It’s always about the baked goods
This weekend is the two-year anniversary of my first published article in the Chicago Tribune. I’d been blogging and publishing in some ezines and a parenting mag or two but this was different. This was true validation. I’d worked with an editor who found me in a pile of emails and took a chance, who worked with me more closely than an editor before or since. I figure I’ll thank him in the credit of my book if it gets published. That and $2.50 will get him a cinnamon chip scone, I know.
This is also the anniversary of the best conversation ever about one of my stories or articles. Perhaps one of the best conversations ever about any story.
The article, which you can read here on page 12, is about holiday cookies. It’s about all different kinds of cookies that all different kind of people like as they celebrate all their different kinds of holidays in the festivity-laden month of December.
My friend told her mom that I was in the Trib. Her mom read the story, and this is the conversation that ensued.
“I read Amy’s article in the Trib,” said the mom.
“What did you think of it,” said the friend.
“I liked it very much, but I didn’t know that Amy was a baker.”
“She’s not, Mom,” said the friend. “She’s a writer.”
We laughed and laughed and as time passed this conversation did not fade from my memory. It’s that fine line between real and fake, between fiction and non-fiction, between a writer and his or her work. My published work to date has all been non-fiction, but it’s my public and creative interpretation of my own experiences.
And to complicate matters, or perhaps to bring things full circle, my current fictional WIP includes — you guessed it — a bakery.
Congratulations on your anniversary. Eat a baked good for me. The headline of my local paper says it’s the 75th anniversary of the repeal of prohibition today, so I’ll have a drink for you.
Congratulations. And I really want a cupcake now.
Mmm, can’t wait to dig into that literary bakery’s goods one day soon. Enjoyed the Rocky Horror article too. I have a kid by the same name and age as yours (or the one you made up) in that article.
You must have a passion for baking that finds its way into your writing? It seems readers really love food/baking/recipes built into writing, fiction and non. I think there’s something comforting about it, esp if it includes cookies, or cupcakes like the ones you show here! I like your outlook – a creative interpretation of your own experiences. Isn’t so much of writing just that, putting our own twist/insight on every day living. Congrats on your anniversary!
Congratulations Amy! Okay, first the turkey, now the cupcakes! I can already feel my thighs expanding.
That’s a great story. Congratulations on your anniversary!!
Congratulations! That’s such a great story.
Hah! That cracks me up. People really do assume, don’t they? What can you do?
Congratulations! And I’ve read every article you’ve posted since I met you. Sometimes, after clicking through, I forget to come back and tell you how much I enjoy them. You have a great personal touch with them, such a warm tone.