Guest Author, Terri Dulong with Giveaway!
by sue on Nov.18, 2009, under Book Chat
The seed for Spinning Forward was planted four years ago when my husband retired and we relocated to Cedar Key, a small island off the west coast of Florida. I developed an instant love affair with the friendly community and stunning scenery provided by Mother Nature.
Since I write women’s fiction, I wanted to deal with issues in my novel to which other women could relate. Surprisingly, I was hearing more and more stories of women ages 40 and older starting over because of divorce or the death of a spouse. I was even more surprised to learn that many of these women had not been involved in the financial part of their marriage—either by choice or because of a controlling husband. In some cases, that meant their financial present was now grim . . . and their financial future, a question mark.
In Spinning Forward , my main character—Sydney Webster, age 52, married for 28 years to a prominent physician in the Boston area, with one grown daughter and no work-related skills—finds herself both emotionally and financially bereft after her husband is killed in an auto accident.
Two weeks after she buries him, her problems are compounded when a sheriff shows up at her posh home with an eviction notice. Seems unbeknownst to her, her hubby had a gambling addiction. And just like that, Syd’s lack of involvement in the family finances comes back to bite her.
Not knowing where to turn, she calls an old college friend who owns a bed and breakfast in Cedar Key, Florida. Alison forces Sydney to pack up a few belongings and her dog and to come stay with her. Cedar Key, Ali explains, is the perfect place to heal and start over—she should know, because she did the very same thing herself 20 years before.
Once Sydney arrives in Cedar Key—with her bank account hovering at zero—she knows she must find a job. A registered nurse prior to her marriage, she long ago allowed her license to lapse. She hasn’t worked since her daughter was born, and that daughter is now a grown woman. Syd has no idea how she’s going to fend for herself . . . the only thing she knows how to do well is spin wool and knit!
I actually learned to knit from my own mother as a child but then set it aside for about 40 years. Four years ago a very close girlfriend got me to pick up the needles again, and I became thoroughly addicted. In real life, we do not have a yarn shop on Cedar Key, so I thought it would be perfect to fictionalize one for Sydney.
Around the time I was composing my novel a friend on the island told me that in addition to knitting she also did spinning—specifically, dog and cat fur into yarn. I was amazed and intrigued. So much so that I thought it might be the perfect thing to get my Sydney into her own business. So I badgered my friend with questions and she was only too happy to show me the entire process. She combed fur from her dog and then explained how it had to be cleaned, carded and eventually made ready to be spun into yarn—just like any other fiber. And for me—although I never did take up spinning, my story had been born.
Do you have a story of a moment that changed your life? We’ll send an autographed copy of Spinning Forward to one lucky commentator!
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Sue G - Borders True Romance Host - Borders Romance Buyer, reads romance. For her JOB. No, really. You can email Sue at sgrimshaw at bordersgroupinc dot com.
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Shape-shifter Dev Peltier thought he knew it all. But one night when a Dark-Hunter, who is also an official member of the Dogs of War, sashays into his bar, he realizes he might have met his match. But as old enemies and new move into New Orleans, Samia realizes that Dev just might be the only hope she and mankind have to save the world.
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November 22nd, 2009 on 5:46 pm
Hello to everyone…….
I arrived home from my book tour last night and just had a chance to read these wonderful comments!
What I found so amazing while reading them is that “change” (the good, the bad, the horrible) seems to be a universal theme with women. Not to say that men don’t experience change, but I can’t help but feel women tend to have more changes in their life, leading up to the physical one of menopause, followed by even more changes.
And after reading these comments, I also feel that ultimately women are quite resilient….whether it be death, illness, loss, etc. most women have a way of accepting and going forward.
You sound like a terrific group here and I wanted to thank you so much for leaving a comment. I deeply appreciate your interest in SPINNING FORWARD.
Good luck in the contest!
