William Corwyn
Sept. 20, 8:32 a.m.
Dear Cyndi—if I may—
Hello! Permit me to introduce myself (although obviously this mode of communication gives it away up front): I’m William Corwyn, the founder of the Darlings writers’ support group you attended this summer. Please forgive me for not having responded sooner. I’ve been on book tour, which has an adverse effect on being a human being. I’m mortified that I’ve left a fellow scribe hanging for so long.
I read your feedback form with great interest. Kudos on coming to the meeting! That takes considerable bravery, especially when you don’t think of yourself as a writer yet. (May I whisper a secret? If you’re writing, you’re a writer.) I’m glad you joined us and found it helpful.
I’ll also confess to an ulterior motive, my dear. I am fascinated by the fact that you’re writing historical fiction, which I have never attempted to do (who is the neophyte now?), and that you are the direct descendent of Margaret Scott. When I read this, I sat straight up as if struck by the proverbial thunderbolt and thought: My God. I must meet this woman. Because I have been intrigued since boyhood by the Salem Witch Trials. I know many people have, they speak directly to our sense of history and injustice, but although so much has been written about them, it has all been so . . . dusty (a laThe Crucible) or fatuous and academic, and too often by men. (Who did Arthur Miller think he was, anyway, appropriating such a story?)
Although it is nearing its conclusion, my tour brings me near Salem next week. I’m wondering if you might be free Wednesday for a walk or a coffee (or an alternate beverage of your choice)? I’d love to hear more about what you’re working on. And, of course, to offer assistance any way I can.
Either way, please know you have my respect, and I hope to see you back at the Darlings soon.
Ever your admirer,
William
Cyndi Pietorowski
Sept. 20, 8:51 a.m.
OMG!!!!!! Hi!!!!! Of course I know who you are, Mr. Corwyn!!!!!!! Not only have I read everything you’ve ever written, I am so grateful to you for starting The Darlings. It’s the first time I ever felt like a real writer. This is the second, although hearing from you feels more like a dream!!!!!!
I would love to meet you, again, and I’m happy to share about Margaret and what I’m writing. Except are you sure?!? You are so important, and I can’t imagine you would want to waste your time with a total newbie like me.
William Corwyn
Sept. 20, 9:10 a.m.
It would be my pleasure to meet with you, my dear. You would be doing me the favor. If you’ll indulge me, I’ll spin a little yarn that explains why.
When I was a young man (more years ago than I care to confess), I was laboring away in my undergraduate creative writing workshop when one of my colleagues bet me $5 that I didn’t have the . . . well, the courage tosubmit my novel-in-progress to a New York City publisher. I took that bet. I used my laundry quarters to photocopy the manuscript in the student union (that alone tells you how old I am), popped it in a box (ditto), and spent the rest of my monthly student loan stipend to send it to an editor whose name I chose from Publishers Marketplace in the library (which back in those olden days was an actual book, the size of an encyclopedia and twice as heavy).
I promptly forgot about it and went back about my business, which was writing and drinking beer, so you can imagine my surprise when a week later, the phone in the closet at the end of my hall rang (more horse-and-carriage-era tales) and an editor, Jayne Wetzel, asked if I was the author ofThe Girl on the Mountainand, if so, would I be able to come to New York? She would send me bus fare.
That bet was the best $5 I ever spent.
Ever since that day, which marked the start of my extraordinarily fortunate career, I swore that if there were anything I could ever do to help an up-and-coming writer, especially one with such a passion as yours, I would do it. Please, allow me to walk with you.
But I do have one condition: You must call me William.
Cyndi Pietorowski
Sept. 20, 9:15 a.m.
Oh, Mr. Corwyn! Sorry. William! (Eeeek!!!!!) I am sitting here with tears in my eyes. What a beautiful story! Thank you so much for sharing it with me. And for reaching out to me. Of course, I would be honored to meet with you. Thank you!!!!!!
William Corwyn
Sept. 20, 9:27 a.m.
Tremendous. I’m looking forward to learning more (I won’t say “pick your brains”; do you loathe that phrase as much as I do?) about you and your ancestress Margaret. My free window is Wednesday; I have a reading in the evening, but I could swing by Salem in early afternoon; would that suit? Where would you like to meet?
Cyndi Pietorowski
Sept. 20, 9:28 a.m.
