I’d planned to continue the series on how to prepare for NaNoWriMo this week, but my good friend and powerhouse author Leila Meacham passed away after a lengthy battle with cancer, and I wanted to take a moment to honor her spirit—and what she still has to share with authors.
The author of lush, epic New York Times bestsellers like Roses, Somerset, Tumbleweeds, and her most recent release, Dragonfly, Leila had first tried her hand at writing in the 1980s, while still working as a teacher of high school English. She published three romance novels before deciding the genre and working to the demands of a publishing contract weren’t for her.
It wasn’t until more than twenty-five years later, when she retired from her long teaching career, that she returned to writing, feeling what she always described as a calling to write what became Roses, a surprise New York Times bestseller that kicked off her wildly successful second act as an author—at the age of 70.
A gracious example of bygone Southern gentility and charm who deeply enjoyed talking about writing and books and publishing with those who loved it all as much as she did, Leila was warm and generous in sharing her time and her talent with other authors working their way toward the heights she’d already attained. (Including me; Leila read each of my books and insisted, after I didn’t ask her to blurb Intuitive Editing out of consideration for her health issues, that she read and offer a blurb for my latest novel, despite being in the thick of her personal challenges.)
And she was never shy about sharing what she believed was her God-given mission to write her books. That was one of the things that always struck me the most about Leila: her unflagging belief in herself, her stories, and her writing. In the years in which I knew her, each time she began a new story she gave herself to it wholly, never doubting the vision she had in her head, nor her ability to convey it.
Even as she battled chemotherapy, neuropathy in her fingers that made it painful to type, and increasing health challenges, Leila kept writing, working on one final story that was a complete departure from her usual style and genre, but one she felt compelled to tell.
This one challenged her—not just because of the increasing difficulty of writing it through her physical challenges as well as the mental ones that resulted from her chemo treatments, but because she knew that breaking out of the mold of the sprawling epic historical novels she’d become known for came with a fair number of logistical challenges as well.
And yet in our last conversation a number of weeks ago she was still busily working on revisions, not for one moment entertaining the idea that she couldn’t do it, or shouldn’t—or that she wouldn’t.
Perhaps Leila had dark nights of the soul now and then–like most of us. Every once in a while she hinted at such, asking, “Do you really believe that?” when we talked about whether she would defeat Henry—what she named her cancer to bring it down to a foe she could grapple with, or “Do you really think this is a good story?” when she struggled with parts of the book she’d been working on when she passed away.
But Leila’s faith always carried her through any moments of doubt she may have felt privately or shared only with her beloved husband of six decades, Dick: faith in the God she believed during nearly her entire cancer battle would see her through; faith in her writing, her stories, and her ability to tell them; and faith in herself.
It doesn’t matter that her faith wasn’t always borne out: In the end Henry managed to take Leila down after all, despite her valiant battle; and I don’t know what might become of the book she was still working on when she died.
What matters is that she had that faith. That she kept it. That it fed her confidence and determination and hope and kept her getting back in the ring every time life knocked her out of it.
The last time I talked to Leila weeks ago, she was so very pleased with how her current work-in-progress, April Storm, was coming along. She was exhausted and in pain, and yet despite acknowledging those facts, she was not giving in to Henry, not giving up on seeing her story published.
I believe that faith was what allowed her to never let go of her vision for the future—and that regardless of how things turned out, it made the journey always feel worthwhile to her, even when the path was hard.
Her grace and grit are an inspiration to me—and judging by the friends, readers, and authors whose lives she’s touched, I expect I’m far from alone in that.
Before I expanded How Writers Revise into a regular blog feature, it was a short bonus section for my monthly newsletter subscribers. Leila’s very early contribution was brief, but I wanted to share it here in memory of her fighting spirit and relentless faith.
There’s an old Southern saying that a guest should leave a place a little bit better than they found it. I love that in her below reply she talks about giving revisions her all. Leila gave absolutely everything her all, and her fortitude, generosity, and faith are among her lovely legacies that leave the world just a little bit better than she found it.
How Leila Meacham Revises:
My editing, like all my other approaches to writing, is unorthodox, but I blame the Virgo in me. It’s a trait of ours not to let anything go until it is finished, in this case, whether it’s a word, a sentence or a paragraph. So I don’t move on to the next scene until I have given the foregoing my all.
That is not to say that I don’t go back the next morning to peruse yesterday’s work and throughout the writing process to revise. As a matter of fact, I have never minded revisions. I love making something better.
My approach makes me a slow writer, but then in the final analysis, I don’t have much revising to do when I give the book a final pass over before submitting it to my editor.
18 Comments. Leave new
Tiffany,
One of the best things that have happened to me this year is that you came to Romance Author’s of the Heartlands conference, and I subscribed to your blog. I read it every week, and am usually inspired. This one is such an inspiration, especially for older writers, writers who’ve dealt with life and are now finding their voice, and writers who have put off traditional publishing, and writers who couldn’t get representation and are now laughing all the way to the bank in self-publishing. But this post matters because it shows no matter what age you are, you can still pursue your dreams. What a lovely lady. I’m so glad you knew her. Thank you for posting this.
