To be perfectly honest, since 2008, announcement day is bittersweet for me. I am thrilled that some other writer gets the fairy dust sprinkled on her or him, and I feel an immediate kinship. I am reminded of the many blessings my own Newbery Honor has brought, the sweetest of which is dear friendships with Jenni Holm, Cindy Lord and Susan Patron. And I will gladly share with the new honorees the wisdom bestowed upon me by Karen Cushman: "Practice saying no." Had I actually followed her advice, I'd be farther along in my long-overdue novel, but I'd have far fewer friends around the country. Unasked for, I know, but my advice to these Newberians is get busy on that next book! Also, wear really, really comfortable shoes to the banquet.
If I were to own up to all of the feelings surrounding this day, I'd have to add sadness. Each year's announcement makes me feel a bit like the dying monarch hearing the heralds proclaim, "The (old) King is dead; long live the (new) King!" Ah, well.
Long live: Rebecca, Phillip, Jacqueline, Grace and Rodman! Their lives will change dramatically after this morning's phone call -- I hope they enjoy every moment of the exhilarating ride!
Isn't it "once a Newbery King, always a Newbury King," however deposed? We common folk still regard you with awe.
ReplyDeleteOh, Faith, you darling! I owe you a latte!
ReplyDeleteI'm with Faith on this one. You will always be a Newbery Honor winner. That one stays with you for life.
ReplyDeleteAlso -- devil's advocate here -- saying yes to stuff -- saying yes to that wonderful year -- what an opportunity. A time to relish. A time to share with the readers who love your book. WOW. Good for you for relishing and saying yes sometimes. I hope this years' winners do the same -- at least enough.
Not to mention your more recent titles are pretty amazing. It doesn't seem to me that you've been slacking off any.
Don't forget that your more recent titles may not be Newbery books, but they are important books that are much beloved to kids everywhere. That is what is most important, no? I hope you wouldn't say otherwise to a bright-eyed two year old who loves Nubs and who's napping upstairs right now.
Plus, I just saw Nubs in Target?!? That's pretty sweet. I'd like to have a book I wrote doing so well...
Count lack and you come up with lack. Count your blessings, and you find them.
Keep up the great work, Kirby.
And blessings from Bellingham.
:)