Tuesday night it finally happened -I finished my book, my memoir! It is now 11 years, and 20 days in the making. I felt a rush of pride and elation, then I felt a slight letdown (it's done, I no longer have it to work on and relive) and finally I felt an immense sense of being overwhelmed.
I do not want to focus on being overwhelmed because the benefits of writing this book have already been so plentiful. I cannot wait to share our love story with others -I hope it both entertains and inspires. I am so proud for having stuck with something for so long -and it was hard work! I am in love with my husband all over again after reliving our story. I have a family legacy to someday leave behind to my own children. I have a renewed desire for travel and adventure. And the list goes on.
I say the book is "done," but there are still a few lingering questions/decisions I need to make before publishing. There are a few letters and a few memories that I am still unsure if I feel comfortable publishing -this is after all, very personal. I am still unsure of the title. I have changed it several times and it still doesn't feel quite right. I also need to work on the cover art a bit more -I have an idea for it, I just need to do it. Once I tweak these things, I will really be ready to publish!
Oh, to publish...this is the source of my sense of being overwhelmed. I do not know where to start. I am afraid of making the wrong publishing choices and dooming my book. It is not that I lack confidence in the book itself -How can you go wrong with a love story, a coming of age story, an immigration story, and a travel story all woven into one and set on the backdrop of beautiful Costa Rica?! The story is one that people will want to read, this I know...but how do I go about getting it into their hands, or on their devices?
I just spent the afternoon investigating "Kickstarter," which is a social investment platform. People choose to "back" my work and earn rewards in the process. I could earn money to have professionals help me publish. I looked over several projects, and I think my book has what it takes to be a successful project. It does look to be daunting to get started though. I am not afraid of hard work, but anyone who has ever worked in public education knows that the month of may is often the most difficult. I always compare it to being in a race and seeing the finish line, and then you fall and just don't know if you can get up again. So anyway, the month of may is tough without adding an investment campaign to my plate...but as you will see in my book I do not give up, so be on the lookout because my work is soon coming to a publisher near you!
I do not want to focus on being overwhelmed because the benefits of writing this book have already been so plentiful. I cannot wait to share our love story with others -I hope it both entertains and inspires. I am so proud for having stuck with something for so long -and it was hard work! I am in love with my husband all over again after reliving our story. I have a family legacy to someday leave behind to my own children. I have a renewed desire for travel and adventure. And the list goes on.
I say the book is "done," but there are still a few lingering questions/decisions I need to make before publishing. There are a few letters and a few memories that I am still unsure if I feel comfortable publishing -this is after all, very personal. I am still unsure of the title. I have changed it several times and it still doesn't feel quite right. I also need to work on the cover art a bit more -I have an idea for it, I just need to do it. Once I tweak these things, I will really be ready to publish!
Oh, to publish...this is the source of my sense of being overwhelmed. I do not know where to start. I am afraid of making the wrong publishing choices and dooming my book. It is not that I lack confidence in the book itself -How can you go wrong with a love story, a coming of age story, an immigration story, and a travel story all woven into one and set on the backdrop of beautiful Costa Rica?! The story is one that people will want to read, this I know...but how do I go about getting it into their hands, or on their devices?
I just spent the afternoon investigating "Kickstarter," which is a social investment platform. People choose to "back" my work and earn rewards in the process. I could earn money to have professionals help me publish. I looked over several projects, and I think my book has what it takes to be a successful project. It does look to be daunting to get started though. I am not afraid of hard work, but anyone who has ever worked in public education knows that the month of may is often the most difficult. I always compare it to being in a race and seeing the finish line, and then you fall and just don't know if you can get up again. So anyway, the month of may is tough without adding an investment campaign to my plate...but as you will see in my book I do not give up, so be on the lookout because my work is soon coming to a publisher near you!