SOME FRIEND!
Posted in On the Scene with Nice and Mean on 04/16/2010 04:57 am by jess
It is not often that someone comes along who is a true friend and a good writer. Zu is both.— adapted from E.B. White (Charlotte’s Web)
When Jess asked me to guest post on her blog I admit a little thrill went up my spine. Nice? Mean! How fun to expose bad deeds and ill will… but as the date for my post approached I knew there was only one topic I could write about – the genuine embodiment of a true friend and a good writer- the nicest person I know- Zu Vincent.
Zu and I met at Vermont College and became fast friends. Her prose is spectacular, her yoga poses divine. Her novel THE LUCKY PLACE is not to be missed. But most of all I can count on my friend Zu, not just to do the right and good thing. Zu consistently goes way above and beyond, to do the very best thing.
Three weeks ago the impact of Zu’s kindness came around again… a story that started long ago and far away… once upon a time… when my picture book biography Soar, Elinor! was just a twinkle in my editor and my eyes. “Go to California and find Elinor Smith! Comb through every photo! Find something great!” my editor commanded and I was quick to comply. But there were yards of scrapbooks, and photo albums, and mementos. Boxes and boxes. I needed help.
Zu lives hours- time zones, practically- from Santa Cruz where I found Elinor’s son and her treasures, but Zu was there at the airport to pick me up, to drive me, and to help me comb through the pioneer aviatrix’s belongings. We scanned every scrap, then Zu filmed hours of interviews while Elinor and I talked and talked and talked. Elinor and her son loved Zu on first sight. Of course.
Is this woman nice? It was just the beginning.
I knew from the start that this book would take a long time. Picture books work that way, especially when the art is exquisite. I also suspected Elinor Smith didn’t have a lot of time. She was a spry 95 when Zu and I visited her, but 95 is, well, 95. Finally last summer I received the mechanicals (sort of a preliminary color proof of a picture book) It was gorgeous. I couldn’t wait to show Elinor.
But I couldn’t leave my ill mother in Vermont. By this time Zu had become as close to the Smith/Sullivan family as I had. Without skipping a beat she insisted I mail the picture book to her so she could drive half a dozen hours to Palo Alto and present it to Elinor herself. This seemed like a crazy plan, but I mailed the package, and Zu made the drive, and she read the book, leaving a framed copy of the cover she made for Elinor. They both cried. I did, too, hearing their report, back at my house in Vermont. It was Elinor’s 98th birthday.
Of course, we hoped Elinor would hold the real hardcover in her hands- when I’d first contacted her she insisted she’d be ready for a book tour when it was time! Sadly, that won’t happen. The book will be published this October 12, but Elinor passed away on March 19, finally receiving the press and fanfare she deserved, attention she’d been denied in the eighty years since her many record breaking flights. Attention that Zu gave her, spontaneously and with no self interest. That’s the kind of nice that’s deep and good, genuine and true.
E. B. White was right. It is rare to find someone who’s both a good writer and a true friend. In my book, Zu Vincent is one of a kind.
These days, Zu and Tami are part of a group blog that focuses on the craft of writing for children and young adults, Through The Tollbooth. Zu’s posts always inspire Tami to be a better writer and a better person. She’s not saying they always work!
04/16/2010 at 7:55 am
What a lovely post, Tami (and Jess!). I always knew Zu was a terrific person, but had no idea she’d helped you by delivering the F&G’s of Soar, Elinor! What a wonderful friend!
04/16/2010 at 8:00 am
My tears are still streaming from that touching tribute to friendship and to Zu. I personally know Zu as well as Tami and they are both stand-up friends and writers. They are real girlfriends, the kind that live half way across the country, but would pick up in a moment’s notice if they were needed elsewhere. The level of dedication they show to their friends and their writing are rare, genuine and inspirational.
I am glad Tami went nice on this one! Well written, Tami!
04/16/2010 at 8:33 am
Thanks Debbie and Dianne! Framing the cover was completely Zu’s idea and I’m so grateful she created that memento for Elinor. She also made me a high quality color copy of the cover and had Elinor sign it. It may be my most treasured possession, but the real gift, of course, is having a friend like Zu.
04/16/2010 at 10:42 am
What a lovely story about a true friend! I cannot wait until Tami’s book comes out.
04/16/2010 at 7:43 pm
Wow, Jessica, I’m humbled by Tami’s words and your posting them–needless to say Tami is a wonderful friend right back! And I will never forget the pure pleasure on Elinor Smith’s face as she read Tami’s manuscript “Soar Elinor”. Tami has breathed life into an important piece of aviation history–and women’s history–! for a new generation of readers.
04/17/2010 at 8:03 am
Zu is indeed one of the nicest human beings I’ve ever met, as is Tami! A lovely tribute and a wonderful story about friendship shining light on an important story about a woman whose accomplishments deserve celebration and recognition!
04/17/2010 at 11:22 am
Tami,the friendships and respect we have for our Vermont College classmates stem from the tight bonds we formed over writing. So I am not surprised that Zu helped out in such an important and meaninful way. She’s the greatest!!! What a lovely way to honor Zu.
-Vicki
04/20/2010 at 11:53 am
Ohh! Great story, Tami! I agree about Zu–she is one of those people who emanates kindness. And you, Tami, are benevolent, too. Yay, ladies! Such a wonderful story to return to.
04/29/2010 at 5:31 pm
A lovely and touching tribute, Tami, to friendship, kindness and unselfishness. The stedfast bond you and Zu formed as writers and friends at Vermont College has tested time and distance. Knowing you both, I can say with all honesty, that neither of you would fail to support or lend a helping hand to another writer striving to succeed in their work. We are all better for knowing you both.
Rose
02/25/2022 at 2:40 am
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