Thanks, Micah! I'm glad you can resonate with the awesome-factor of this group of beta readers! Man, they are so good. Thanks for cheering me on, friend!
congratulations on the book deal! So cool. Also, the walking tour sounds amazing. We celebrated 20 years this year too and spent it in San Sebastián, Spain and in a few stops along the Brittany way in France.
Hey, thanks Brooke! And congrats to you and Tim on your 20th! It seems weird, right? Like, how did this much life happen??? And now I'm going to go look up San Sebastian, Spain...
I have that exact same copy of LOTR. Is this your first reading??? Beyond thrilled for you in more ways than one ....but mostly the Middle Earth one. ;)
Thank you, Reagan!!! That copy of LOTR has served our family well. It's not my first reading, but it's been a number of years. I needed a book that 1. Wouldn't disappoint. 2. Would be enough material to last me the whole trip. (Nothing worse than finishing a book on vacation and not having anything to read.) And 3. Would match the timbre of our travels. I mean, come on, we were literally IN the Shire!!!
Highly appreciate the solidity of those reasons. Mid-trip book bereavement is real. I'm bringing a stack with me to Alaska next week. I shall report back on timbre results.
Truly overjoyed at the Holy Spirit's clear call: WRITE WOMAN.
Whoa, Alaska??? Yes, ma'am, I'll be looking forward to your post about it! And boy, am I ever sad I missed you at the Habit retreat! I was just so, so, so aware that whole weekend of every pivot point in your schedule!
Haha, thanks, Sophie! Congrats on your own IVP release--you're so cool!!! As for my British films, it was The Other Bennett Sister, though I only have the first 7 episodes available to me. And then, in mild desperation due to the unresolved adventures of Mary Bennett, I pivoted into the BBC version of Emma. I'd never seen that version before, and it immediately supplanted EVERY OTHER VERSION. The open-heartedness with which the lead actress portrayed Emma allowed me to truly love her and root for her character development in a way I hadn't experienced with the other versions. Sigh.
Thank you, Carly!!! I know the writerly life won't always be so dreamy...even today, it's back to embracing the slow, steady WORK. But I'm thankful for the peaks when they come! Glad to have you back home in Nashville, friend!
Congrats on signing that second book deal, Kate! That sticker is legit. So proud to be part of your Feedback Team. Even prouder to call someone as wise and thoughtful as you my friend.
P.S. "Kiki's Delivery Service" and "Sense & Sensibility" (of course the Emma Thompson version) are two of my all-time favorite films. Well done.
Heather, how do we continue to be the same person??? A couple of nerdy homeschoolers who share a mildly-traumatic debate team history, love for writing, romantic view of the world, AND Emma Thompson? So thankful we found each other, friend!!!
Thank you, Elizabeth! Your support, encouragement, and deep attentiveness are a gift.
And I know, NO OVERALLS??? Get with the program, Kate! I think it boils down to the fact that I'd never be unselfconscious enough to wear them without being all, like, "Oh, these old things? I hardly even noticed I was wearing them..."
Congratulations Kate!! Can't wait to read more. (Neither here nor there, but as I clicked on your "best pizza ever" link the intrusive thought arose that I would be shortly taken to Domino's website. The highbrow/lowbrow spirit in me honors you)
Oh, thank you, Berit! And thanks for clicking my links, woman. You've just given me an excellent idea for my next post in which I only link dreadfully mundane things...heh, heh...
Thank you, Erin! The fact that you continue to support and encourage me after having access to all my weird personality quirks from Janice makes my day, ha!
What a dream feedback team! Hearty echos as to their overwhelming awesomeness. Keep up the good work, my friend.
Thanks, Micah! I'm glad you can resonate with the awesome-factor of this group of beta readers! Man, they are so good. Thanks for cheering me on, friend!
“I often find myself wondering how is this even happening? How is this my life?” Ditto. 💯
What a dream team! You’re so cool, Kate. 😎 Love the titles! Cheering you on with both of these books!
Thank you, Rachel, that means a lot coming from you--THE Rachel Donahue!!! Your support and encouragement sinks deep.
☺️
So much exciting news! And entertaining glimpses into your birthday (and everyday life)! So fun.
Thanks, Tim! I appreciate you!!!
Applause, applause, applause! I love everything about this post. And both your book titles are wonderful!
Andi! Thank you so much!!! And my deep gratitude to you for teaching me your winsome ways!
congratulations on the book deal! So cool. Also, the walking tour sounds amazing. We celebrated 20 years this year too and spent it in San Sebastián, Spain and in a few stops along the Brittany way in France.
