Maurice Sendak, the author of Where the Wild Things Are, had hermetic tendencies while working on books. I often joke that I disappear into my writing cave when I’m working on a big project, which is what I did last month to finish the manuscript for the memoir about Maurice Sendak’s relationship with three generations of my family. When I’m in the last stretch of things, I forget to eat and sleep (today when someone asked me what I was doing for the Super Bowl, I had to admit I didn’t know about it).
The manuscript took longer than I thought it would, as most things do. I did archival research traveling to the New York City Public Library and to the College of Charleston to go through letters Maurice Sendak had written to friends, editors, and writers. And I went to see the“Mind/Mirror” exbibit by painter Jasper Johns at The Whitney three times (yes, he makes an appearance in the book). I researched author Allen Ginsberg and how much it would cost to quote his letters. And I contacted the family of a poet to get their permission to quote the poet’s letters - they granted it to me! In the process of this book, I took a crash course in the letters of famous people and copyright law.
Maurice was a creature of work and his fantastical inventions gave his life meaning. In a 1967 letter to my mom he wrote that Lord, he just wanted to soak his head in work. And we are lucky that he did, obsessively, rebelliously, and with the commitment of a monk.
Alice
Events:
March 1: Denison University in-person lecture in Granville, Ohio “Their Lives on the Line”
Books
Pre-order Living with Precariousness *I wrote a chapter on the lives of trans women fleeing El Salvador.
Great ! Enjoy the process !!
I’m so excited about this forthcoming book, Alice. And you can quote me, or rather, Mr. Sendak, “Chicken Soup with Rice.” I realize nothing about my favorite children’s book may make note within your pages of earnestly dedicated work, but that won’t keep me from the fondness I have of reading that particular book to my children and the numerous children gathered at my feet during story time. Once a fav, always a fav, and onward I will go relishing the many quirks, quotes and cherished memories of undiscovered work I knew not a thing about. Thank your mama, personally, for me. And, thank you for working so diligently upon this.
❤️