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Friday, July 7, 2006
To write a book, or to not write a book. Was that ever a QUESTION?
This blog is late as I had a more pressing writing project. I have been in the final editing process of my book, “The Pulpwood Queens’ Tiara Wearing, Book Sharing Guide to Life� to be published by Hachette Book Group USA, formerly known as Time/Warner Book Group.
I had sent the manuscript to my agent, Marly Rusoff of Marly Rusoff & Associates. She had found some grammatical errors, was going to tweak it a bit, go over it one more time to proof, send it back to me to proof and then send on to my editor, Amy Reinhorn at Warner Books. I stayed up most of the night last night to reread for the umpteenth time my story, the story of how books saved me and why I am on a mission to get America reading.
My book is a simple story. Nothing fancy, I have always been a reader not a writer that explains why it has taken me nearly five years to complete. If nothing else comes from the publication of my book, I have learned more about myself in the past five years than I could have possibly imagined.
They say one out of every two people want to write a book. I am sure that is true as we all have great stories. My advice to anyone who ever want to write a book? Do not just talk the talk, walk the walk. Write it first then tell everybody.
My family is sick of the book. My husband refuses to read it because as he put it, “Why should I, I have lived the story.� He has a valid point. My two girls just quietly leave the room when I announce, “Hey, girls, listen to this.� They have heard it all before. The only thing in retrospect that I wish that I had of done was not told anyone I was writing the book, until it was finished.
However, how could I? These stories were so great I just had to share, and share, and share. Well, you get the picture.
Therefore, if this book ever does come out I have decided that after I make the announcement of the publication date, I will just stop and be quiet for a moment. Oh, whom I am kidding, me be quiet? Never! No, I am going to have the biggest party for myself, even bigger than my birthday parties I throw for myself. Why? Because I have lived to tell the tale. Writing this book, I think, about killed me. It was the hardest thing I have ever done in my life. I bow to author’s feet, shoot I will kiss them because writing a book is hard. Let me dig ditches any day and I swear it would be easier.
I gained ten pounds for every year I worked on the book. That is right. Thank God, the book did not take ten years or you would have to roll me around on book tour. I am in the second week of getting back to my pre-physical non-published author self and killing myself walking the track, panting for breath. A slice of pie is a great reward for a page of work but after nearly 400 pages, that is a lot of pie. Believe me, the fat needed cutting on my book and on me.
So I will continue to huff and puff around the track and dream of that publication date.
Right now, I am sick of writing, I am ready to read for I am a reader. Bring it on authors, bring it on publishers. I am now gearing up for a much slimmer version of myself and three book festivals ahead. I have a lot of catching up to do for body, mind, and spirit.
So now, if you are thinking about writing a book, write it. Just do not tell me or anybody else until it is done. Believe me, it would have been a lot easier, and you won’t have to hear everyday of your life. How is your book coming?
I also have put a new plan of action into play for the next book. Instead of a slice of pie as a reward for a well-written page, I am changing that to one mile on the track. I will eat a whole pie when the pub date is announced to celebrate, call it even. Where to get the best pie? Come to Jefferson, Texas and go to The Hamburger Store which has a homemade three berry made with rhubarb that is killer warmed with a scoop of Blue Bell Ice Cream. Come to momma!
So now back on track, back to reading and stay tuned for more literary adventures with the Pulpwood Queen. Be watching for the pub date and the book, which will be hot pink with leopard trim, you can’t miss it!
Tiara wearing and my First Book Sharing!
Kathy L. Patrick
Founder of the NOW International Book Club, The Pulpwood Queens!
