Afternoons in Ithaka

Some years ago, I was in one of my favourite bookshops and saw author Arnold Zable, who I’d met briefly on a few occasions. I had long admired Zable’s storytelling ability, and his stance on refugees. I made my way up to him to congratulate him on the release of his new book, Sea of Many Returns. As I bowled up to him, I realised too late I’d interrupted a moment – he’d been staring at his book on the shelf, in a kind of reverie; clearly it was the first time he was seeing it there. I mumbled my congratulations and slinked off sheepishly, feeling like a stalker in a b-grade movie.

It takes a long time for a book to reach a bookshelf. And the moment of seeing it there for the first time is so fleeting. Now I’ve experienced it myself, I would do anything to give Arnold back his moment in all its fullsome glory.

For me, the process of creating a book started some years ago with nothing more than a vague idea that I would write about growing up in a Greek family, and on the many trips I took to Greece to find out where ‘home’ really was. Of course it would involve food. And lots of it. There was always the question: are these ideas/stories/grains enough to carry a book? I believe there’s no way of knowing the answer to this until you start writing – a word, a sentence, a page. Soon you might have some chapters and even a proposal, which you might show to a few people. They usually tell you where you’ve gone wrong (why do they have to do that?), and what you can do better. When you’ve honed the words, your agent puts these out to a publisher. Then you wait. And wait some more. Finally, a miracle happens and a very nice publisher asks if you could please provide another 60,000 words or more in the same vein. Something that has a beginning, a middle and an end; preferably something that might move people just a little.*

So you sit on your laptop day after day. Try to relax enough to let the magic alchemy happen. You let the words bubble up from somewhere deep within; sometimes inspired by a photograph, a strong memory; a smell. When you lose track of time, you know you’ve reached that elusive place that is the ‘zone’, where nothing else matters except the words flowing onto the page. A few hours later, that particular story comes organically to an end, and you think you’ve nailed a good first draft. It's your story, your voice, your experience. That’s all the matters.

You do more of this most days, trying all the while to ignore that irritating voice that pipes up occasionally– it says, ‘no one wants to know that you ate the thyroid glands of young lambs when you were a 10’. You push through it, feeling the satisfaction of stories finding their rhythm; chapters connecting with each other; the beginning and end eventually forming a circle, just like a Greek dance. You dig up poems you haven’t read for a while; re-discover anew how much you love the lyricism of the Greek language; wish you’d concentrated more in Greek school. Your wrists and back start to hurt but you keep going regardless, pruning the original draft. You shift a chapter here; cut something back there. Finally, after many months, you have something that resembles a manuscript.

Despite wanting to hold on to it for a few years to let the dust settle and fix those pesky dangling modifiers, your deadline comes around; you really do have to press the ‘send’ button. Some months later, your editor’s report uses words like ‘beautiful subtlety’ and ‘artful way’ to describe your book. But it also says your story has several individuals named George and half a dozen named Kathy – it’s hard to tell who is who. There is more work to be done. You have to explain things, add a chapter, prune a little more. And so begins the editing process, back and forth over months. The changes get tinier, until you’re staring at a bunch of typeset pages that include your husband’s beautiful photos. Your baby is nearly ready to see the light of day.

So you’re standing at your favourite bookshop and your son says, ‘I’m proud of you Mum.’ And your daughter beams. Your husband takes a few photos and then you shoo them away, a little embarrassed. But secretly pretty chuffed. This is your moment.

*That's in really insy winsy writing in the contract.

Afternoons in Ithaka is now on sale. You can purchase it at all good bookshops, such as ABC Books, Readings and Hill of Content, where the book will be launched on the Thursday 13 February.

For upcoming book- and food-related events and musings, go to the Tribal Tomato Facebook page.

Comments

[Bruce Esplin]

Beautiful words - aiming to buy a copy tomorrow. Hearty congratulations!!

