My former husband, Mike Parker, aka "The Font God" has given me permission to write his life. This is huge for both of us. Now I have a focus for my writing, and a focus for my life - Losing my ability to work as a headhunter left me rudderless. My audience may be limited but in his eighty one years, Mike's work has touched anyone who has used the Linotype Library, read about his discoveries/revelations on Times Roman, used Pages on Apple's I-Works or used his elegant new typeface, Starling.
I am having a hard time sleeping because this is on my mind. On so many levels, being Mike's biographer is right for me to do and it is the right time. Today, I will write letters to my stepdaughters; my stepson is already enthusiastically supporting the effort.
I can put on my recruiter hat and do the research into the 3/4 of his life I was not a part of..the really productive typographic years of his life..before the Pages software segue. "Starling", the masterpiece typeface- recognized by the Financial Times of London, last September- will add to Mike's Linotype legacy. He might have saved the best for last, but it all must be recorded. He deserves the recognition.
Life is so strange in the patterns it weaves.
What a subject he is! As a former wife, I have access to him, his stories, his records, his/our family, his friends, his homes, his associates (including even his enemies.). I know where the bodies are buried. He is giving me free rein.
For a first time biographer (first time any genre writer), this is fantastic. I am so excited. He wants our grandchildren to know who is. Because I have remained close to, and love all of them, he trusts me to tell the truth. He also accepts I will tell the Whole truth. By my lights, this alliance heals whatever was damaged between us. The focus is saving my life.
Onward!
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