Happy Landings is getting a good polish on the way to its final form. Today, you can help.
So far, I’ve let the content and my own experience with Emilie Loring guide me, and I feel happy about the result. Some parts were written so long ago that they seem new as I read them, and I think, “Hey, that’s interesting! I like that part!” Sometimes, I wonder, “How did I know all of that?” It appears that I’ll have as much fun as the rest of you when the book comes out.
That’s what I’d like to visit with you about today, and when I say, “visit with,” I really do mean a conversation instead of a one-way presentation.
Until now, I have paid full heed to Emilie’s advice:
I can’t imagine anything more destructive to spontaneity and inventiveness than to create with one ear of the mind turned inward to listen to the imagination and the other outward to listen to the reading public.
I have also fully ignored commentary on the book’s genre, literary biography.
In The Impossible Craft, Scott Donaldson explores the rocky territory of literary biography, the most difficult that biographers try to navigate.
Penn State University Press
Oh great. “The most difficult,” and I take it on as a newbie.
It has been hard, for sure, but I’ve liked the challenge. I don’t mind taking “the road less traveled” in intellectual pursuits, and I rather enjoy navigating the tricky parts to come up with my own solutions for them. I’m a designer at heart, and it’s been fun to curate the elements and shape Happy Landings.
Now, though, as I am editing, I am curious about your hopes for the book. Many of you have read Emilie Loring’s books as long as I have, and you have followed this blog since its inception. Some of you have contributed comments, guest posts, or private messages. What do you hope to find when you open Happy Landings?
The book is written, and I’m not going back to change anything big (My family would have me committed, if I did!), but I can tweak it here and there. If you have particular questions you want answered, will you let me know? When Happy Landings sits on your shelf, what do you hope will be inside?
Write to me in the comments section below or via email (contact@pattibender.com). Please do. I’m so curious about what you will say!
Until next time, happy landings, everyone!
The Emilie Loring Collection 
I cannot wait for this bio to come out. At one time, I considered penning one of my own, but since I live in the South, it would have been extremely difficult for me to travel to New England. Then life got in the way and I was thrilled to learn someone was pursuing my “dream.” In her books, her heroines were very patriotic. I would assume that Emilie herself was a very patriotic person. Did she participate in any special activities celebrating the US? Her heroines were also “Renaissance” women with great abilities in languages, music, and practical skills. Was she also multi-talented? Thanks for your hard work and dedication. Can’t wait.
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I sure understand life intervening! This project has spanned far more years than I would have thought possible. It is a relief to be nearing the end–although getting a book ready for printing is no small task, either. Emilie participated in activities to support the war effort, especially during WWI but also for WWII. And yes, she was definitely multi-talented! You might already guess some of her interests from reading Hilltops Clear. I wish I had more photos of her other creations.
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I am thoroughly excited to read Happy Landing and I am sure it will be wonderful. I am curious to get to know Emilie, as I have been since I read my first paperback in my early teens. I would love to know where Emilie got her “gay courage” and what experiences caused her to need it. What challenges did she have to meet head on, in the way that she writes about. Did she ever suffer financially as many of her heroines did during the depression, family members that had to be nursed back to health, her fashion style, her strong ideals, her daily life and interests besides writing, etc.
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Thanks for writing, Kathleen. I think Happy Landings will be just what you’re looking for, because you wonder the same things that I did. The book addresses all of these topics! Emilie Loring was raised in an optimistic household, but she was sternly tested and rose to the challenge. You will recognize her personality in her many hobbies, friendships, and civic activities. Maybe you will be surprised, as I was, to see that her creativity might have taken her in an entirely different direction. Put all of her heroines and wise women in a blender, and that’s who she turns out to be.
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Sounds even more enticing. I can’t wait! Thank you for all of your hard work.
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You’re welcome. Once started, it was impossible to stop. 😊
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Anything you have to say I would read. 🙂
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Thanks, Vicki! I appreciate the vote of confidence. I’ll try to surprise you with something especially fun—or mysterious!
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Also, will you be mentioning the artists and the paintings that made most of her book jackets? I only know a tiny bit about one of them. I keep flipping back to look at the covers all through my reading of her books.
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Yes! I definitely talk about her illustrators and cover artists. Some of the original art works were sold at auction; keep an eye out!
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It may seem morbid and even unpleasant, but I’ve always wanted to know what was the “ill health” she died from? Maybe you already plan to touch on that bit of information. I’m not interested in anything elaborate or detailed. Just a passing comment will do.
Thanks for all the fascinating information you’ve already shared with all of us these past years. I really look forward to your book.
Will it be available on Amazon or Ebay? I’ve got accounts with them.
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This is a natural question to ask, and yes, I tell about her last year, her death, and the housing of her remains.
Sales outlets are still in the works, but some local outlets and this website may be options, and yes, Amazon. When it’s time, you will definitely hear about where to find Happy Landings!
You’re welcome. I thank you, in return. The hearty support of readers here has lifted me up over the harder parts of research and authorship.
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Many of my favorite of her books and characters are set during WWII. I’d love to find out about her experience during the war. I’m guessing she was at home as a mother, but Greg Hunt’s Aunt Jane’s thrill when Gail married Greg instead of Lila Tenney always makes me wonder if Emilie would have been somewhat like her! She did have sons and I’m sure she had strong opinions about who would make good spouses for her boys!
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Emilie lived through both World Wars, and her sons served in WWI. She spent most of the WWII years in Boston, writing. Happy Landings tells about her wartime activities and how she adapted to wartime conditions. You’re right that she cared about her sons’ wives–ever courteously, of course!
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I’m interested in the picture of Emilie’s life. She has given so much to mine, and I would like to see a window into hers.
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Are there ages you are more interested in–her writing years, childhood, young adulthood…?
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Similar to Debbie, I’m just interested to read more about the life of an author whose work I have enjoyed for so many years!
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Thanks for writing, Carla. I promise you’ll learn a lot more about Emilie Loring!
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I’m hoping for pictures. Both pictures from her life and pictures of different dust jackets or covers. It would be interesting if there was a collage picture of various editions of one book. I like seeing how different artists interpret a book
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I love pictures, too, and I have access to so many. The idea about book covers is a good one. I recently read about a cover design that Grosset & Dunlap used for three different authors during the Depression, and Emilie Loring was one of them. That might be one to include!
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From reading your blog posts, I kind of imagine your book will tell her life story (the basics and all the fascinating stuff) and also relate her life experiences to her books. That’s what I would expect…nothing specific that I can think of. I love reading your posts, so I’m sure I will enjoy your book. 🙂
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Thanks for the vote of confidence, Debbie! I especially like “all the fascinating stuff.” Emilie made that part easy.
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