Writing is not easy. Really, any sort of work that demands much of your heart and mind is not easy. There are tears and breakdowns and I-never-want-to-do-this-again’s.

Guys, there are so many misses. Like, a million misses. So many words deleted. What feels like an eternity of red lines and track changes and feedback and edits. (From this post alone, I actually wrote twice as much as what you’re reading. Seriously.)

So much of writing is not glamorous. It’s emotional, and it’s just plain hard work. It’s getting up early, it’s staying up late. It’s saying no to lunches or happy hours or dinners with friends, because you have work to do. And it’s emotional and private and scary.

But there are wins—mostly tiny, and sometimes completely inconsequential to anyone but the writer. There are moments of clarity where your words connect your thoughts like little bridges on this white sea of paper. And it works. And your name is printed next to these little word bridges, and you take a deep breath. This feeling doesn’t last long, because there is more to write and more to agonize over, but for this moment, it is nice.

Now, I’m facing the publishing of the largest sum of work I’ve ever produced, in the greatest format I could imagine. I’m speechless in so many ways because this work represents something so much bigger than the words on a page. It represents a few months of my life where things were hard, but the people in my life were so good. It represents an internal struggle to produce and create and push myself. It represents so many changes and surprises and grace upon grace.

So when you get the book, which I hope you will do, I hope you know this book is more. It is bigger than my experiences, and it’s bigger than the words I contributed. Including so many talented people making it all happen.

I hope you know that even though it looks beautiful and tied together, there were moments of craziness and stress and fear. But I hope you savor for a moment, like I will, that sometimes all those hard things produce a work of beauty.

book photo

The Kinfolk Table is will be available for purchase wherever books are sold on October 15th.

Stay tuned for more celebrations and happenings.  

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  • Erica Midkiff
    http://www.ericamidkiff.com

    You’re amazing. Just FYI. Love this SO much.

    October 13th, 2013 20:20
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    • Rebecca Parker Payne

      noooo YOU are. Seriously. I owe you a BIG thank you for how you’ve developed my writing over the past two years.

      October 14th, 2013 7:31
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      • Erica Midkiff
        http://www.ericamidkiff.com

        It’s not hard to do when there’s so much magic to work with!! And I still want to work with you–I will edit anything you write, any time you write it. xo

        October 22nd, 2013 16:22
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  • Sarah Ann Noel
    http://www.sarahannnoel.com

    I can’t wait to get it! Congratulations to you!
    And I love to hear you talk about writing, the work behind it, the feelings of gratification. It’s beautiful to peek into the process.

    October 14th, 2013 10:51
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  • Sarah Prince
    http://looklistenlove.org

    Rebecca, writing is SO difficult and love the art of your words. Can’t wait to get the book – you are amazing! Loved time with your special family and lil’ sister. They are precious. xo
    sarah

    October 14th, 2013 19:51
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  • Rachel Lucas
    http://www.mozartsgirl.blogspot.com

    As you know, I adore your writing already Rebecca…and The Kinfolk Table is one of the most beautiful collaborations I have ever seen. An heirloom book to treasure, truly. X

    October 30th, 2013 14:05
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