Terri DuLong
November 22nd, 2009 on 12:06 am
Enjoyed your book chat and crossing my fingers in hopes of a nice win here.
November 20th, 2009 on 12:00 am
Great giveaway. She is a new to me author and I’d love to win..
November 19th, 2009 on 2:06 pm
I love the cover of this book! I enjoyed the Friday Night Knitting Club (I love knitting books even though I don’t knit) so this looks like a must read.
A life defining moment… goodness, they happen all the time, don’t they? Meeting my daughter in China and discovering that although another gave birth to her, I was intended to be her mother.
Getting the job of my dreams.
The first time an editor requested the full ms.
Wonderful, wonderful moments.
November 19th, 2009 on 1:56 pm
Dear Terri,
Years ago, I knitted a pink sweater for myself using wooden needles. Your cover brought back that memory and I knew I would have to read your book
I finished the book the other night and I loved it. I never realized, people actually spun their pet’s hair into yarn. Fascinating!
Please don’t enter me in the drawing, as I already have your book.
Bev Stephans
November 18th, 2009 on 6:56 pm
With the birth of my kids, my life changed - like everyone else who has become parents. Now I am a grandma; my granddaughter turned one on Monday, and she has brought such joy to our lives; not really changed my life; just made it so much better.
Pat L.
November 18th, 2009 on 5:37 pm
Hello to Sue and everybody,
Thank you, Sue, for the opportunity to post here. I really appreciate it.
At the moment, I’m on a book tour and in Norcross, GA…..doing signings in the area and heading to Birmingham and Huntsville, AL tomorrow. Will be home Sat. and I plan to read each and every one of these comments. Thank you to ALL of you for leaving a comment.
Best to you,
Terri DuLong
November 18th, 2009 on 2:52 pm
This is such a lovely story. I have had many life-changing events in my life. Most of them were due to my hip dislocation. I have had three total hip replacements on my right, one on my left and a total of 25 surgeries or more. All of these were a result from being born a single-footling breech. When I was younger I had so many plans but the reality sets in when I got older. I wanted to be an animal vet but to have my first hip replacement at 22. I learn from that point on that my dreams would have change and the reality of that was hard. Life does go on though and it’s our choice how we handle it. I beleive their is a reason for every event that happens to us, a challenge or sorts. We either lie down and take it or stand up amd fight.
November 18th, 2009 on 1:56 pm
Hi Terri — great to have you here! I was never a knitter however, loved to crochet — your book makes me want to start up again.
Love the cover too.
Life changing moment — that would be my faith
Thanks for posting for us! Sue
November 18th, 2009 on 1:51 pm
Your book sounds like a fabulous read and I would love to read it! I don’t knit, never learned! I do piece quilts sometimes in the winter!
A moment that changed my life was loosing a job I had for over 20 years, my husband lost his at the same time. I have not had a steady job since. I stay at home now take care of the house, cook, clean and all those good things. I read and piece my quilts. My husband has a job now and we get by. There are just not any jobs out there right now and its very hard for an older person to find one. So yes my life is different now and we don’t have as much as we use to, but we get by and thats the most important thing.
November 18th, 2009 on 1:07 pm
my life changing moment was when I was told I had Breast Cancer; there is a history of it on my Mom’s side and she passed away from it. I was always aware of it and how I could be one that got it but then I think I also felt safe somehow. I was in shock when told and almost all the way through Radiation I felt like it was happening but didn’t have the feelings. One day I broke down and realized what was happening and now my many choices of lifestyle are based on having had Breast Cancer. I like to think of it as gone for good.
November 18th, 2009 on 11:57 am
Enjoyed reading the comments.
