’m hearing you all the way in Montreal 🙂
I’m always amazed by the amount of women who talk about the scarifices they make to stay home and raise their chidren. For me, staying home with the babies is a choice, one I feel priviledges to be able to make. There is nothing else I’d rather be doing. Yet, I know that there are other parts of me, just as you so elequontly say here, Linda.
I remember the first time I did a submission without writing that I was a wife and mother on it – felt so weird. They are a part of everything. But, being a writer, that’s all about me, even if they have helped shaped that.
Congratulations, Linda. I love seeing you out there!
🙂
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Thank you, Jennifer. Me too, never a sacrifice, always a choice. Now, I’ve made a new choice. It’s still weird to think of myself as an author though. Writer, yes, but published author … who me? 😀
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Yes you!!!
🙂
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Linda, I have a new cover and just discovered a couple of those pesky spelling errors. I have a new Kindle (.mob) version available and can send it to you. You can just copy it over your version. Send me an email at cpolkinhorn(at)msn(dot)com.
I had it edited, I keep proofreading, but read right over those things. Argghh.
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I noticed a different cover on your site. I’ll email you. Thanks. 🙂
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Congrats! So often women long to break out of their traditional roles and find their voices. You are an inspiration.
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Thank you, osmiunmatidote. I know I’m only one small voice in a sea of them, but it feels good to speak out.
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And your roar is beautiful! I’ve truly enjoyed watching you on this self-publishing journey, and I’ll bet your journey writing the book was beautiful, too. I’m trying to write as I raise a child, and it’s really difficult. I’m happy with what I’ve accomplished, but sometimes I wonder if I’ll hit my real stride when she’s older and I can come more into myself like you’ve described here. Guess we’ll see! Thanks for sharing this. It makes me want to read your book even more. 🙂
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Thank you, Michelle. I can’t imagine what you’ll write when you have more time to do it. 🙂
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