Today in Maine
Today I was supposed to be talking about books and about writing nonfiction at a school in Waterville, Maine. It’s about an hour away from my home in Portland.
I’m not speaking there because–well. You know why I’m not speaking there. I can’t quite bear to articulate why schools across Maine are closed for the second day in a row.
I wish I could say I’m shocked. Astonished. Enraged. I wish I could feel those things. Instead, what fills my mind is mostly a profound, enveloping weariness, and this poem. It’s called “On Getting out of Vietnam.”
Theseus, if he did destroy the Minotaur
(It’s hard to say, that may have been myth),
Was careful not to close the labyrinth.
So After kept on looking like Before:
Back home in Athens still the elders sent
Their quota of kids to Knossos, confident
they would find something to die of, and for.
I learned this by heart when I was a teenager in a summer writing program. Howard Nemerov, the author, was a guest speaker, a visiting writer. Which is what I’m supposed to be today, but I can’t. Because today’s After looks so much like Before.
A Sad Week
It’s hard to post today; when I lift my head from the work I’m doing, I’m overwhelmed with sadness and fear and a sense of the worst moments of our history repeating in front of our eyes.
I’m grateful in this moment for the books I read as I was growing up and in my adulthood that helped open my eyes and heart. Number the Stars by Lois Lowry. Habibi by Naomi Shihab Nye. And many more. If more of us read books like this, would the world be better, kinder, safer? I hope so.
New Book Deal!
I’m so happy to report that the book I’ve posted about a few times–full of delightful legendary creatures–will become a reality! My agent and editor are hashing out the details, but The Griffin’s Boy will be hitting the shelves in…oh…two years or so, if everything stays on track. (I know, the dizzying pace of modern publishing has you breathless.)
As well as the amphisbaena and wyvern and many others (including the ever-so-cute vegetable lambs and ferocious tiger lilies), it will feature, of course, a griffin. Can’t wait!
Taking a Break
Off on vacation this past week, so very little to post about, I’m afraid. Here’s where I was, and it was as lovely as it looked.
Read MoreSarah L. Thomson
A children’s book author publishing award-winning nonfiction, poetry, picture books and novels including…
“Thomson focuses on newfound connection, magic, and suspense to conjure a fast-paced, heartwarming mystery. Thomson’s world is populated by resourceful protagonists, fanciful creatures, and quirky supporting characters.”
—Publishers Weekly