[Nicola]

Hi Spiri -

I have just finished your very enjoyable Afternoons in Ithaka. I loved the stories of your family here and in Greece and of your travels. The descriptions of Greece brought back lovely memories of our time in Greece years ago now and made me wish I could go back. I think you are so very lucky to belong to such a big, warm, welcoming and loving family both here and overseas.

All the very best

Nicola

[Spiri T]

Hi Nicola, thanks for taking the time to let me know you enjoyed my book. I do feel very lucky to belong to such a warm and loving family (though we have our moments too!)and pretty blessed that I can honour my Greek roots through my writing. I do hope you make another trip to Greece - I think my family and I might be due for another fix soon too! Thanks so much again. Best, Spiri

[Spiri T]

Thanks Bruce - do hope you enjoy it! Look forward to your feedback. Best, Spiri

[Pam]

I saw your book in the Feb Virgin in flight magazine. I thought,"that's for me". Lovely Hobart bookshop could supply. Excellent outcome. For me too, you brought back memories of Greece, such a happy travelling time in my life. I hope to return next year. Yes you are lucky to have a warm,loving and welcoming family. I do love it when people share recipes, when they share a special little tip, like best storage or how to revive the recipe if required. It's a generosity of spirit to wish the newcomer well. So thank you Spiri for a lovely book. Your son's Valentine's Day tips showed maturity beyond his years!!

[Spiri T]

Dear Pam, it's always lovely getting feedback from readers (and a bit daunting too!). So glad you enjoyed my book. I loved writing and researching it, and it did make me hanker for another Greece trip I must admit. I hope you have a great time in Greece and be sure to 'drop back in' to Tribal Tomato and report back your highlights. Thanks again, Spiri

[George]

Hi Spiri,
I just finished reading Afternoons in Ithaca and it was a trip down memory lane growing up in a greek migrant house. I Enjoyed every chapter with it's recipes, my first trip to Greece when I was eight, to revisiting my grandparents abandoned house. My parents have retired in Greece now and am fortunate to visit annually. I was transported to my younger years growing up in Marrickville, Sydney and had forgotten all the funny moments you share in your book that took place in our family. Thanks for a wonderful read.
George

[spiri]

Hi George, thanks so much for your kind comments and for taking the time to write. It's wonderful when something you write resonates with people and helps them reflect on their own memories and experiences. Once again, thank you! Spiri

[Jacqui]

Hi to you; I feel sad that I turned the last page of your book today; I really enjoyed it; what a privilege to join you in your adventures and experiences. Thankyou very much. I felt the comfort of the fish soup; but I felt sadness for you for your loss of a dear friend.

[Spiri]

Hi Jacqui, thanks so much for your kind comments and for acknowledging some of the sad experiences in it. My beautiful friend Katerina taught me a lot and for that I am grateful. Thank you again for taking the time to tell me that you enjoyed it. Warm regards, Spiri

[Marina Marangos]

Hi Spiri,
I am a Greek Cypriot living now in Brisbane and I have just picked up your book and read it in a couple of days. Evocative of greek memories and meals and of course the Greek spirit (xcuse the pun) of hospitality and generosity.
If you come to Brisbane would love to meet you. I write at
http://www.mezzemoments.blogspot.com
Marina Marangos
[email protected]

[Spiri]

Hi Marina, thanks heaps for writing and really pleased you enjoyed my book. Your blog is gorgeous and really interesting - is there some way I can be notified of updates? Would love to follow your travels and insights into this gorgeous country we live in. Best wishes and thanks again, Spiri

[anastasia]

Hi Spiri - I really enjoyed your book...I could relate so much to your childhood and wanting independence and to find your way in the world (..except I was Greek Australian girl in Sydney growing up in the 70's/80s!) The recipes in the book sound amazing - Im going to try some of them!

[Spiri]

Dear Anastasia,

Thanks so much for taking the time to write to me - and so pleased your enjoyed my book! To be notified of updates, just enter your email address in the top right hand corner of this blog. Also, I have a Facebook page which I update regularly with events (workshops I might be running, author talks, that sort of thing)- you can find this at www.facebook.com/thetribaltomato. Look forward to hearing from you again soon! Best, Spiri