I'm so HAPPY for my sister! Her TV pilot got picked up, and she's marrying a fantastic guy. All in the same month.

It’s SO EXCITING: my sister, a TV writer in LA, was in New York City for a few days because her PILOT was just picked up by ABC. This is huge! With her writing partner, she’s the executive producer of an upcoming show called Women’s Murder Club, based on a series of novels by James Patterson.

Not that many years ago, when my sister and I were home in Kansas City for Christmas, she went to a party with her high-school friends. The next morning, when I got up, she was already awake (a sign that something unusual was afoot) and talking to my parents. She’d been up most of the night, thinking; a friend had said that she was moving to L.A. to start writing for TV, and did my sister want to come, too?

That was Christmas Eve morning. By February 3, my sister had not only decided to move, she had already packed up, left New York City, and was settled in LA and trying to kickstart a writing career.

And now…to get a show on the air!

One reason I find her success exciting is that it reminds me that it’s quite possible to change your life dramatically. Of course, she wasn’t married, didn’t have kids, didn’t own her apartment, didn’t even own much stuff, so that made it easier to change. But still, it was an extraordinary shift, made very quickly. And it worked out.

I think about what she did whenever I’m feeling stuck. I remind myself that I could make a big change, too, and I try to think about what my options are. Usually, I end up deciding that I don’t really want to change – but that, in itself, is a positive outcome.

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That very same sister is getting married to a fantastic guy on May 26. Like she doesn’t have enough to worry about. I’m anxious myself, and all I have to do is walk down the aisle with a bouquet, wrangle two flower girls, and give a toast.

Being involved in the wedding make me reflect a bit on the whole wedding process, and I went back to my bookshelf to re-read my friend Kamy Wicoff’s hilarious and thought-provoking book, I Do But I Don’t. The book is an interesting mix – partly a memoir of her own engagement and wedding, partly journalistic reporting on weddings, partly social criticism. The thing I liked about her book was that it wasn’t an indictment of the kind of wedding with a white dress, engagement ring, bridesmaids, etc. Kamy was very honest both about why she was attracted to model of wedding (which is what she had, and also what I had), and also why she questioned it. Fascinating.

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Looking back on this post, it’s a little flack-y -- my sister’s TV show, my friend’s book. Sorry. I may be a flack, but it’s sincere.

Comments

[Stephanie]

Congratulations to your sister and friend! I just seen the previews to your sister's show the other day and it is one my TiVo will be recording in the future.

[someday]

I think it's great that you actively choose not to change. Just being aware of your choices and deciding life is good takes a lot of self-awareness. Most people just slide through life without thinking about it.

And congrats to your sister - I know how hard the TV industry is to crack!

[Jeri Dansky]

How wonderful about your sister! You didn't sound flack-y to me - just happy. Thanks for sharing your happiness with us.

[Gretchen Rubin]

I'm going to pass along these good wishes, thanks. I guess the big sister in me just couldn't help the bragging.

[Janna]

That is so awesome your sister's show got picked up!! As someone who hopes to be a screenwriter herself, I know that's a huge accomplishment. I wish her and her show the best of luck!

[Nithasha]

Hi Gretchen - avid reader of ur blog here - congratulations to ur sister for the double bonanza in her life right now! you were not being flacky - just a very happy sibling.
your post on gossip really lightened a load off me - it was one thing nagging my soul for ages and ur q as to how to realise whether its gossip or not just woke me up and out of a rut. complaining, feeling victimised et al. thanks a million. hugs and best wishes!

[MoreTimeAndMoney]

Congratulations and best wishes to your sister!!!

[Avital]

That's great. Can't wait to see the new series.

[kare Anderson]

Just the title of the TV show grabbed me enough to want to see it.

Should make for some fun wedding toasts by the irreverent among your family and friends. I remember a book some years back called something like "Why Marriage is Harder Than Murder"

Your exuberance shines through your writing and rubs off on us lucky readers. Thanks!

[Monica Ricci]

Gretchen that is awesome news! Can't wait to see the show! :)
~Monica

[Tomas]

What would have made this post more real and your blog better was if you had talked about how this also scared you, made you jealous, etc.

It's not possible that happiness was your only response.

(I understand not wanting to go there, but that's the difference between writing a book that endures and one that'll be on the remainder shelf in three months.)

[Bob M]

It's your blog.

You may write what pleases you.

[Michelle McKay]

My friend Emilie turned me on to your blog, which I really like to read.

Congratulations to your sister, and here's a small world thing: my best friend from high school (and former roommate when I was trying to "make it" as a producer in LA), is starring in your sister's show. So now I'm doubly hoping it does great!