Between 1999 and 2001, I wrote a monthly spiritual essay for the newsletter of my former New Hampshire parish. The essays were always a single page, 750-1000 words in length: a perfect precursor to blogging, though I had no clue about that at the time!
In looking for subject matter, I tended to key off the seasons and the liturgical year. Today I pulled them all out of my files, printed the ones for which I lacked copies, organized them according to the major feasts, fasts, and seasons of the western liturgical calendar, and then went searching for blog posts that might augment the gaps that appeared. (Good grief, Cassandra has written a lot of words!) I'm not sure how much editing would be needed to make me happy with the older pieces and bring a consistent voice to all of them, as well as mixing up the lengths by cutting or enlarging the existing pieces to give some greater variety. Something is emerging, though. A reflective book of days, a book of seasons; a quiet book with space for the words to breathe, illustrated with drawings or linocuts, maybe.
What do you think?
I think a book of your reflections is a marvelous idea. Illustrated? Even better.
Posted by: Kim | April 12, 2011 at 05:19 PM
I love the idea! I agree with Kim--illustrated, even better. I'm still thinking of last week's photos!
Posted by: Kristin Berkey-Abbott | April 12, 2011 at 05:25 PM
The Cassandra Pages has a prequel?!
I'd like to see an illustrated book of your essays, for sure.
Posted by: Dave | April 12, 2011 at 07:32 PM
What a wonderful idea. I can't wait to get my hands on a copy & read through this at my leisure!
Posted by: Rachel Barenblat | April 12, 2011 at 09:07 PM
What Dave said!
Posted by: maria | April 12, 2011 at 09:40 PM
Beth, while I seldom comment on blogs, I can't help but comment here. This is such a wonderful idea. I became hooked on your blog towards the end of last year and eagerly await your posts, and to have something in book form with illustrations (!!!) would be wonderful.
Posted by: Elaine Corwin | April 12, 2011 at 11:02 PM
Looking forward Beth.
Posted by: Uma Gowrishankar | April 13, 2011 at 12:53 AM
This is a great idea. I think it might depend on how much your voice and perceptions have changed in the intervening years. I remember you posted something here not so long ago and I was quite shocked (though this was absolutely not shocking, of course, but to be expected) by how much your voice had changed and this writer felt like someone else whom I did not know. But I think that was maybe from much longer ago than a decade or so.
This was all I was going to say, but as I typed the thought grew on me that if you're going to make a new book, with new drawings, do you really want to use old material? Or if you do, perhaps at least that older material needs to be the start and then the book needs to come up to the present.
I don't know. Just thoughts. I'm sure you will come up with the right project, that will work well. And I'm very happy, after these years of so much enjoying your blog (an intrinsice part of which, for me, is the very beautiful design0 to know you are planning a book of your work.
Posted by: Jean | April 13, 2011 at 05:24 AM
What Jean is saying makes sense to me yet why not simply date your material as you shuffle the pieces, as a way of welcoming impermanence. So many 'spiritual writers' when they are writing harden into this or that shape and your fluidity if it is that might be an additional layer of 'good news' ('God's word is alive and active...')
Posted by: Vivian | April 13, 2011 at 07:22 AM
What a great project. By the way: Is your window open? Is it spring at last?
Posted by: Hattie | April 13, 2011 at 01:23 PM
cassandra is an amazing woman!
Posted by: an admirer | April 13, 2011 at 05:42 PM
Absolutely agree, as I said before, that such a book is an excellent idea. Glad to see that you've actually made a start by pulling out those older files - nothing like action to spur further action! Maybe you'll find you want to edit some of the earlier essays or combine them with new material but I certainly feel that recycling good material from the past is valid. After all, time doesn't alter quality.
Posted by: Natalie | April 14, 2011 at 03:09 PM
I think I can't wait to read it! I have started and stalled at doing something similar at various times. Your method is much better than trying to just organize it all online with online folders, etc. Keep us in the loop re your progress.
And thank you so much for the dear hug and support on my blog!
Posted by: Loretta | April 14, 2011 at 04:51 PM
Can't wait - put me on the list for purchasing one pre-publication!
hugs from PA
connie
Posted by: connie beachy | April 15, 2011 at 11:10 AM
Here is one Cassandra who appears welcome when she predicts the future!
Yes, that sounds wonderful, and you have the very great advantages of having a body of work to shape and the ability to do your own illustrations. Illustrating books has become so prohibitive than I think publishers are thrilled when writer and artist combine in one (and therefore combine in one payment!)
If you don't want to use your own press, I think Paraclete makes awfully pretty books...
Posted by: marly youmans | April 16, 2011 at 12:37 AM