I love chatting with readers and in a recent encounter, my brain was on fire with loads of terrific input, insight and observations. It’s hard to put into words, the wave of wonder that a writer feels when ‘knowingness’ is conveyed. Message received. I hear you. Even better? Those delicious moments when unexpected praise rolls up.
One of those delights came with some imagery last week. Metaphorical nourishment.
A ‘strength sammie’ if you will.
If we’re being formal, I suppose I can summon the phrase, ‘strength sandwich’ but sammie evokes a happier, celebratory vibe. We could veer off, debating my use of made-up words or slang-y drivel, but I’ll try to stay on task here.
In concept, anything between two slices of bread is a win for me, unless stinky cheese or overzealous condiment-ing (there I go again!) has occurred.
Flag on the play!
Keep the sammie simple, I say. Yummy bread and something betwixt and between pillowy (yet crusty) slices will make my heart sing and my tastebuds dance. Just about anything works except liverwurst or smelly sausage. Actually any sausage.
I fancy a good pb & j on thick slices of sourdough with homemade strawberry jam. I’ll even concede to a delectable BLT now and again, followed by remorse for falling prey to my love of bacon…because of my greater affection for pigs.
But the idea of a ‘strength sammie’? New to me and yet another reason why readers rock. Here’s the proof:
Reader Friend: “Hey…I just finished your book. I mean…YOU ARE STRONG, aren’t you?”
Me: “Yah, I guess so. Thanks. But I really don’t know how strong I am. I just wrote what I knew and experienced.”
Reader Friend: “Oh no, it was — and is — more than that. You’re giving the world a ‘strength sandwich’ and I love it.”
Me: Whaa?
Reader Friend: “You know, when you encounter someone really persevering. True stories of courage. Yours is like a sandwich. The ‘meat in the middle’ was LIVING THROUGH your life with Sue. But the bookends – the bread? The empowerment to WRITE the book and THEN putting yourself out there to TALK about it. Satisfying and scary – all at the same time.”
Our fabulous chat occurred, in person, over pancakes and my bubbly, enthusiastic friend gestured broadly as she threw her hands up, simulating the bookending – the bread. She didn’t mean to knock over the bottle of syrup or my iced tea, but exuberance and talking with your hands? I’m that girl, too. We laughed about the wacky metaphor and did a little clean up – with giggles all around.
Next time I meet my reader friend I think we’d better pick a sandwich shop and skip the sticky perils of syrupy cleanup. That way we’ll honor her insight. Sammies rule. Especially a good ‘strength sammie’.
-Vicki 😉
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Victoria Ponders 
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