It’s been a couple of weeks since we sent Ellen our email. We know that she is an extremely busy woman. Actually, I saw her on one of those late-night Home Shopping Network segments, selling dog and cat cleaning supplies. [I loved your gloves, Ellen.]
Taking that into account, Ellen may be a bit too busy to have the time to email us back, let alone help us on our project. Don’t get me wrong! We’re not giving up on her… just giving her some space. [Ellen, call us!]
In the meantime, we will be reaching out to some other people we feel could help us out. If more than one person answers our call for help, all the better!
I was listening to one of Gayle King’s audio clips about Challenge Day (July 27, 2010’s episode) with Yvonne St. John Dutra and Rich Dutra St. John. It made me check out video clips of the MTV show, If You Really Knew Me. As I watched the episodes, I was amazed at how this series was succeeding in helping high school students become more open, vulnerable, compassionate, and accepting of each other and of themselves.
All that got me thinking — mainly about Gayle King, since she was the one who introduced “Challenge Day” to me. I wondered if she would be interested in reviewing our short manuscript — or book proposal or sample chapters or whatever she would like to review — and give us her opinion…
So, that’s what we did. We sent Gayle King an email…
I know this sounds silly, but when I hit the “send” button, I felt like I was cheating on Ellen... somehow. I hope Ellen will understand…
What if both Ellen and Gayle contacted us?
Wouldn’t that just be the most FABULOUS problem to have?
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Monday, September 27, 2010
How Obsessed Am I With This?
How obsessed am I with this?
Oh! I am BEYOND obsessing and have moved into being positively possessed with this publishing pursuit.
I’m sure I’m driving Katherine crazy, but she never shows it — but then again, she rarely comes around the house, anymore.
I know I keep making minor changes to the “finished” book and keep adding new materials to our new book. I know I have loaded down her email box with more and crazier ideas to get us discovered. The agenda for our weekly meetings grows and grows with steps to implement this or that new strategy, while still juggling the strategies that came before.
She’s very calm and patient when I talk to her about it — never discouraging, although I have noticed her distancing herself from me, more and more…especially, when the crazed-glazed gaze comes over my eyes, my pitch starts to rise, my speech starts to speed up, and my words start tumbling over each other...
Motivational masters tell us that all we need to do is visualize what we want in our lives, and it will magically appear for us. If you need a screwdriver to fix a light socket, all you have to do is visualize a screwdriver, and it will magically appear on the sidewalk on which you’re walking. There’s nothing to it.
I can’t and won’t dispute their claims or beliefs, but I’m what you call an optimistic realist. Instead of sitting down, visualizing, and waiting for a screwdriver to appear, I get up and go to the toolbox.
Nonetheless, I am trying the technique, just in case it does work. At the office, I keep picking passwords that focus on the positive thoughts of getting published — like mini-prayers throughout the day. The current password is associated with our Ellen DeGeneres plan.
The IT guys will be upset with me if they find out I told you this, so I’ll make sure I change the password before I post this.
On the other hand, it would be interesting to see if the IT guys barge into my office, reprimanding me about revealing my password on the Internet. At least then, I would know that someone is actually reading these posts, which could mean that we’re one step closer to being discovered…
Oh! I am BEYOND obsessing and have moved into being positively possessed with this publishing pursuit.
I’m sure I’m driving Katherine crazy, but she never shows it — but then again, she rarely comes around the house, anymore.
I know I keep making minor changes to the “finished” book and keep adding new materials to our new book. I know I have loaded down her email box with more and crazier ideas to get us discovered. The agenda for our weekly meetings grows and grows with steps to implement this or that new strategy, while still juggling the strategies that came before.
She’s very calm and patient when I talk to her about it — never discouraging, although I have noticed her distancing herself from me, more and more…especially, when the crazed-glazed gaze comes over my eyes, my pitch starts to rise, my speech starts to speed up, and my words start tumbling over each other...
Motivational masters tell us that all we need to do is visualize what we want in our lives, and it will magically appear for us. If you need a screwdriver to fix a light socket, all you have to do is visualize a screwdriver, and it will magically appear on the sidewalk on which you’re walking. There’s nothing to it.
I can’t and won’t dispute their claims or beliefs, but I’m what you call an optimistic realist. Instead of sitting down, visualizing, and waiting for a screwdriver to appear, I get up and go to the toolbox.
Nonetheless, I am trying the technique, just in case it does work. At the office, I keep picking passwords that focus on the positive thoughts of getting published — like mini-prayers throughout the day. The current password is associated with our Ellen DeGeneres plan.
