To see my name on the front of a book again sends shivers up and down my spine. It's not some egocentric thing for me like, "wow, check me out." That's not it at all. It's humbling. I am thankful for whatever writing I can do or whatever contributions I can make to someone else's writing. I am truly humbled to be a part of something that is so much bigger than I will ever be, something will last beyond my life and my children's lives.
For me, life is so much like a book. Each day is a different page, each week a different chapter. To transfer the everyday life into words on the page can be daunting. It's not easy. At least not for me. For my piece in A Book is Born, I stayed up many nights writing, writing, and writing some more to only walk away with a paragraph to show for my effort. With a little perseverance and luck, however, the outcome can be spectacular.
That is what I see with A Book is Born - something spectacular, something that made the journey from life into words, sentences and pages with great success. A Book is Born is more than simply a book on how on to write a book and get it published. It enables you to see these women - us - go through the many ups and downs of having our work come to life. Nancy Cleary seamlessy ties these up and downs together in 237 pages that will have readers walking away with insights into getting published and everything else - good and bad - that goes with it. Few stones are left unturned in this journey.
Blessings,
Jennifer
I tore open the packaging of my first copy of A Book is Born when I found it on my steps. I wondered how it would feel when I saw it. I had assumed this would be a different experience for me. I was not the sole author of this book. It had been created by Nancy Cleary with contributions by myself and my amazing colleagues in the mom-writers publishing co-operative. It was Ms. Cleary's vision of her "baby" that helped make this book a reality. I read it from cover to cover. I was interrupted briefly by my 7 year old daughter who asked what I was doing. I showed her the book, my name, the dedication with her name on it. I briefly explained about how I was a part of the team of women writer's who helped write this book and what it was about. She smiled, jumped up and down, and ran in the room to tell her best friend about what I was holding and how cool a book it was.
As I finished reading A Book is Born I realized that I had the same sense of pride being a small part of this as I did with my own book. I had imagined that because so many of us participated in writing this book and it was Nancy's creation I would feel a bit more distance. I must confess I felt some of the same butterflies opening this book that I did with my own. My colleagues words combined with Nancy's information/resources/experience on the journey of a writer erased any emotional distance (imagined or real) that I might have had.
I realized my pride was on multiple levels. I was so proud to be a part of a book that offers so much to help other writers dream of being an author become a reality. It tells my story and the story of many, many others. I am incredibly proud and lucky to be a part of this group of bright and talented women. What a force this group has become! Their passion and wisdom jumped out at me as I read their words. It feels wonderful to be a part of this project. My daughter sometimes asks me if I am a social worker or a writer. Today I told her I was very proud to be a writer!
Guess who didn't make it to soccer practice today?
My daughter, Zoe.
I have a fabulous idea. I'll blame it on my publisher who lives far away. None of the soccer moms know her.
Forget that Zoe is having a playdate and would have to be forced into shinguards and cleats like a dog into a cage. Forget that I have to go to Target tonight to retrieve goods for a dinner party I'm hosting tomorrow. Forget that it's witchy weather outside and I'm in the mood to write.
I can blame Nancy, because A Book is Born was delivered by the postman two hours ago, and I have been absorbed, moved by words, and inspired to the point that getting the book out of my hands would be like taking a T-bone away from a dog. It ain't happenin'.
God, I wish I'd had this book prior to writing mine. And that is the beauty of the book, it has so much valuable advice and information that it will help someone like me. Someone who dreams of being published but is scared by the process. Someone who wants to speak to the world but is intimidated by the power of words and those who use them carelessly. Someone who feels something stirring inside them, literary quickening, if you will, and asks for a sign to dictate their writing destiny.
I'm done re-reading my input, shaking my head at the things I wonder if I should have said. Yes, I state that drinking wine helped me come up with a book idea. Yep, I can quote Animal House (and Bull Durham, and Field of Dreams, and Jaws, and Gone With The Wind...) word for word. But I'm not the Lindsay Lohan of the Co-Op. I speak Latin, as a matter of fact - in vino veritas. That means "In wine there is truth." I have all sorts of inspirations and roads to what is within me, I don't have to be sipping Chardonnay (although it helps, like the way some rock bands made better music when...nevermind) and I am no longer afraid to speak with brevity about who I am and how I create.
I'm not done re-reading the other authors' input. They are fine people with character and experience in their voices and purpose in their messages. When I need another sign, I'll refer to what they say in A Book is Born. We've all been brought together by Nancy and what a visionary she is...and how proud I am that my literary voice found a home in the publishing world, in MWPC, and right back into me where it is stronger than ever.
My daughter missed soccer practice. I've been in three books. It's my publisher's fault.
I didn't plan it, it planned me! (And the turnout was probably better than it would have been with planning =)
No sooner had we taken delivery and loaded the pallet of books into the back of our truck – I found myself in the middle of my first, albeit impromptu, book signing for "A Book is Born" at the Deadwood Country Store.
I was nesting all morning waiting for the delivery. I moved two printers out of my office I hadn't been able to connect to for years. I had the co-author envelopes all lined up and ready to be stuffed. The tissue paper was ready to swaddle them in. And a page of stickers to serve as safety pins!
I signed 24 copies as quickly as possible for the co-authors, burrito-wrapped them, and priority mailed them. I hope everyone will post their first responses here...
Cheers to the Co-Op! WE DID IT!!!!!!!!