Hey, thanks Brooke! And congrats to you and Tim on your 20th! It seems weird, right? Like, how did this much life happen??? And now I'm going to go look up San Sebastian, Spain...
Completely agree. It’s crazy.
What exactly is the duckbilled platypus optimized for other than comedy and curiosity?
Maybe that’s it?
I think you called it, Jason. Comedy. Or perhaps God's whimsy???
As if God said “hey - look what I can do”
Precisely.
I have that exact same copy of LOTR. Is this your first reading??? Beyond thrilled for you in more ways than one ....but mostly the Middle Earth one. ;)
Thank you, Reagan!!! That copy of LOTR has served our family well. It's not my first reading, but it's been a number of years. I needed a book that 1. Wouldn't disappoint. 2. Would be enough material to last me the whole trip. (Nothing worse than finishing a book on vacation and not having anything to read.) And 3. Would match the timbre of our travels. I mean, come on, we were literally IN the Shire!!!
Highly appreciate the solidity of those reasons. Mid-trip book bereavement is real. I'm bringing a stack with me to Alaska next week. I shall report back on timbre results.
Truly overjoyed at the Holy Spirit's clear call: WRITE WOMAN.
Whoa, Alaska??? Yes, ma'am, I'll be looking forward to your post about it! And boy, am I ever sad I missed you at the Habit retreat! I was just so, so, so aware that whole weekend of every pivot point in your schedule!
Only you and *half* of the Dreamteam were missed! May winter reunite us all.
Yesss! Congrats! This is huge! 😍 Also do tell, what British period films are currently tickling your fancy?
Haha, thanks, Sophie! Congrats on your own IVP release--you're so cool!!! As for my British films, it was The Other Bennett Sister, though I only have the first 7 episodes available to me. And then, in mild desperation due to the unresolved adventures of Mary Bennett, I pivoted into the BBC version of Emma. I'd never seen that version before, and it immediately supplanted EVERY OTHER VERSION. The open-heartedness with which the lead actress portrayed Emma allowed me to truly love her and root for her character development in a way I hadn't experienced with the other versions. Sigh.
Yesss THE OTHER BENNET SISTER is my new FAVE! It’s so well done. The yearning, the personal growth arc, it’s gorgeous.
And the BBC Emma is that the one from 2020 with Jonny Flynn as Mr Knightley??
I had to look up when Emma was filmed--holy smokes!--it was 2009! An AGE ago! Jonny Lee Miller was Mr. Knightley, Romola Garai was Emma.
This is the best series of updates! I'm so excited for you, Kate! I mean TWO BOOKS! AND the Yorkshire Dales.
Thank you, Carly!!! I know the writerly life won't always be so dreamy...even today, it's back to embracing the slow, steady WORK. But I'm thankful for the peaks when they come! Glad to have you back home in Nashville, friend!
Congrats on signing that second book deal, Kate! That sticker is legit. So proud to be part of your Feedback Team. Even prouder to call someone as wise and thoughtful as you my friend.
P.S. "Kiki's Delivery Service" and "Sense & Sensibility" (of course the Emma Thompson version) are two of my all-time favorite films. Well done.
Heather, how do we continue to be the same person??? A couple of nerdy homeschoolers who share a mildly-traumatic debate team history, love for writing, romantic view of the world, AND Emma Thompson? So thankful we found each other, friend!!!
❤️❤️❤️
Kate!! Another book!? And all of this without overalls even? I’m so grateful you exist and that you keep bringing beautiful things into the world.
Thank you, Elizabeth! Your support, encouragement, and deep attentiveness are a gift.
And I know, NO OVERALLS??? Get with the program, Kate! I think it boils down to the fact that I'd never be unselfconscious enough to wear them without being all, like, "Oh, these old things? I hardly even noticed I was wearing them..."
Congratulations Kate!! Can't wait to read more. (Neither here nor there, but as I clicked on your "best pizza ever" link the intrusive thought arose that I would be shortly taken to Domino's website. The highbrow/lowbrow spirit in me honors you)
Oh, thank you, Berit! And thanks for clicking my links, woman. You've just given me an excellent idea for my next post in which I only link dreadfully mundane things...heh, heh...
Congratulations on the books! I can't wait to read them, especially that motherhood one
Why, thank you, Renee! I appreciate your encouragement!
Thanks, Pa. 🥹
*continues sustained eye contact while tears glisten in eyes but never spill over*
This is amazing news—congratulations, Kate! 🎉
Thank you, Erin! The fact that you continue to support and encourage me after having access to all my weird personality quirks from Janice makes my day, ha!
Congratulations! Happy Birthday and may it be a blessed year!