The IT guys will be upset with me if they find out I told you this, so I’ll make sure I change the password before I post this.
On the other hand, it would be interesting to see if the IT guys barge into my office, reprimanding me about revealing my password on the Internet. At least then, I would know that someone is actually reading these posts, which could mean that we’re one step closer to being discovered…
“The pessimist complains about the wind;
The optimist expects it to change;
The realist adjusts the sails.”
The realist adjusts the sails.”
William Arthur Ward
Friday, September 24, 2010
Let’s Dance While We Wait
For the next couple of weeks, we are pretty much in a holding pattern. We’ve come to the conclusion that our time would be better spent in developing and following other alternatives, than sending out queries to more literary agents. While we are working through new strategies, we are still waiting for some outstanding agent queries to be answered. Maybe one of those will come through for us. We can only hope.
But if nothing comes from them, that’s OK. We won’t be discouraged. How can we be?
Honestly. How can either of us ever be discouraged with what we’ve accomplished thus far?
Make no mistake about one thing. Katherine and I did not write this book just to get published. Although it would be nice to receive some — OK, lots of — income from this, that is not our main focus.
In this first book of ours, we set out to reveal the intertwining elements needed for a strong and lasting friendship. As the book whispers its secrets, the reader experiences the richness of a friendship few have known. Along the way, those who accept the invitation will personally experience what it is to have a friend and be one in return.
Writing that book was such an enriching experience that we are now working on a second book, which is aimed at teens and adults who are in a transitory time in their lives. That book has practically written itself as well. It is both thrilling and humbling to be a part of all of this.
Neither of us wants this to end. Our plan is to continue to write on various observations and thoughts about relationships, as well as conduct workshops, classes, presentations, etc.
No. No matter what happens on this journey of ours, we will never be discouraged. We’ve invested too much of ourselves in this dream of ours. There’s just too much at stake to give up so soon.
No. We will not surrender so soon.
So, the only viable option for us is to dance while we wait.
Come join us.
But if nothing comes from them, that’s OK. We won’t be discouraged. How can we be?
Honestly. How can either of us ever be discouraged with what we’ve accomplished thus far?
Make no mistake about one thing. Katherine and I did not write this book just to get published. Although it would be nice to receive some — OK, lots of — income from this, that is not our main focus.
In this first book of ours, we set out to reveal the intertwining elements needed for a strong and lasting friendship. As the book whispers its secrets, the reader experiences the richness of a friendship few have known. Along the way, those who accept the invitation will personally experience what it is to have a friend and be one in return.
Writing that book was such an enriching experience that we are now working on a second book, which is aimed at teens and adults who are in a transitory time in their lives. That book has practically written itself as well. It is both thrilling and humbling to be a part of all of this.
Neither of us wants this to end. Our plan is to continue to write on various observations and thoughts about relationships, as well as conduct workshops, classes, presentations, etc.
No. No matter what happens on this journey of ours, we will never be discouraged. We’ve invested too much of ourselves in this dream of ours. There’s just too much at stake to give up so soon.
No. We will not surrender so soon.
So, the only viable option for us is to dance while we wait.
Come join us.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Another Day, Another Bunch of Ideas
I’m getting antsy again and Katherine seems nervous when I am, because it usually means I’m thinking up more things to do…
Here’s my thinking…
If publishers aren’t willing to open the doors for new authors, we just have to find someone who could blow open those doors for us.
One of the first persons who came to mind was Ellen DeGeneres. She’s very personable, funny, fun, entertaining, and talented. She has a lot of energy and resources. She seems to be very interested in helping talented people become discovered. Why don’t we ask Ellen for her advice?
What’s the worst thing that could happen?
What’s the best thing that could happen?
What will probably happen?
What do we have to lose?
It was settled. We emailed Ellen DeGeneres and asked for her opinion on our book project, and we’re waiting a couple of weeks for her reply before we move onto our next creative plan.
We know she is a very busy person, and has thousands of loyal fans writing to her daily, asking for favors, giving suggestions, wanting to be on her show, etc. I know that we will end up being one of the thousands of emails she’ll receive, so we don’t expect a quick response from her, if we receive one at all — but it’s nice to dream.
In the meantime, we are researching and creating a list of possible potential publishers that we’d like to contact. We’re following the same strategy we did with the literary agents. We are also sending out copies of our manuscripts to various people Katherine has encountered through her speaking engagements and associations, to see if anyone in those groups can help us in our pursuit.
