This charming and cheerful painting of tiger lilies is by French art blogger Carole Capo-Chichi. The colours are gorgeous, and the way the stamens hang down you feel you can almost touch the thick dusting of pollen on the anthers.
I love lilies, in all hues: the way they send out great waves of sweet, musky fragrance and can scent a room – though I can quite understand that some people find that a bit overwhelming. The freckled peachy-apricot tiger lilies have a more subtle perfume, and the flower is most often used as an essence in natural remedies. It is particularly recommended for calming and re-balancing, especially for women who need to overcome negativity and their own impatience, and interact successfully with others. It also helps with a tendency to cut oneself off socially.
Clearly, it’s a must-have for all lady writers… I find myself at that point that is the best and worst of times with a book, in the months leading up to publication. In so many ways this is the fun part: the manuscript of The Lantern has been through the careful collaborative editing stage at the publishers’ and now the covers are being designed and marketing strategies devised. I can’t wait to see early copies and be able to put the final cover images up on the sidebar here.
But with the excitement of anticipation comes a tingle of dread. This time, I’m being published for the first time in the US – by the mighty HarperCollins in New York – and I’ve changed publisher in the UK
When my first novel was published in 1994, I thought it would be achievement enough to see the book embossed with my name on bookshop shelves. Enough for me, I mean. But it never can be. The book has to sell well too, or there will be no more commissioned. As with so many aspects of life, the more you know, the more you know of the hurdles and recognize the pitfalls. So while I wait and hope, pass the tiger lily essence, please…
8 comments:
Thanks for stopping by my blog on Friday - I am so happy to meet you. The publishing journey must have been incredible for you, then and now, and I am going to be excited to read more about it.
I love lilies, personally - they really DO bring me to a tranquil and peaceful state of mind.
A lovely image, as always chez vous. This must be the nail-biting stage, where there is no more to do to the writing but everything to hope/fear for. I'm sure any fears are ill-founded, though.
Bon courage! And yes, tiger lily essence sounds like a good idea...that, and mental images of roaring success when your book hits the shores of the US!
Perhaps you could hang a sign on the door to your mind: Only.good.thoughts.allowed.
Looking forward to the next report on the journey!
I love to read excerpts of your book, so evocative. I'm sure it will be a great success and I'm looking forward to it!
I love lilies too but unfortunately their suave perfume makes me think of funerals because in my native Finland they used to be used exclusively at funerals; a real pity. I buy them, though because I find them so beautiful. in the same way I've been shocking people for years in France, using chrysanthemums on my window sill, though they are seen here as cemetery flowers.
but I didn't know about tiger lily essence, that's very interesting, i have to study that!
Really looking forward to reading your novel later in the year. Thanks for calling in at The Hungry Writer. Perhaps we'll get a chance to meet up some time!
Good luck! If your book is anything like your blog, I'm sure you do well. I love the serenity that's laced through the anxiety, the quietness behind the words.
Thank you all so much for your lovely words - they are much appreciated. This blog business is amazing for connecting with other like-minded souls, isn't it? I'm so delighted to be part of it at last instead of just an avid reader.
PS. Special thank you to Leslie @lafourchette for explaining how to post replies!
beautiful picture... love it
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