WELCOME AUTHOR GAIL KITTLESON

WELCOME AUTHOR GAIL KITTLESON
1/18/2018 1:30:00 AM by: Patti Shene

FEATUERED BOOK: Catching Up with Daylight

AUTHOR: Gail KIttleson

PUBLISHER: WhiteFire Publishing

GENRE: Memoir

SERIES OR STAND ALONE: Stand alone

TARGET AGE: Adult

IT IS MY PLEASURE TO WELCOME AUTHOR GAIL KITTLESON TO THE OVER 50 WRITER. INSPIRED BY THE WORDS OF A FRIEND, GAIL REFLECTS ON THE HUMOR, THE SADNESS, AND THE DIGNITY OF AGING.

WHITEFIRE PUBLISHING IS OFFERING A GIVEAWAY! SIMPLY LEAVE A COMMENT BELOW TO ENTER THE DRAWING FOR WINNER’S CHOICE OF A PRINT OR EBOOK COPY OF CATCHING UP WITH DAYLIGHT.

REFLECTIONS ON THE MUSINGS OF A FRIEND

Gail Kittleson

The other day, my friend reflected on aging in an e-mail. Her writing shows an incredible sense of humor and almost always makes me smile or produces an LOL moment. But this time, a note of sadness rode between the lines:

As the Jane I remember best slips away, the Jane I've always thought to be becomes more prominent, more accessible. I like her better, but I doubt anyone else does. She wears cowboy boots over her jeans and gaudy jewelry, her husband's shirts and an oversized purse.
As her hearing deteriorates, she smiles like she knows something. This new old silence is warm and welcoming in a world striving to be contentious. She doesn't know she uses the wrong word unless someone interrupts the monologue to tell her. Well! Can't they add 2 + 2 and at least try to come up w/ 5?
The best part of Jane’s day is sometimes her goodnight dreams.

Note the positives here. Being silent can be a remarkable gift in a noisy world. And making errors, perhaps, isn’t as horrible as we once thought. Once, we made a goal of being right, but life has taught us to avoid that dead-end road.

On closer look, through these short paragraphs runs another note—a tinge of dignity. Jane is who she is. She does her best and has no need to build her world around the misunderstandings of others. She’s not apologizing for her shortcomings, and victimhood has lost its appeal.

Appeal? Yes, as we age, if we’re fortunate, we arrive at a plateau where we can look back and see some emotional gain from our pity parties of old. We didn’t see it then, but blaming others in the never-ending struggle provided us a little comfort.

What about those goodnight dreams? Jane points to the quiet time of evening, when we figure we’ve done all we can do for the day. Then, we reflect on the bright moments we experienced, the smiles and plusses on our platters.

Maybe we accomplished less than we planned, but at least we accomplished something. At least we come to this pause in the day’s activity in peace. Maybe that’s because we’ve gradually begun to accept ourselves, and even to lower our expectations a bit.

Above all, this friend of mine is still writing—even in this brief e-mail, she coins intriguing phrases—smiles like she knows something...this new old silence. Don’t these short strings of words touch your heart and pique your literary sense? This New Old Silence—might make a good title for a book some day, eh?

I take my friend’s insights as a gift, a very special one full of thoughtfulness and wisdom. She’s been a faithful witness to my own writing journey, always encouraging, always good-natured, always positive.

We met about ten years ago at a writing conference, before any publisher had looked my way with serious intent, before I’d learned some hard lessons. And before some critical health concerns made writing way beyond difficult for Jane.

Yet she keeps on. Her novel, absolutely replete with originality and characters that truly grab you by the heartstrings, may never see publication. I’m not being negative—I still hope that readers everywhere will get a chance to fall in love with the remarkable world she is creating.

Yes, she’s still at it, and every once in a while, sends a new scene my way. I never fail to marvel at her way with words and her unique down-home humor.

But even if her story never falls into loving readers’ hands, she’s writing—that’s what counts. If there’s anything all these years of applying myself to the discipline of writing has taught me, it’s that.

DON’T FORGET TO LEAVE A COMMENT TO BE PLACED IN THE DRAWING TO WIN A PRINT OR EBOOK COPY OF CATCHING UP WITH DAYLIGHT BETWEEN NOW AND SUNDAY, JANUARY 28TH AT MIDNIGHT MST. (US citizens only eligible for print giveaway).

When Gail Kittleson is not steeped in World War II research, drafting scenes, or deep in an edit, she does a limited amount of editing for other authors. She also facilitates writing and creativity workshops, both in Iowa and Arizona, where she and her husband spend part of the winter in the amazing Ponderosa pine forest under the Mogollon Rim. Favorites: walking, reading, meeting new people, hearing from readers who fall in love with her characters.

Connect with Gail online:

Comments

Connie Saunders From Kentucky At 1/28/2018 7:27:17 PM

Thanks for sharing these poignant words. In my mind I am perhaps in my 30s and then, the reflection in my mirror taunts me with a body that can't possibly belong to me! But then, my reasonable self reminds me that I am still mobile and am still thinking sanely for the most part! It could be worse!