We also started this blog, hoping that some angel out there would notice us. If any of you know of someone who knows someone who knows someone, please tell them about these two delightful ladies who deserve to be published… and to clear up any confusion, those two delightful ladies would be us.
Here’s my thinking…
If publishers aren’t willing to open the doors for new authors, we just have to find someone who could blow open those doors for us.
One of the first persons who came to mind was Ellen DeGeneres. She’s very personable, funny, fun, entertaining, and talented. She has a lot of energy and resources. She seems to be very interested in helping talented people become discovered. Why don’t we ask Ellen for her advice?
What’s the worst thing that could happen?
- Well, she could tell us our book stinks, I suppose; but Ellen is too nice a person to do that to us.
- She could completely ignore us, but she’s too nice to do that. Most likely, her inbox is full of thousands of emails that it would take months for her to get back to us. I don’t consider that being ignored.
What’s the best thing that could happen?
- She could take an interest in our project, and guide us on our way to a publisher.
What will probably happen?
- Most likely, we won’t hear from her for a long, long time. When we do, we’ll receive the nicest encouraging letter of hope from someone on her staff, wishing us luck in our endeavors.
What do we have to lose?
- Nothing.
It was settled. We emailed Ellen DeGeneres and asked for her opinion on our book project, and we’re waiting a couple of weeks for her reply before we move onto our next creative plan.
We know she is a very busy person, and has thousands of loyal fans writing to her daily, asking for favors, giving suggestions, wanting to be on her show, etc. I know that we will end up being one of the thousands of emails she’ll receive, so we don’t expect a quick response from her, if we receive one at all — but it’s nice to dream.
In the meantime, we are researching and creating a list of possible potential publishers that we’d like to contact. We’re following the same strategy we did with the literary agents. We are also sending out copies of our manuscripts to various people Katherine has encountered through her speaking engagements and associations, to see if anyone in those groups can help us in our pursuit.
We also started this blog, hoping that some angel out there would notice us. If any of you know of someone who knows someone who knows someone, please tell them about these two delightful ladies who deserve to be published… and to clear up any confusion, those two delightful ladies would be us.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Can’t Tell the Future
Had another restless night
Turned on the TV
An old I Love Lucy episode was on
She was writing a novel
She sent it to ONE publisher
She got an acceptance letter and an advance for $100
I didn't know if this was a sign of our future or a sick joke
Turns out Lucy's publisher got the manuscripts mixed up with another
The acceptance letter and advance wasn't for her
Her book was rejected
She destroys all her copies of the book and throws the pieces of her dream away
I didn't know if this was a sign of our future or a sick joke
The publisher felt really bad about the mix-up
He sent the manuscript to another publisher
The second publisher was interested in publishing her book
The Lucy Gang spent the next scene piecing together her manuscript and her dream
Still, I didn't know if this was a sign of our future or a sick joke
Lucy contacts the second publisher
He explained that he wanted to insert sections of her book
Into a text book he's working on about how to write a best-selling novel
Her entries would be included in the chapter titled…
"Don't Let This Happen to You"
Sadly to say, I still don't know if this is a sign or just a sick joke…
.
Turned on the TV
An old I Love Lucy episode was on
She was writing a novel
She sent it to ONE publisher
She got an acceptance letter and an advance for $100
I didn't know if this was a sign of our future or a sick joke
Turns out Lucy's publisher got the manuscripts mixed up with another
The acceptance letter and advance wasn't for her
Her book was rejected
She destroys all her copies of the book and throws the pieces of her dream away
I didn't know if this was a sign of our future or a sick joke
The publisher felt really bad about the mix-up
He sent the manuscript to another publisher
The second publisher was interested in publishing her book
The Lucy Gang spent the next scene piecing together her manuscript and her dream
Still, I didn't know if this was a sign of our future or a sick joke
Lucy contacts the second publisher
He explained that he wanted to insert sections of her book
Into a text book he's working on about how to write a best-selling novel
Her entries would be included in the chapter titled…
"Don't Let This Happen to You"
Sadly to say, I still don't know if this is a sign or just a sick joke…
.
Monday, September 20, 2010
How Do You Reach Publishers?
How do you persuade another person to listen to you
When that person isn’t interested in what you have to say?
How do you give yourself to another person
When that person isn’t aware of what you have to give?
How do you show another person your passion
When that person doesn’t see you standing there?
How do you open another person’s mind
When that person’s mind is locked from the inside?
How do you touch another person’s heart
When that heart is full of material things?
