My ‘Cinderella Story’: Following Leads to Success

By Susan Moore Jordan
NSNC Member

In the performing arts, we often hear about an overnight success that isn’t really that at all; it generally follows many years of hard work. But we love the glamour of the myth.
A few years ago, I heard this from a former private voice student near the end of his first year with The Deutsche Oper Berlin: “I have to admit that the best singers are not always the most successful. It’s not just their voice that matters, even if sometimes we wish that were the case. Sadly, no one can get a minor in Luck alongside their degree in Voice. I just feel blessed to have had some of it thus far!”
Thomas Lehman is about to begin his sixth season in Berlin, and he seems to be on an upward trajectory. And yes, he’s had some lucky breaks, but he’s been prepared to walk through the doors that have opened for him, and he is a gifted singer, musician, and actor.
It was a huge surprise to learn firsthand that a “Cinderella moment” can happen in the literary arts as well.
I write books (mostly novels) and a blog, and have published a couple of articles in Musical America. One of the best things I’ve done since I began writing in 2013 (after a lifetime as a musician/teacher/stage director) was to become a member of the National Society of Newspaper Columnists and join its Columnist Clubhouse on Facebook.
A post on NSNC Columnist Clubhouse from Bonnie Jean Feldkamp (NSNC Communications Director) sometime in May alerted us to an opportunity to present an idea to The Guardian. They were looking for writers to submit items for a series, “How I Fell in Love With …” Immediately my mind went to my newfound passion for writing, after over thirty years of directing musical theater productions. I sent an email to the editor with a brief statement about how I fell in love with writing music-centric novels. Much to my amazement, within twenty-four hours I received a response asking me to submit such an article.
When my article was received in Sydney, I was advised it might be as long as six weeks before it appeared online, so I refrained from splashing my lucky break all over social media—after all, they might change their minds. But within a week another notice arrived, telling me it would be published on May 24. That was soon followed by an email telling me it was online. At that moment, I was hunkered down in the basement of my Pennsylvania home during a tornado warning, so I had to wait until that passed before I saw it!

Read Susan’s article HERE: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/may/24/i-wrote-my-first-book-at-75-at-the-age-of-81-and-10-books-later-im-having-the-time-of-my-life

That was a thrill, and I had a nice uptick in online book sales, some of which were from parts of the world I hadn’t sold books in before. Definitely exciting and gratifying.
But wait … there’s more. Within a few days I was totally stunned to receive an email from NBC’s Today Show asking if I’d consider an on-camera interview as part of a series, “Super Seniors.” I read the email four times just to be sure it was actually intended for me.
The Today Show put me in touch with Field Producer Matthew Greenfield, and he and his crew arrived at my home on June 27 to tape the segment, bringing with them a surprising amount of equipment. While it was fascinating to watch these men work, it was also a little stressful. I’ve been interviewed numerous times by print journalists for my work as a director, but no solo television interviews. I didn’t know until I was on camera what the questions would be, other than generally about my experiences writing.
The interview lasted at least thirty minutes, maybe longer. They also taped me at my computer and in my music studio, and we made a trip to the local library where they taped a brief meeting with the small writing group which has become an important part of my life, the Lady Writers of the Poconos. Then it was a waiting game to see the segment which aired on August 2 during Hour Three of the show.
Not having any clue as to what Matt would use from all the words I spouted was more than a little nerve-wracking. Fortunately, I had good friends with me who managed to keep me relatively calm.
It was amazing how much of my story he managed to tell in that short less-than-four-minute “spot.” A lovely front-page (above the fold!) article by a writer for the local newspaper was a bonus. Many congratulatory messages came from kind local and online friends.
Best of all, from both of these “Cinderella moments,” I received comments and messages from people who were inspired by my story of eleven books (well, ten; one is still a work in progress) in the six years since I turned seventy-five.
Writing has become part of who I am and, honestly, I couldn’t stop if I wanted to—and why would I want to? For me, “writing is its own reward” is a truth. That people read what I write is happiness. No handsome prince needed!
It all started with a lead posted in the NSNC Columnist Clubhouse Facebook Group. I thought, “Why not?” and submitted my idea. Moral of the story: don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. You never know what might come of it!

Learn more about Susan’s books HERE.