I’ll add that to the long list of wonderful legacies Leila has left behind, Tricia–that she continues to inspire other authors. I’m glad her story resonated for you–I love that she embarked on this second career at age 70 and enjoyed it quite literally almost until the day she died. She was such a delightful lady and passionate writer. Thanks for such kind words about the blog and conference, as well. It means a lot to hear.
Thanks. This was so inspiring, for so many reasons. You are lucky to have each other. I say have because her words will always be with you. I hope to find a mentor like that someday.
Thanks, Sharon. Leila was lovely in so many ways. I find the writing community is full of generous souls, and I hope you’re able to find someone too who helps inspire you.
Tiffany, this is a beautiful tribute to your friend.
Thanks, Barb. She was a warrior–and an original.
Tiffany,
This post has really touched and inspired me. I read it last night and still this morning I feel grief, like I lost a friend. You brought her spirit to life here and I have no doubt her legacy will carry on. Thank you so much for sharing her story —your story. It is beautiful and one I will soon not forget.
That’s lovely to hear, Lisa–Leila was an exceptional person and I love that she continues to have an impact and affect authors. Thanks for the comment.
I have been an ardent fan of Leila’s since I discovered her book Roses several years back. Being an East Texan and about Leila’s age, I fell in love with her work. I have all her books and am eager to know whether or not April Storm will be published. Please share with me anything you might know. Thank you,
GeneAnne Masters
of Tyler, Texas, Rose Capital
Hi, GeneAnne. She was just wonderful, wasn’t she? As far as I know the novel is in talks to be published–if I hear more I’ll try to post it here. Thanks for your comment. I know Leila would be thrilled to know people are still eager to read her work, and I’m sure you know she was especially excited about this one, a new genre for her.
Will April Storm be published.
I have read all of Leila’s books and enjoyed everyone of them. I have everyone of them and treasure each one. So sorry for your loss.
Hi, Joyce. The last I heard, yes, Leila’s publisher and husband are moving forward with publication of April Storm–but the production process can be a little slow.
Leila was as warm and engaging as her books are. It would mean a lot to her, I think, that you love them so much. Thanks so much for writing.
I just googled Mrs. Meacham this morning and learned that she passed away. I had Mrs. Meacham for English in 8th grade, in 1977, in San Antonio. She was amazing. She was a great teacher. I remember her stories about growing up in West Texas, she and her high school friends piling into the car and driving out to see the filming of “Giant,” her perception of God as “a big man sitting in an overstuffed red leather chair and smoking a fine cigar, like my daddy!” She was kind and compassionate and caring, a wonderful teacher. I’ve never read any of her books, but recently started writing one myself. It is gratifying to hear how she revised and re-revised. I find that I am doing that extensively also. She was so gracious, and I am sorry that I did not try to reach out to her when she was still alive, to let her know how much she meant to me and inspired me, and how her story and description of her writing gives me confidence to write. RIP Mrs. Meacham.
Michael, I was lucky enough to befriend Leila over the last ten years or so, and I feel she wouldn’t mind my taking the liberty to say that your words and sentiments about her teaching, and how it has impacted your own writing, would have meant an enormous amount to her. As much as she loved writing, she always spoke of teaching and her former students with so much fondness and passion. She was indeed all the things you mention–kind and compassionate, and though I didn’t have the fortune to be officially in a class of hers, she taught me a great deal over the course of our friendship.
You may enjoy reading her books–her voice and spirit come through so unabashedly in every one.
I’m sorry you didn’t get to tell her all this in person–I know how gratifying it can be myself, after doing the same with my high school English teacher and forging a friendship with her as an adult. But Leila would be the first to tell you that she hears, and she knows. 🙂
Thanks for writing and sharing your memories of her, Michael–and good luck with your writing career!
During this holiday season, I was thinking about Leila Meacham and found your blog as I was searching for old videos of her. Leila was one of my dearest friends. It was my great honor that she dedicated Roses to me. FYI, April Storm has been sold and will be published next year. The publisher did some editing on the text and I only hope her beautiful writing style and character development were left intact.
Janice, thanks so much for this comment! First, I’m thrilled to know that April Storm will be finding its way into the world. I know that story meant much to Leila–and her husband, Dick–and have been wondering when it might be published, so thank you for the info. I read an early version and am eager to see the final, and it warms my heart to know her goal of having this last story published will be realized. It’s a departure for her usual style, and one she was excited about, as I’m sure you know.
And of course I know of you from the Roses dedication–Leila told me about you and why she dedicated it to you, and it’s so lovely to “meet” you directly after knowing of you from her.
Thanks for the comment. I continue to be amazed at how many people she’s touched, and to see how connections keep forming thanks to her even after she’s been gone.
The Real Person!
The Real Person!
I just read her last book and greatly enjoyed it!
She would be so thrilled to hear that! It was a heart project for her.