How do you convince another person of your value
When that person values money over relationships?
How do you reach people like these
When you can’t even get their attention?
How?
.
When that person isn’t interested in what you have to say?
How do you give yourself to another person
When that person isn’t aware of what you have to give?
How do you show another person your passion
When that person doesn’t see you standing there?
How do you open another person’s mind
When that person’s mind is locked from the inside?
How do you touch another person’s heart
When that heart is full of material things?
How do you convince another person of your value
When that person values money over relationships?
How do you reach people like these
When you can’t even get their attention?
How?
.
Setting Sights on New Directions
So, now you’re up to date. To recap: The publishing industry is cut-throat and grows increasingly competitive; 187,000 books came out in the last year (2009) alone. The major New York houses that literary agents deal with are looking for authors with wide media access and books with national sales potential; and in the current economy, they are hesitant to take on even the strongest of new clients.
This sobering realization has prompted us to sit down and do some brainstorming to try to jump the obvious hurdles that are in front of us. Definitely, some unconventional avenues need to be explored if we're to be "picked up" by publishers.
This sobering realization has prompted us to sit down and do some brainstorming to try to jump the obvious hurdles that are in front of us. Definitely, some unconventional avenues need to be explored if we're to be "picked up" by publishers.
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Hugs, My Friend…
I woke up this morning, trying to remember what day it was, in case I had to get up for work.
I smiled when I realized it was Saturday.
Then I remembered what I had to do today, and my smile disappeared.
I just learned yesterday that my gym buddy, Gladys, died on Wednesday. She was a wonderful person. Her loving spirit shone through every piece of her and brightened my soul. Her presence made such a difference to those she touched. I’m so glad that she was part of my life, which makes it difficult to think of my days without her.
Her memorial service is today. I plan to attend, even though I’m a total stranger to her family.
Her family won’t know me, so why do I have such a strong desire to go?
How comforting are words of condolences when they come from a total stranger? I don’t know, but I feel that I need to go.
Maybe, it’s to comfort the family; maybe it’s to say goodbye to my friend; maybe it’s to say goodbye to Katherine’s grandmother. Yes, Katherine’s grandmother died this week, too — and she’s another person that I’ve never met but with whom I feel connected.
I know it all sounds so silly, but I feel like I have a relationship with Gladys’ daughter, through Gladys’ love for her — and it’s hard for me to accept that I will be losing contact with her daughter along with losing Gladys. It feels like I'm losing two friends at the same time. That’s just too difficult for me to do… too difficult to accept… too difficult to just let go...
It’s weird because, even though I have never met these people, I feel a loss. It is like a couple of candles have gone out, and my world isn’t as bright.
Maybe if Gladys wasn’t as special as she was, I wouldn’t be feeling this way, but I feel that I have to do something. I feel that I have to tell her daughter that her mother loved her very much. Gladys was so proud of her and was so proud to be her mother. I know her daughter already knows these things, but I have a need to reinforce it, today. I feel the need. I feel…
I just wonder… how comforting are words of condolences when they come from a total stranger?
I don’t know, but I do know that Gladys would be pleased that I tried… at least I tried.
** Hugs, My Friend… You will be missed and not forgotten... **
.
I smiled when I realized it was Saturday.
Then I remembered what I had to do today, and my smile disappeared.
I just learned yesterday that my gym buddy, Gladys, died on Wednesday. She was a wonderful person. Her loving spirit shone through every piece of her and brightened my soul. Her presence made such a difference to those she touched. I’m so glad that she was part of my life, which makes it difficult to think of my days without her.
Her memorial service is today. I plan to attend, even though I’m a total stranger to her family.
Her family won’t know me, so why do I have such a strong desire to go?
How comforting are words of condolences when they come from a total stranger? I don’t know, but I feel that I need to go.
Maybe, it’s to comfort the family; maybe it’s to say goodbye to my friend; maybe it’s to say goodbye to Katherine’s grandmother. Yes, Katherine’s grandmother died this week, too — and she’s another person that I’ve never met but with whom I feel connected.
I know it all sounds so silly, but I feel like I have a relationship with Gladys’ daughter, through Gladys’ love for her — and it’s hard for me to accept that I will be losing contact with her daughter along with losing Gladys. It feels like I'm losing two friends at the same time. That’s just too difficult for me to do… too difficult to accept… too difficult to just let go...
It’s weird because, even though I have never met these people, I feel a loss. It is like a couple of candles have gone out, and my world isn’t as bright.
