20 Years of Modern Love, My "Big" Break, and Don't Give up, Dear Writer
stronger than death turns six
The New York Times column “Modern Love” celebrated 20 years this week.
My family spent winter 2012 in Minnesota while my husband worked on his PhD at the University of Minnesota. He and I took a weekend up north at a ski resort. I hate skiing. He loves skiing. He skied and I went running in the snowy hills, sat in our in-room hot tub, and wrote. I quick whipped off a submission to the NYT Modern Love column and stepped to the window to watch my husband ski past.
The article was accepted.
I was shocked. I had published before that and had even been a monthly columnist for Running Times but this was another level.
At the time, I was training for a marathon and I remember during several long runs when I felt weary, I would say to myself, New York Times and fist-pump into the air, along the Mississippi River. I was also taking a writing class at The Loft Literary Center in Minneapolis and the week the article was published I came to class and my teacher had a paper copy of the newspaper opened to A Child of Two Worlds at my seat with a single red rose on top and the class clapped and cheered.
I cried.
Later the article was turned into a podcast episode read by actress Mireille Enos.
That article got me a literary agent. I worked with her for the next five years and got nowhere. I then worked with another literary agent and got nowhere. I then sold my next two books to a publisher I adore, on my own.
I wrote about these years of hopes and crushed hopes and realized hopes for Jane Friedman.
All that is to say, the experience of publishing with the NYT (and I have published with them again since) was all the exhilarating fun I’d thought it might be. I wish that for every writer who dreams about it. I am proud of it and it feels good. Sometimes I think writers are afraid to say that!
At the same time, it didn’t lead to much tangibly or immediately. The work of writing is still a long haul project, a rollercoaster of highs and lows, and a process of finding our people, our voice, our niche. I’m adjusting again as I dive into academia and hope (in the words of a friend) that I don’t lose my creative side, don’t turn into a dry, dull professorial voice!
Also I’m thrilled with ghostwriting right now.
The point is, writers, write on. Don’t give up. Adjust. Reimagine. Explore. Try.
In other anniversary news, Stronger than Death turned six this month. Which means it has been 21 years since Annalena Tonelli was murdered. Her family continues to commemorate her in Italy. Somalis continue to honor her memory across the world.
If you haven’t read it yet, check it out. I believe her story is timeless and her example is one the world desperately needs today. She chose love over division, service over power, faith over fear.
Here’s what people have said about the book from Somalia’s former first lady to bestselling authors.
Rachel Pieh Jones has given us the unforgettable story of a servant of the sick and poor who demonstrated, to an almost incomprehensible degree, what it means to love the least of these. Few of us will ever come close to Annalena Tonelli’s devotion and bravery. But thanks to this remarkable book, we can be acquainted with one of history’s great and unheralded exemplars, and inspired to give more of ourselves to those without. Tom Krattenmaker, USA Today columnist, author of Confessions of a Secular Jesus Follower
A fascinating, powerful and extremely moving true story that needs to be shared with the rest of the world.--Jordan Wylie, author of Citadel and Running For My Life
My life has been shaped by the examples of faith heroes: Dorothy Day, Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X. In this book, Rachel Pieh Jones introduces me to one more – Annalena Tonelli. Her example of immersive, selfless service combined with learning from different traditions should inspire us all.--Eboo Patel, author of Acts of Faith, founder and president, Interfaith Youth Core
A stunning meditation on love and service, this book has given me a new hero: Annalena Tonelli, a woman of faith who crashed through boundaries and dodged bullets in her mission to heal the sick. Author Rachel Pieh Jones has done justice to an extraordinary person, crafting a story every bit as vivid, relentless, and surprising as her subject.Jason Fagone, author of The Woman Who Smashed Codes
A meticulously detailed and empathetic work on a woman whose life should not be forgotten.--Mary Harper, BBC World Service, author Getting Somalia Wrong?
As well as telling a compelling story with great skill, this absorbing and clear-eyed examination of the work of one of East Africa’s greatest humanitarians, based on her letters and interviews with her closest associates, also highlights the cultural challenges faced by even the most dedicated worker. Rachel Pieh Jones raises questions about motive and consequence, as well as perception and jealousy, that resonate well beyond the fascinating life she describes.--Richard Barrett, director of the Global Strategy Network and former director of global counter-terrorism at MI6
Annalena Tonelli’s story challenges readers to believe in themselves and reminds us that we can choose acts of kindness and love even during difficult circumstances. Her courage inspires us to challenge evil: everyone can make a difference.--Mariam Mohamed, former First Lady of Somalia
A searing account of a person, place, deadly disease, unspeakable violence, and, ultimately, faith, love, and sacrifice.--Booklist
Gripping . . . Tonelli’s example of humility, asceticism, and loving with abandon will be a revelation to modern Christian readers and will appeal to anyone interested in international aid.--Publishers Weekly
Stronger Than Death is a searing portrait of Annalena Tonelli, a singular woman whose fearlessness and concern should stand as an example to us all. It’s also a hard look at the role of outsiders in Africa, and an inquiry into our responsibility to help those less fortunate than us. But most of all, it’s a great story from a place about which, too often, all we hear is silence. --Frank Bures, author of The Geography of Madness
As a ghostwriter:
My mission is to magnify your message.
Most people with a powerful story are too busy living that story to write it down.
As a ghostwriter, I help leaders, creatives, and ordinary people with extraordinary stories produce a book that will magnify their message, so they can stay on mission.
Rachel’s writing makes an impact. Check out her books!