The launch of Lessons to Learn
Ladies and gentlemen, Lessons to Learn has been launched.
The big event took place on Tuesday night, at the Takapuna Library. Strangely enough, it raised similar concerns to a previous big event, our September wedding last year. Did everyone get their invitations? Would they like the food? What should I wear? Do I need a hair cut? What do I say in my speech? What will others say in their speeches?
No wonder that, at about 5pm, as we drove along the motorway to Takapuna, I noticed my hands were shaking.
The staff and friends of Takapuna library had already set up the lectern and seats by the time I got there, and in the too-short moments before everyone else arrived, I practised standing behind it, posing while Matt took photos, sipping on water, convinced that I was going to lose my voice.
Then suddenly, there were people everywhere. Grandparents; aunts and uncles and cousins; teachers from primary, intermediate, high school; friends; friends’ parents; the text and cover designers, even the girl who’s picture is on the cover herself. And keeping in the theme of rather-like-a-wedding, there was also a chocolate cake with white chocolate icing in the shape of a book. I’m told that the cake was delicious; I’m told that all the food was delicious. I was too nervous to eat a thing.
I signed a few early-purchased copies, in a totally undignified manner, kneeling on the floor. Then speeches, where Helen Woodhouse from Takapuna Library, and my publisher, Christine Cole Catley and Dame Catherine Tizard all said lovely things about the book. Then my turn, which I think was also okay. The audience laughed a few times as I read out the section where Charlotte teaches “10 very great English songs” to her students. My hands were still shaking a little bit, but it felt like everyone was on side.
I have many lessons to learn. However, I don’t seem to be a quick learner. I was intending to find a place to sit and sign the rest of the copies, but instead a line formed as I rested on the piano, and I must’ve signed about 20 books there, with my signature getting progressively more illegible. And only when I got to the last couple did I remember that my grandfather had advised me to sign with black pen rather than blue.
Afterwards there were more photos, hugs, farewells, dinner with friends at a local restaurant. It all passed in a blur, really. As clichéd as it sounds, I’ve always wanted to be a novelist – and there I was, launching a novel. Still seems like a dream in a way, but I’ve got a carton of books downstairs which proves that it must be a dream come true.
All in all, an amazing experience: thanks to the organisers, thanks to those who emailed and phoned with messages of support, and thanks ever so much to everyone who came and bought a copy of the book. Hopefully we’ll be able to do it again sometime, but I have many, many more words to write before then.