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Logan Steiner's avatar

“Teaching myself to knit gave me a shot of confidence. To my surprise, while learning I found myself having the kind of fun that bubbles out of your chest. The experience helped me realize that I’d made writing into a chore and that the solution to my career crisis was to lighten up.” I keep learning a similar lesson. I also live near the Colorado mountains and love thinking of them as daily perspective givers. A great interview—thanks to you both!

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Jane Ratcliffe's avatar

I'm so happy you enjoyed it, Logan! I was really moved by that quote, as well. It's so true! And how lovely to live near mountains!!

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R.L. Maizes's avatar

So glad this spoke to you, Logan. I find I have to learn the most important lessons over and over. And yay Colorado mountains!

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Sue Ferrera's avatar

Beautiful reflections.

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Jane Ratcliffe's avatar

So glad you enjoyed it, Sue!

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R.L. Maizes's avatar

Thank you, Sue. I love the title of your Substack!

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Sue Ferrera's avatar

For a minute I thought I was seeing things. Funny that your first comment was "my book." The title of my Substack came from the title of my first book, I just changed the first word from Lessons to Tales. Thanks again.

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R.L. Maizes's avatar

How funny about the title!

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Sue Ferrera's avatar

Thank you so much!

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Carolyn Lake's avatar

Thank you for your heartwarming sharing! It leaves me smiling!

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Jane Ratcliffe's avatar

Ooooh, your comment makes me smile, Carolyn! So happy you enjoyed it!

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Randall Van Nostrand's avatar

This interview made me happy--thank you Jane and R.L. Maizes!

Looking forward to reading A Complete Fiction

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R.L. Maizes's avatar

It makes me really happy to hear that you enjoyed the interview, Randall. Thanks for sharing that.

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Jane Ratcliffe's avatar

That's wonderful, Randall! I'm so happy you enjoyed it. And I think you'll enjoy her book, as well!!

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Amy Brown's avatar

I loved getting to know Logan, and want to read her novels. I have pulled a novel I worked long and hard on from agent query trenches where it was getting little momentum. And I suspect there is a reinvention awaiting it. Logan’s experience gives me hope when she writes: ‘It was a risky idea—the best kind—and one that would either vastly improve the book or cause publishers to shake their heads. I spent six months rewriting the novel and then it sold in two weeks. ‘ congrats Logan for taking a risk and not giving up. I’m 65 and haven’t (yet) published a novel. It heartens me to see older writers succeeding.

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Jane Ratcliffe's avatar

I looooooved that, too, Amy! So inspiring and heartening. I took from it: Never give up and listen to your intuition! Wonderful news that you're revisiting your novel.

Also: The questionnaire is from R.L. not Logan. Logan wrote a beautiful comment and I think her name was pulled through into your comment. (I do things like that all the time!)

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Amy Brown's avatar

Thanks for the correction on the questionnaire’s correct author, apologies R.L.!

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R.L. Maizes's avatar

No apology needed! I knew what you meant.

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R.L. Maizes's avatar

Thanks, Amy! I love that you said you haven't published "yet." There's no age limit on creativity or success. Harriet Doerr published Stones from Ibarra, her incredible debut, when she was in her seventies. Lorna Page published her first novel in her nineties. We're spring chickens!

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Jane Ratcliffe's avatar

Hah. I love that!

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Amy Brown's avatar

More inspiration for late bloomers! Thank you R.L.!

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Paolo Peralta's avatar

Such inspiration! Such love! Cooking up a delish dish makes my chest bubble up

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Jane Ratcliffe's avatar

I'm so happy you enjoyed it, Paolo! And yes to delicious food!

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R.L. Maizes's avatar

So glad you enjoyed it, Paolo! What dish do you most like to make?

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