Maybe if Gladys wasn’t as special as she was, I wouldn’t be feeling this way, but I feel that I have to do something. I feel that I have to tell her daughter that her mother loved her very much. Gladys was so proud of her and was so proud to be her mother. I know her daughter already knows these things, but I have a need to reinforce it, today. I feel the need. I feel…
I just wonder… how comforting are words of condolences when they come from a total stranger?
I don’t know, but I do know that Gladys would be pleased that I tried… at least I tried.
** Hugs, My Friend… You will be missed and not forgotten... **
.
Friday, September 17, 2010
Learning Lots in the Process
We had more than 400 agents to choose from, which we scaled down to 240, and then down to 50, and then came up with our Top 10 choices. We tried to increase our probability of being accepted by focusing our efforts on the agents who were more likely to pick up first-time authors and were interested in our subject matter. Also it was important to us that the agent’s personality and work ethic matched ours, so that this partnership could develop into a long-lasting relationship. [We’re all about relationships.]
We got our book proposal ready, worked on getting our query letter personalized, and selected a couple of sample selections from our book to send to inquiring agents. We set up a timetable and schedule. We gave each agent the time they required to adequately review our materials. We sent follow-up correspondence as per their instructions. Again, we did everything right.
How can I say this with a straight face?
Because we received the nicest encouraging letters of hope that we could have hoped for...
We got our book proposal ready, worked on getting our query letter personalized, and selected a couple of sample selections from our book to send to inquiring agents. We set up a timetable and schedule. We gave each agent the time they required to adequately review our materials. We sent follow-up correspondence as per their instructions. Again, we did everything right.
How can I say this with a straight face?
Because we received the nicest encouraging letters of hope that we could have hoped for...
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
The Next Step
In our opinion, our book-baby was ready to head off to college; therefore, the process of selecting the right college had to be our next step.
That wasn’t a problem for us. All we needed to do was complete and present the submission applications to the various publishers or literary agents, and wait for the acceptance letters to come pouring in. We figured the hardest part would be to select the right publisher/agent amongst the slew of offers that we would be receiving. We didn’t want to make a mistake at this stage of the game.
And no, I haven’t forgotten about my friend who offered to help me publish my book after hers was published. The glitch in that plan was that her book wasn’t completed yet. We can’t jump on her coattails of success if her tailor isn’t done making her jacket yet… so, at this point, we had to forge ahead on our own...
We did our homework for this stage. We googled how to go about getting a book published; we went to the library and checked out various books on the subject; we talked to bookstore owners to get their feedback and advice; we contacted the person who was in charge of book acquisitions for our main library, so we could understand how libraries went about acquiring their inventory. We worked on developing our query letters and book proposals. We did our market research and identified what made our book unique from all the other books that are out on the market.
We decided to contact agents first, instead of going directly to publishers. Most publishers do not accept unsolicited manuscripts and rather work with literary agents. Most won’t give you the time of day unless you are recommended by someone — a literary agent, an accomplished author, or a high-profile personality who can guarantee high sales of the book.
With this information in mind, we tried contacting Sam Keen, who is the author of the fabulous book, To Love and Be Loved. I highly recommend you getting a copy and reading it… of course, after purchasing ours first (when we finally do get published. that is).
Anyway — back to Sam. His insights and genuineness prompted us to contact him, hoping that he would mentor us through this adventure we were on. We knew it was a long shot, but it never hurts to ask.
A surprising thing happened. No, he didn’t take us up on our offer, BUT he did send us a really nice encouraging letter of hope.
Yes, we were disappointed, but not discouraged. We just moved on to the literary agents.
That wasn’t a problem for us. All we needed to do was complete and present the submission applications to the various publishers or literary agents, and wait for the acceptance letters to come pouring in. We figured the hardest part would be to select the right publisher/agent amongst the slew of offers that we would be receiving. We didn’t want to make a mistake at this stage of the game.
And no, I haven’t forgotten about my friend who offered to help me publish my book after hers was published. The glitch in that plan was that her book wasn’t completed yet. We can’t jump on her coattails of success if her tailor isn’t done making her jacket yet… so, at this point, we had to forge ahead on our own...
We did our homework for this stage. We googled how to go about getting a book published; we went to the library and checked out various books on the subject; we talked to bookstore owners to get their feedback and advice; we contacted the person who was in charge of book acquisitions for our main library, so we could understand how libraries went about acquiring their inventory. We worked on developing our query letters and book proposals. We did our market research and identified what made our book unique from all the other books that are out on the market.
