A writer, Fanny Anderson, says those words on page 252 of my novel Morning.
At the beginning of the book, a free-lance editor, Sara Kendall, is editing one of Fanny Anderson’s books for her Boston publisher. Sara discovers a manuscript accidentally enclosed with the, um, full-bosomed romance manuscript. The relationship between Sara and Fanny changes both their lives. Fanny’s new book is published in England, with all sort of amazing results.
As a dedicated Anglophile, I was thrilled beyond words when my books were published in England. I had to go to England several times—for work. I loved my British agent, Vivienne Schuster, who attended my wedding to Charley in 1984.
And I became good friends with my English editor, Maureen Waller. Over the years we had some rather good times in London, and in Nantucket when she visited. I can still remember her throaty laugh.
When I look at this photo taken of me and Maureen on Nantucket in 1985, I think: It’s Never Too Late to Get Your Hair Cut!
Morning was about all sorts of things, especially creativity and fertility. This was long before computers, so I traveled to Boston to research ancient rituals and recipes to promote fertility. An example: “Let the party take of the syrup of stinking orach a spoonful night and morning. . .”
Just now, in less than a second, I Googled “orach.” It’s known as “mountain spinach” and eaten in salads. Whether it stinks or not, I didn’t remain to discover.
