
I'm looking forward to seeing the new cover, writing an updated author biography, having new photos taken, bracing for a book launch. But I understand afresh what Fitzgerald meant when he wrote how Gatsby must have suddenly seen "how raw the sunlight was upon the scarcely created grass." Reality can be a hard place.
In my years of disillusionment, I used to write down and re-read quotes from that book. Years later, I see all around me that we all have baggage we must deal with, realities we must face and still carry on. And as someone once told me, it's what you do next that counts.
My library hosted Tom Ryan (Nova Scotia author) last May. A student asked him, "What's your favourite book?" and he answered, "The one I'm working on. I always have to look ahead." He's younger than I am, but I'm taking his advice.
I'll let you know what's up with the next book when it's less "scarcely created."