We decided to contact agents first, instead of going directly to publishers. Most publishers do not accept unsolicited manuscripts and rather work with literary agents. Most won’t give you the time of day unless you are recommended by someone — a literary agent, an accomplished author, or a high-profile personality who can guarantee high sales of the book.
With this information in mind, we tried contacting Sam Keen, who is the author of the fabulous book, To Love and Be Loved. I highly recommend you getting a copy and reading it… of course, after purchasing ours first (when we finally do get published. that is).
Anyway — back to Sam. His insights and genuineness prompted us to contact him, hoping that he would mentor us through this adventure we were on. We knew it was a long shot, but it never hurts to ask.
A surprising thing happened. No, he didn’t take us up on our offer, BUT he did send us a really nice encouraging letter of hope.
Yes, we were disappointed, but not discouraged. We just moved on to the literary agents.
Monday, September 13, 2010
Testing the Waters
During our editing and proofing stage, we let our book-baby go on sleepovers to friends’ houses, to see if it could stand on its own and fend for itself.
We sent the book out to some of our friends, who, in turn, sent it to their friends. We even asked one of the cute waiters at a restaurant we frequented if he would read the manuscript and give us his opinion. [And yes, that was an inspired way of getting a cute guy’s contact information.]
In this experiment, we solicited feedback from both men and women — people we knew and people we didn’t. At the end of it, we were not only overwhelmed by the positive feedback from everyone but by their request to share the manuscript with even more friends and family.
One person believed so strongly that everyone would benefit from this book that she wanted to buy multiple copies to give as gifts to friends and family. She even asked if there was a way to get the book into the school systems’ required reading lists.
Another wanted to buy a copy for her sister, to gently help her identify the destructive relationship into which she has fallen.
Another sent a copy to her boyfriend to read. They started using the manuscript as a communication tool to help with misunderstandings that come up between them.
If we weren’t bewitched and spellbound before these reviews came back, we were by then.
We sent the book out to some of our friends, who, in turn, sent it to their friends. We even asked one of the cute waiters at a restaurant we frequented if he would read the manuscript and give us his opinion. [And yes, that was an inspired way of getting a cute guy’s contact information.]
In this experiment, we solicited feedback from both men and women — people we knew and people we didn’t. At the end of it, we were not only overwhelmed by the positive feedback from everyone but by their request to share the manuscript with even more friends and family.
One person believed so strongly that everyone would benefit from this book that she wanted to buy multiple copies to give as gifts to friends and family. She even asked if there was a way to get the book into the school systems’ required reading lists.
Another wanted to buy a copy for her sister, to gently help her identify the destructive relationship into which she has fallen.
Another sent a copy to her boyfriend to read. They started using the manuscript as a communication tool to help with misunderstandings that come up between them.
If we weren’t bewitched and spellbound before these reviews came back, we were by then.
Friday, September 10, 2010
Baby, It’s Time to Move On
Through this process, I have learned that it is much faster to author a book than to co-author one.
Twelve months, three versions, and six additional revisions later, we ended up with something pretty close to the manuscript I originally had. To me, that was a sign that the creative stage of the project was done, and it was time to move on to the next stage… oh, please, please, please, let us move on to the next stage!!!
I’ve heard people equate writing their book to giving birth and nurturing it as if it’s their baby. If that is the case, then I was ready for this baby to grow up, get the heck out of the house, and make some money for its tired, old mama!
Twelve months, three versions, and six additional revisions later, we ended up with something pretty close to the manuscript I originally had. To me, that was a sign that the creative stage of the project was done, and it was time to move on to the next stage… oh, please, please, please, let us move on to the next stage!!!
I’ve heard people equate writing their book to giving birth and nurturing it as if it’s their baby. If that is the case, then I was ready for this baby to grow up, get the heck out of the house, and make some money for its tired, old mama!
