Thursday, February 23, 2012

Carrie Clevenger – Letter from a Friend


In her letter, Carrie Clevenger mentions that I am an inspiration to her but, Carrie dahling, you've got things all twisted and screwed up here. 

YOU are the inspiration to me. 

Who's about to publish book number three while I struggle with number one?

Who continues to put out a new Friday Flash short story, every week, on top of editing a novel and working at a job that pays bills, not to mention being a wife and a mother? 

Who has a cool tattoo?

Carrie is, without a doubt, one of my favourite writers on the Friday Flash circuit. Her words are built strong, like railroad tracks laid down in rocky slag – never too many, never too few, all connected to lead the reader to a place Carrie wants you to see. The destination is always different but it never lacks soul. She makes writing look easy, Carrie does, and to me that's the best kind. You never get pulled out of the story, you never have to cheer her along; you just lose yourself in the words.

I have read two of Carrie's books, Just My Blood Type and Blood and Fire (both collaborations with another talented writer, Nerine Dorman). Read maybe isn't the right word because I whipped through them; they were that good. And like all fans of the Clevenger, I am waiting impatiently for the August 2012 release of Crooked Fang. Like everything Carrie does, I know it will be outstanding. 

Some day, when she's a household name, I'm gonna be able to say I once got a letter from her – a letter from a friend.


Dear Cathy: 

I can’t remember the last time I wrote an actual letter.

It’s 2012, that year that everyone has been talking about since they figured out that it could quite possibly be the end of the world. Am I concerned? Not really. Every other date which was sworn to be The End has come and gone, and we’re either left looking incredibly foolish or jaded, I can’t decide which.

I’m double-working, working on work-work, and this letter. A Perfect Circle is playing tonight on loop because it seemed just right to listen to. I wake up with music in my head more often than not. I blame Xan Marcelles for that recent development. Speaking of which, I’m in the real-time edits for Crooked Fang, and I can’t believe I’m about to join the ranks of other novelists out there. I really did it. It’s going to be published and out in the big wide world, and people will love it, and hate it, and I will face one of my greatest fears: receiving attention from people.

I’m a wallflower, always have been. Ever since I was that nerdy girl in school whom no one deemed cool enough to be seen with, to the point that I said ‘fuck it’ and did my own thing, fed-up with the whole trying to fit in with everyone else thing. It happens. Childhood is rarely a full beam of sunshine, but it does build character, for better or worse, and it’s important for me to remember that every day in my life with my daughter.

I’ve been reading lately. My latest read is American Gods, by Neil Gaiman. I wish I hadn’t hesitated so long before trying a new author. I tend to stay loyal to who has always written the fail-safe stuff. It’s like that with a lot of factors in my life. I’m somewhat of a shut-in, and I get teased by Luke, my husband, whenever I get dressed up to actually leave the house.

It’s been a good year so far. I’m hoping to take a trip to Colorado sometime soon, in order to see the area I describe in Crooked Fang which is Pinecliffe. It looks beautiful in the pictures I’ve found online.

I bought a bag of cooked shrimp on sale at Target last week. I wanted to do a stir-fry, but I’m afraid I’ll ruin it. So the shrimp has gone bad in my fridge, due to my reluctance. It’s a symbol, I think. To try new things and not be afraid to make mistakes. I try not to. But I still do.

I hope this letter finds you well, Cathy. You are always such an inspiration to me. Good luck with your cataract surgery.

Kind regards,

Carrie

34 comments:

  1. Thank you for the sweetest sentiment. Cathy, I love you dear. xx

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  2. Oh, and I looooove 3 Libras. You're just wonderful!

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  3. Great letter! You are both tops in my book.

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  4. You look great in glasses, Carrie! And you wrote such a lovely letter. I think that those vile kids in school were JEALOUS because, deep down, they knew they could never be as cool as you.

    Thanks to both of you for this post.

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    1. You're totally right about Carrie's coolness, Marisa. Way too cool for skule.

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    2. Cathy asked for a never before published picture. So I figured I'd show me not all snazzed up. Still hiding though. ;)

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  5. So glad to see you're reading Neil Baby's AMERICAN GODS. I'm due for a reread soon.

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  6. I remember days like that at school - I was never one of the 'cool kids' ( to my mind they're overrated) I generally was regarded as an 'also-ran' by other students and teachers alike - apart from one English teacher and one Art teacher, who could see there was perhaps a nugget of something interesting trapped inside.
    Carrie - I have really enjoyed your letter, go you! I will ve looking out for your books! :-)

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    1. Also- ran! *puts hand up* I think the cool kids are too busy being cool to suffer enough angst to become proper writers.

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    2. Thanks Sue, appreciate your time. :)

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  7. She sounds like a character! And glad she's reading Neil Gaiman now.

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    1. Carrie's an awesome writer... you must check out her blog, Alex!

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    2. I am a character! No, not really. ;)

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  8. A real letter is a treasure. How lovely.

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  9. Cathy: Good description of Carrie's work.

    Carrie: I've been out of Friday Flash for a little while, but you were always one of my favorites too. I'm in line for 'Crooked Fang'.

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    1. Mark, I'd wondered what had happened to you. Pleased to have your eyeballs on my words. xx

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  10. Cathy: You are such a wonderful friend. Your introductions each week make my long to know the person you have described. Each and every one of them has indeed been a joy. Thankyou.

    Carrie: Wow. A nerd who succeeded in her chosen endeavours. As someone who did not ever belong to the in crowd, it took me a very long time to stop trying to your words resonated. Thank you for taking time out of your very busy life to write to Cathy and to us.

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    1. Yeah I stopped trying to connect with the outside world and focused on reading books instead. That was, until I hit my later teens. ;)

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  11. I may not have written a proper letter since back in high school, applying for colleges. The electric generations changed things, so I can sympathize. Hope Carrie's enjoying American Gods - it does seem up her alley.

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    1. It was really weird to write a letter again! Thank you John. :)

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  12. Carrie's a great writer. She deserves every success with Crooked Fang.

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  13. Yes, Carrie is awesome! Take your "fuck it" attitude and create BIG with it! (Leave the spoiled shrimp out of the mix, though)

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  14. Carrie, I can't believe you were a nerdy kid in school--you always intimidate me a bit with your coolness/hipness. Love this exchange, and getting to know the woman behind the words on #fridayflash, words that always amaze and sometimes terrify and always astound.

    Fuck the shrimp. You learned from them, now go buy some lobster tails and do some stir-fry! Peace...

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  15. It's wonderful that you shared the friendship between you two.

    Is there anyone who remembers high school fondly? I wasn't a nerd. I would call myself a shadow.

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How's it going, eh? It's SO good to hear from you. Tell me every darn thing...