Reply by: Patti Shene

Hi Connie. I know just where you are coming from. Thank you so much for stopping by and sharing with us.

Gail Kittleson From Iowa At 1/21/2018 12:45:57 PM

Hello to Sarah, Elaine, and Leslie. We're all in this aging thing together, right? I'm so glad for so many friends, online and otherwise--to take this path with me. Thanks for taking the time to stop here and comment. If you read my memoir, I so agree with that word "dignity" one of you used. THank.

Sarah Lynn Phillips From North East PA At 1/20/2018 6:56:05 PM

This book sounds intriguing . . . and relevant. Being part of the "over 50" crowd, I'm eager to embrace another season and want nothing more than to finish well. Blessings to you!

Reply by: Patti Shene

Hi Sarah. That sounds like a wonderful over 50 goal, and I'm sure you will achieve it. Thank you for sharing with us.

Elaine Miller From New York At 1/20/2018 6:04:00 PM

Thanks for the sweet encouragement to keep writing! I love it. Will do. Will do. May the Lord bless your book with many readers whose lives grow in laughter and dignity.

Reply by: Patti Shene

Hi Elaine. I have found Gail to be an amazing encourager since meeting up with her in cyberspace. Thank you for stopping by and leaving a message for Gail.

Leslie E Smith From KS At 1/20/2018 1:33:38 AM

I have known Gail for many years, but recently reconnected. I am looking forward to reading her books!

Reply by: Patti Shene

Hi Leslie. So glad you and Gail were able to reconnect. Thank you for stopping by and letting us know you were here.

Gail Kittleson From Iowa At 1/19/2018 11:23:12 PM

Hello again, I've been gone most of the day again, and am so glad to see that Ann, Becky, Rory, JW, Norma Gail and the others (whose names I can't see now that I'm writing a comment)have stopped in here. Thank you everybody, for your interest and support. Grateful for you all!

Ann Ellison From Abilene Texas At 1/19/2018 5:04:30 PM

Loved this post. I am a big fan of Gail's books.

Reply by: Patti Shene

Hi Ann. Thank you so much for stopping by and letting us know you were here.

Rory Lynn Lemond From Michigan At 1/19/2018 3:11:10 PM

I loved this look at old age..yes growing older seems to tell us why did we worry so? Was it all worth it? We can key some things go who really cares after all. It is freeing..I would love to gave a chance at this noteworthy book. thanks

Reply by: Patti Shene

HI Rory. Yes if we had spent all of those hours of worry doing something productive, our lives might look quite different! Thank you so much for stopping by and sharing your thoughts. Hope the drawing goes well for you!

Norma Gail From New Mexico At 1/19/2018 1:38:47 PM

My husband and I had dinner with Gail and Lance when they passed through on their way to Arizona. We already knew we clicked as writers through email. Now we know we Click in person too! I love her writing!

Reply by: Patti Shene

Hi Norma. How fortunate that you had the opportunity to meet Gail in person. I hope to soon as well, as we have been cyberfrineds for quite some time now. Thank you for sharing with us.

Terry May Marsh From Delaware At 1/19/2018 12:41:14 PM

I've had the recent privilege of meeting Gail and I'm delighted to have this opportunity to engage her writing style and to be encouraged by her winsome, carefree thoughts. Thank you for this. It left me wanting more...

Reply by: Patti Shene

HI Terry. So glad you stopped by and enjoyed Gail's post. Thank you for leaving a comment.

Becky Smith From MO At 1/19/2018 11:30:39 AM

I so enjoy these posts about Gail and her books! And the quote from Jane is very heart-touching! Wonderful post!

Reply by: Patti Shene

Hi Becky. Yes, Gail has so much to say with her writing, and the way she gave such insight to Jane's words is so inspirational. Thank you for stopping by.

JKWells From CO, TX, WY At 1/19/2018 1:18:10 AM

As always when I read your writing, Gail, I marvel at how you challenge my complacency. I appreciate your emotional candor. I appreciate you! Thank you, friend.

Reply by: Patti Shene

Hi JK. "I marvel at how you challenge my complacency." Wow, what a wonderful compliment to an author and a friend. Thank you for stopping by.

Gail Kittleson From iowa At 1/18/2018 8:01:20 PM

Patti, thanks so much for hosting me today. Jerolyn, I will relay your message for sure. Thanks for stopping here. And Vivian, so nice to meet someone else who shares my WWII interest! I'm late checking in today b/c I was facilitating a memoir-writing workshop...would you believe?!

Reply by: Patti Shene

Wow, Gail, that's pretty neat! I've been gone much of the day today as well, so am late approving some of the comments. It's always a pleasure to hos you on the site. Thank you for sharing your inspiring and thought-provoking post with my readers.