I think the one moment that changed my direction in life was when my last son went away to college. I had been a stay-at-home mom and now decided that it was my time now. I went out and got a job, joined Weight Watchers, trimmed up, wore different types of clothes, and found a different side of myself. I have thoroughly enjoyed my life since where I only answer to myself at home. yeah
November 18th, 2009 on 11:27 am
My mother and I always lived with her parents, whom I adored. By the time I was ten years old, my grandmother was no longer able to walk much and could do very little of the cooking for the family. I had started following her around the kitchen when I learned to crawl. She was the greatest cook ever! That Thanksgiving, my grandfather brought home a turkey dinner from a local restaurant. That turkey was not even brown! I recooked the whole meal, and added some touches of my own. It was a success, and from then on, I cooked all the meals, planned the grocery shopping and ran the house. My grandfather was my all-time hero! Both of my grandparents died shortly after my high school graduation. Mom died a few years ago. She and I were together almost fifty years. I made the decision to stay with my family, and I have never regretted the decision.
November 18th, 2009 on 10:25 am
I’ve had several life-changing moments. Of course the birth of my children, but more recently was our decision to move from California to Texas, a pure quality of life choice. It’s been good and bad, as all things are, but mostly good.
I love knitting, quilting, and all things crafts. I just wish I had more time in the day!
Looks like a really great book. I can’t wait to read it!
November 18th, 2009 on 10:21 am
I have a situation rather than one moment. A few years ago when my grandmother told me the doctors had said to her she would die in two months time. I moved in with her to care for her in the last two months we would be together. My relationship ended because of it. He didn’t understand my own life had to be put on hold. It was sad, him not getting the importance of this. Grandma had helped to raise me and I just couldn’t leave her, not after such news. And I didn’t WANT to either. As she got sicker she couldn’t possible manage on her own. I wouldn’t have missed it for the world. We talked, we laughed a bit, we cried A LOT and we got closer than ever before. She told me she never felt as connected to me as in those moments. It was pretty intense. But I’m glad I learned I can put myself aside if needed to support someone I love in such a difficult situation.
November 18th, 2009 on 10:15 am
What a heart-warming story. I look forward to reading it. Thanks for visiting.
November 18th, 2009 on 9:54 am
I’ve been seeing this book in several blogs. hoping that i can win it this time here
about the story, the moment We said ‘ I DO’ when we’re married. that’s changed my whole life.
November 18th, 2009 on 9:10 am
cliche, but my life changed the minute my first daughter was born. Life stopped being all about me and ended up being all about her. Eventually we got to a nice happy medium but becoming a mother did broaden my perspective and give me a different appreciation for life.
November 18th, 2009 on 9:06 am
I’m not sure I’ve ever had a life-changing moment. Oddly enough, I’m quite looking forward to it.
Congratulations on your release Terri!
Though I’m not a knitter I’ve been meaning to read that book for some times now. It really sounds like a great read !
November 18th, 2009 on 8:57 am
I guess my life changing moment would be when my second husband left us and I had 4 days to move out of the house we were in, a broken down car, no job and $150.00. My daughters were 10 and 4. My family found me a place to live, got my car fixed and I found a job after a lot of looking. I never looked back after that. I learned the hard way not to give up my life for someone else, it leaves you ill prepared to support yourself and your kids.
November 18th, 2009 on 8:31 am
I’m not sure about a single moment that’s changed my life…I think it’s more lots of little moments that changed it a little here and there!
November 18th, 2009 on 7:36 am
Life-changing moment - finding out I was pregnant, and knowing life would never be the same again - and I couldn’t wait! Three years later, our lives have changed so much but we have no desire to be anything other than the parents of our little girl.
November 18th, 2009 on 1:36 am
I always thought spinning was intriguing, although I’ve not gotten the chance to do it myself. I really liked the idea when a friend brought knitting back to my attention back in school.
A moment that’s changed my life… hmm, I guess right now the moment that comes to mind the most is when I moved to the bay area a little over a year ago. It was adrastic change from me and so frightening leaving what you know and are familiar with. But I was lucky that I had people close to me to help motivate me to move my life forward and beyond. Even now with more unfortunate changes, I’m being pushed and prodded to move forward