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Bewitched -- (an excerpt from our Rock Opera)
Lie and tell me what I want to hear
Keep me spellbound and enchanted
Don’t wake me from this trance
Just give me this chance
Charm me into believing
That I can accomplish it all
In the midst of failure and need
Feed me with the courage to succeed
It doesn’t matter how long it takes
It doesn’t matter how much money I’ll make
I’m holding on to this force so bright
Guiding me towards what feels so right
I try to hide my exhilaration
From those who cannot understand
They will scoff and call it a scheme
Discarding it as a lost and futile dream
Even though they look, they do not see
They cannot feel what they cannot hold
A vision that sparkles with delight
Or a unique idea taking flight
Now that this has awaken inside me
I will keep it burning within
Some will treat this as a sin
I do not envy them, nor do I listen
Lie and tell me what I want to hear
Keep me spellbound and enchanted
Don’t wake me from this trance
Just give me this chance
Keep me spellbound and enchanted
Don’t wake me from this trance
Just give me this chance
Charm me into believing
That I can accomplish it all
In the midst of failure and need
Feed me with the courage to succeed
It doesn’t matter how long it takes
It doesn’t matter how much money I’ll make
I’m holding on to this force so bright
Guiding me towards what feels so right
I try to hide my exhilaration
From those who cannot understand
They will scoff and call it a scheme
Discarding it as a lost and futile dream
Even though they look, they do not see
They cannot feel what they cannot hold
A vision that sparkles with delight
Or a unique idea taking flight
Now that this has awaken inside me
I will keep it burning within
Some will treat this as a sin
I do not envy them, nor do I listen
Lie and tell me what I want to hear
Keep me spellbound and enchanted
Don’t wake me from this trance
Just give me this chance
Monday, September 6, 2010
Coauthors and Cocktails
Katherine and I were at one of our weekly dinners when I tested the waters concerning this latest project idea.
I already shared with her various entries/pieces of what will later become the manuscript, so she already knew what I was working on since the Rock Opera writings were put to rest.
The big question was, was it something she would like to be associated with and involved in? Although it would be better if two friends were coauthors on a project like this, was it a project she wanted her name on? Was it something she would commit and devote her time and energy to co-write, promote, support, and distribute?
Again, I have no problem writing this stuff. Actually, my biggest problem with writing is turning the creative faucets off — at least long enough for me to get enough sleep to be productive at the job that pays my bills.
No. My problems rested in the marketing and promotional skills that I lacked. I would have to rely on someone else — preferably Katherine — to do that with me. I’d like to rely on Katherine’s communication and people skills, along with her experience as a speaker, to pull me through the promotional engagements that would be required to get this book published and us discovered.
I gave my pitch to Katherine while we were waiting for a table at the restaurant.
By the end of dinner, we were picking out what we would be wearing on Oprah.
I already shared with her various entries/pieces of what will later become the manuscript, so she already knew what I was working on since the Rock Opera writings were put to rest.
The big question was, was it something she would like to be associated with and involved in? Although it would be better if two friends were coauthors on a project like this, was it a project she wanted her name on? Was it something she would commit and devote her time and energy to co-write, promote, support, and distribute?
Again, I have no problem writing this stuff. Actually, my biggest problem with writing is turning the creative faucets off — at least long enough for me to get enough sleep to be productive at the job that pays my bills.
No. My problems rested in the marketing and promotional skills that I lacked. I would have to rely on someone else — preferably Katherine — to do that with me. I’d like to rely on Katherine’s communication and people skills, along with her experience as a speaker, to pull me through the promotional engagements that would be required to get this book published and us discovered.
I gave my pitch to Katherine while we were waiting for a table at the restaurant.
By the end of dinner, we were picking out what we would be wearing on Oprah.
Friday, September 3, 2010
Coattails of Success
Around this time — no, maybe a bit before — another friend of mine was working on her own book and had asked if I would proof/edit her chapters for her. With every encounter, she would poke and prod me into believing that I had a book in me — even more than she did — and I should just sit down and write it. She’d follow up this statement with the promise that, once her book makes it big, she’ll help get my book published. She had friends in the publishing business… in New York, no less!
So, we struck up the deal. I’ll edit her book for the promissory note of getting my nonexistent book published once she makes it big… somewhere down the line.
It wasn’t until I started working on her fifth chapter that I thought I had better put some serious thought to my own book, just in case she did make it big. I couldn’t let the opportunity of jumping on her coattails of success pass me by!
It wasn’t hard to get my book together. I already had the idea and outline formed and about 75% of the pieces had already written themselves by this time. I just had to organize and formalize them into a book setting.
I really liked the format that I had developed with the Rock Opera project, so I followed that design. I know using that model of mixing formats and focusing on emotions was not commonly seen in published materials, but I thought it would be the best model to use. It gave me the ability to infuse the book with as much feeling as its pages could hold. The freedom from standard formats gave me the freedom to create intimate settings and emotional dialogues that spoke more deeply to the reader than motionless, traditional text could ever do.
