What Happened to the Dining Room?
What Happened to the Dining Room? by
Debra H. Goldstein
Debra H. Goldstein
When I was a kid, our dining room table always looked
pristine. It had a beautifully ironed
tablecloth on it and a lovely centerpiece that sat exactly below the
chandelier. The chairs were meticulously pushed in, but never touched the
table. Of course, we never used the
dining room except for special family events or company who weren’t considered
extended family.
pristine. It had a beautifully ironed
tablecloth on it and a lovely centerpiece that sat exactly below the
chandelier. The chairs were meticulously pushed in, but never touched the
table. Of course, we never used the
dining room except for special family events or company who weren’t considered
extended family.
True family meal gatherings were in the kitchen dinette
area. The surface of that table was
scuffed from the book bags dropped on it; its finish marred by original crayon
drawings that hadn’t stayed on the page and later homework assignments that had
gone awry. Before I reached a certain height, its legs were nicked when riding
toys weren’t stopped fast enough. Later, the table sides bore the wounds where
chairs were pulled or pushed against it.
area. The surface of that table was
scuffed from the book bags dropped on it; its finish marred by original crayon
drawings that hadn’t stayed on the page and later homework assignments that had
gone awry. Before I reached a certain height, its legs were nicked when riding
toys weren’t stopped fast enough. Later, the table sides bore the wounds where
chairs were pulled or pushed against it.
When I married and raised children, I followed the same
practices with my dining room and dinette, but then I became a writer. Suddenly, my books and swag needed more space.
Space that could be conveniently reached, while being somewhat out of the way. My solution? Cover the wooden dining room
table with the pads originally made to protect it and go for it.
practices with my dining room and dinette, but then I became a writer. Suddenly, my books and swag needed more space.
Space that could be conveniently reached, while being somewhat out of the way. My solution? Cover the wooden dining room
table with the pads originally made to protect it and go for it.
For the year after my first book, Maze in Blue, came out, I
told my husband we couldn’t have company. I refused to clean off the
table. Slowly, my stock was sold, my
swag given out, the bookmarks exhausted, and the table reappeared (of course, I
did stick the banners and posters in a corner of the dining room in case I
needed them again). We reclaimed the
table. We entertained. When visitors
went into the dining room, their eyes wandered from the breakfront to the
fireplace and over the top of my clean table.
told my husband we couldn’t have company. I refused to clean off the
table. Slowly, my stock was sold, my
swag given out, the bookmarks exhausted, and the table reappeared (of course, I
did stick the banners and posters in a corner of the dining room in case I
needed them again). We reclaimed the
table. We entertained. When visitors
went into the dining room, their eyes wandered from the breakfront to the
fireplace and over the top of my clean table.
That all changed in May 2016. Should Have Played Poker was published as a
hardback and six months of touring and speaking began. A printer, extra papers,
swag galore, and boxes of books covered the table. When some space opened, a
new shipment of books or swag arrived. Only this time, it wasn’t only the new
book on the table, but copies of the old book, too, as it saw a resurgence in
its sales.
hardback and six months of touring and speaking began. A printer, extra papers,
swag galore, and boxes of books covered the table. When some space opened, a
new shipment of books or swag arrived. Only this time, it wasn’t only the new
book on the table, but copies of the old book, too, as it saw a resurgence in
its sales.
Five and one-half months have passed. There actually is room for me to pack a small
suitcase on the end of the table (I leave it there because I need it so often
that it became tiresome going in and out of the garage to get it). The original
swag is gone, the re-ordered swag is dwindling. There still are books, but by
my calculation, because most of the bookstores order their own stock, there
only are enough to see me through the last big consignment. By the end of the month, only one box of
books and swag be relegated to the writing corner and I’ll take back the dining
room table.
suitcase on the end of the table (I leave it there because I need it so often
that it became tiresome going in and out of the garage to get it). The original
swag is gone, the re-ordered swag is dwindling. There still are books, but by
my calculation, because most of the bookstores order their own stock, there
only are enough to see me through the last big consignment. By the end of the month, only one box of
books and swag be relegated to the writing corner and I’ll take back the dining
room table.
I’m excited, but I hope the sight of a clean dining room
table doesn’t last long. For a writer, what can be better than having it
covered with clutter because people want to read your books and stories? Secretly, I hope there comes a time that I
never find my dining room table.
table doesn’t last long. For a writer, what can be better than having it
covered with clutter because people want to read your books and stories? Secretly, I hope there comes a time that I
never find my dining room table.
Fun post, Debra! Love the way you're charting where you are with projects by the status of the table–and yes to that last wish here too!
I hope the same for you, too.
Debra, not only are you a great writer, but you provide great swag. I carry my Should Have Played Poker flashlight everywhere. I hope your diminished supply means we can soon look forward to another book!
I like the way you think, Paula. Actually, it means I have been on the road 3-4 days per week for six months and I'm in the last two weeks of that crazy wonderful swing.
Interesting look at how you set up to market your books and swag. The fact that your first book gained a new audience with the advent of your second is really interesting too. I know that's how it works; I'm just happy to see it. Thanks for the post!