This book was essentially workshopped, as a play might be workshopped. It was tested and tried in sections with two wonderful writers’ groups. I am beyond grateful for the encouragement, laughter, insights, and suggestions I received from the talented women in both these groups. My Martha’s Vineyard writers’ group has been there from the beginning of this project and this book wouldn’t exist without them. Nancy Slonim Aronie, Nicole Galland, Melissa Hackney, Lara O’Brien, Jamie Kageleiry, Laura Roosevelt, Catherine Walthers—you are so much more to me than just a writers’ group. My New York-based writers’ group of Judith Hannan, Lisa Liman, and Robin Rivera was formed later in the process and their fresh eyes and spot-on critiques got me to the finish line.
I was first exposed to Morning Pages and The Artist Way in yet another writers’ group. Julia Cameron, who I’ve never met, has helped millions of people break through creative blocks, and I am grateful to her for the work she does. (I do hope she likes this book.)
I owe a bountiful round of thanks to Geraldine Brooks, Glenn Korman, and my agent Rosemary Stimola, for their invaluable feedback during different stages of this process. My sister Halley Feiffer, a playwright, answered my questions about playwriting, and showered me with her unfettered enthusiasm.
How lucky I am to be able to call Gretchen Young a friend and an editor. I am honored and thrilled that Morning Pages gets to be part of Regalo Press’s magnificent inaugural list. Working with Regalo editor Adriana Senior was a dream. I am so appreciative of her keen eye and spot-on editorial suggestions.
I’d also like to thank Jeremy Kareken, whose playwriting class I took. Gail Hochman kindly gave me advice. Marty McDonough got me to Dedham and Sheila Corkhill provided information about Wellesley.
During the writing of the book, we had two private readings of Deja New so I could hear and get feedback on the play within the book. I am very grateful to the actors who took part in those readings: Brooke Adams, Amy Barrow, Scott Barrow, Nicole Galland, Jonathan Lipnick, and Tony Schalhoub.
My mother, Judy Feiffer, first exhibited signs of dementia in 2011. Over the following five years her memory may have declined, but her spirit never did. I was lucky to have had this extraordinary, complicated, and ever supportive woman as a mother. She used to say to me, “I’ve given you the material. You should use it.” And so I have.
I have friends and family who haven’t yet read a word of this book, but it’s hard to imagine it could have been written without their love and support. Topping that list is Chris Alley and Maddy Alley.