It was a risk I was willing to take. Then I got to thinking…
My book was on friendship. A lot of what was in it came from my interactions with friends over the years, but most of the recent entries/pieces were spurred on by my discussions and interactions with Katherine. I wondered if she would be interested in making this into a joint venture. We worked on that Rock Opera project, so why couldn’t we do this together?
So, we struck up the deal. I’ll edit her book for the promissory note of getting my nonexistent book published once she makes it big… somewhere down the line.
It wasn’t until I started working on her fifth chapter that I thought I had better put some serious thought to my own book, just in case she did make it big. I couldn’t let the opportunity of jumping on her coattails of success pass me by!
It wasn’t hard to get my book together. I already had the idea and outline formed and about 75% of the pieces had already written themselves by this time. I just had to organize and formalize them into a book setting.
I really liked the format that I had developed with the Rock Opera project, so I followed that design. I know using that model of mixing formats and focusing on emotions was not commonly seen in published materials, but I thought it would be the best model to use. It gave me the ability to infuse the book with as much feeling as its pages could hold. The freedom from standard formats gave me the freedom to create intimate settings and emotional dialogues that spoke more deeply to the reader than motionless, traditional text could ever do.
It was a risk I was willing to take. Then I got to thinking…
My book was on friendship. A lot of what was in it came from my interactions with friends over the years, but most of the recent entries/pieces were spurred on by my discussions and interactions with Katherine. I wondered if she would be interested in making this into a joint venture. We worked on that Rock Opera project, so why couldn’t we do this together?
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Filling the Void
Putting down that pet project of ours was like having to put down a beloved pet before its time. The hole it left behind was massive, and I longed for something new to keep my creative mind occupied and my hands busy.
I racked my brain as to what I could write about.
I heard that the basic rule of successful writing is to write about something you know. If you write about something you don’t know, you’ll mess up on some fact or detail and blow whatever credibility you might have had as a serious writer.
Not only did I have to come up with something I knew a lot about, but I had to select something that I wanted to write about AND that people would want to read about. That was quite a tall order. Very few things in my repertoire met those three criteria. Actually, just one thing came to mind, and that was largely due to my interactions with Katherine.
When two or three friends gather together to discuss what’s going on in their lives, their neighborhood — and the world in general — by the end of the session, the group would have solved all the problems laid out before them, including world peace and world hunger.
Katherine and I are no different, but our discussions would always focus on relationships and how friendships play strong roles in people’s lives. We would ponder what elements were needed to support a good relationship as well as what elements destroyed relationships. By the end of each discussion, we would conclude that meaningful relationships were the key to a fulfilling and happy life... and how sad it was that very few actually invested their time and their “selves” in pursuing this type of happiness.
These discussions made me think seriously about the concept of friendship. How does one become proficient in the art of friendship? Although we learn much about friendship during our school years, we didn’t take any academic courses or classes focused on friendship. Instead, we have to spend a lifetime experimenting on each other — with most of us getting it wrong. Those who are persistent and courageous enough to actually discover the secrets of loving and lasting relationships seem content to take their secrets with them to their graves — albeit, with a satisfied smile on their faces.
All of a sudden, I figured out what I wanted to write about.
I racked my brain as to what I could write about.
I heard that the basic rule of successful writing is to write about something you know. If you write about something you don’t know, you’ll mess up on some fact or detail and blow whatever credibility you might have had as a serious writer.
Not only did I have to come up with something I knew a lot about, but I had to select something that I wanted to write about AND that people would want to read about. That was quite a tall order. Very few things in my repertoire met those three criteria. Actually, just one thing came to mind, and that was largely due to my interactions with Katherine.
When two or three friends gather together to discuss what’s going on in their lives, their neighborhood — and the world in general — by the end of the session, the group would have solved all the problems laid out before them, including world peace and world hunger.
Katherine and I are no different, but our discussions would always focus on relationships and how friendships play strong roles in people’s lives. We would ponder what elements were needed to support a good relationship as well as what elements destroyed relationships. By the end of each discussion, we would conclude that meaningful relationships were the key to a fulfilling and happy life... and how sad it was that very few actually invested their time and their “selves” in pursuing this type of happiness.
These discussions made me think seriously about the concept of friendship. How does one become proficient in the art of friendship? Although we learn much about friendship during our school years, we didn’t take any academic courses or classes focused on friendship. Instead, we have to spend a lifetime experimenting on each other — with most of us getting it wrong. Those who are persistent and courageous enough to actually discover the secrets of loving and lasting relationships seem content to take their secrets with them to their graves — albeit, with a satisfied smile on their faces.
All of a sudden, I figured out what I wanted to write about.
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