Tuesday, October 11, 2011

How Sara Zarr Changed (saved) My Life. Revisited. And How to Save a Life Giveaway.

     This is a re-post. Because this is why I'm giving away  How to Save a Life.

 This is a true story.
     I don't think Sara knows it, though.
     So I'm working on a novel, and my crit partner said that I needed to read this book, Once Was Lost, by Sara Zarr. At the time I didn't know anything about Sara Zarr. But my crit partner is really smart and gifted, so I usually take her advice. So I bought the book.
And I read it in one sitting, in one night, and a school night to boot.
     And I thought about it, and kept thinking about it, because it isn't just what Sara writes its something about her How. How she writes. And I couldn't put words to the How, but I knew I liked it a lot.
     And when I read this book I was in Hard Times. You know. We've all been there.
     And then I signed up for a Children's Writing Conference. I admit, I wasn't really sure if I belonged there. I was nervous and full of self-doubt and glad I was Doing Something With My Writing.
     Being new to the conference scene, I didn't check out the faculty. I just showed up. And I get my schedule of crit groups. And I also get a fifteen minute session with a faculty member to go over my query.
     And my eyes just about fell out of my head. Because my query time is with Sara Zarr.
     I don't know anyone at the conference. My heart is pounding. I run outside and call my husband, and I say, "I'm going to meet Sara Zarr." And my husband, who is an architect who reads architect-y stuff, says, "Who?" And so I tell him--remember when I stayed up and read that book? And he kind of does. But he does get that I am thrilled and excited. And nervous.
     So I do my crit groups, which were great, and I stay up really late revising, and periodically the thought "I'm going to meet Sara Zarr" pops into my head and I just know I blanked out and stared at stuff for a minute or two each time.
     So as my time nears I have a folder with my query letter, and I'm pacing, and my stomach is all kerfuffled.
     And then it's time and I Meet Sara Zarr.
     I almost cried.
     And we talked about my book and her books and she was this real, amazing human being and when I left the meeting my head was spinning.
     I called my dad. "I met Sara Zarr."
     I called my mom. "I met Sara Zarr."
     At this point, if you are still reading, you might be thinking I'm a little crazy.
     I don't think I'm crazy. I think I'm grateful.
     Because Meeting Sara Zarr meant a lot to me. Here is this writer whose books are like Vermeer paintings. Quiet, intense, full of light and jewel tones and real life.   And I don't cry a lot, but Story of a Girl had me crying because of the story and the joy of reading the story.
     And I periodically look at my husband and say, "I met Sara Zarr." Full of wonder, still.
     So yeah, Meeting Sara Zarr changed my life because when I get bogged down I remember her and Vermeer and my spirit feels renewed.
     And Sara's new book, How to Save a Life, is coming out October 18. And somehow that title seems apropos to me, because sometimes changing a life means saving it.
     Thanks, Sara.

9 comments:

  1. I didn't know you were working on a book. That's wonderful. May I ask what it's about? In general terms.

    Also, now I most certainly need to read Sara Zarr.

    Thanks for sharing!
    Non

    ReplyDelete
  2. Non, thank you as always for your comment.
    I write about broken things. Mnemosyne and Persephone and lullabies.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Sounds fascinating. Looking forward to reading it some day!

    ReplyDelete
  4. That's great that you were able to meet her. I think meeting the author sometimes makes the book even better, because you get a sense of the author who wrote it and where they were coming from. Did you get good feedback?

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hi Jess. I agree; meeting her was a real Event for me. She gave me some amazing feedback. I will always be indebted to her.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I have all of Sara Zarr's books and your critique partners are so right - Sara's books are books you should have in your home library to study voice. Sara is very awesome - she came to my book club and talked about Once Was Lost with us - that's how awesome she is.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I love it when meeting an author turns out awesome. I try not to expect too much because I worry that I might be disappointed. I mean this "author," whom I love and have had many imaginary conversations with, may not actually remember the oh so many hilarious/witty remarks I have made because, well, those were also imaginary.

    ReplyDelete
  8. great story! it sounds like i really need to read some sara zarr. there have been a few authors in my life who i feel that way about (telling my hubs, friends, etc., and they're like "who?")

    ReplyDelete
  9. Serendipity at work again? I think so.

    ReplyDelete