Home > Pulpwood Queen Blog > Archives > 2006 > July > 07 > Entry
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!
Comments
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By Virginia
July 8, 2006 9:01 AM | Link to this
Congratulations! I am proud of you. I know it was hard work, and whether or not the book is published, you accomplished a great feat in getting it finished. Attagirl!
By Carolyn Haines
July 8, 2006 10:02 AM | Link to this
Kathy,
Congratulations—I’m looking forward to reading your book. As a fellow writer, I understand the issue of weight gain. Food is the only reward that allows you to sit in that chair and keep writing (I can eat and write at the same time!) I tried doing sit-ups everytime I got out of the chair, but that wasn’t a good plan because then I would just roll my chair into the kitchen.
I tried drinking coffee, but when I didn’t sleep for four nights and the neighbors threw a tarp over me and staked it down, I figured I had to come up with a better plan. Ice cream seems to work fine!
I read your endorsement of Kinky with great enthusiasm. I’d be willing to move to Texas to be Kinky’s press agent if he gets elected, or even if he doesn’t! (I love Texas and cowboys are an icon I identify with.) I think Kinky is one of the smartest men I’ve ever met. And one who won’t be swayed by lobbyists or special interest groups. I say let’s get him in the governor’s mansion and focus on the problems he’ll confront head-on.
Carolyn
By Andy "Electroboy" Behrman
July 8, 2006 10:03 AM | Link to this
Greetings from Los Angeles, Kathy!
Congratulations on so much - - finishing your book and also turning 5-0 - - wow!
Just a note - - now that you’ve finished your first book, you ARE a writer (not just a reader), and we can’t wait until pub date!
Please keep us all posted on your publicity plans and how we can all help to promote your book, okay?
Good luck,
Andy Behrman www.electroboy.com
By Lois Oller Nasados
July 8, 2006 7:15 PM | Link to this
Can’t wait! You’d better have a biiig party. After all, we’ve been waiting right along with you.
Lois
By Maary Bill
July 9, 2006 9:30 AM | Link to this
Congradulations!!! I know it’s great to have finally accomplished what you have wanted a long time. Good luck with the publishing. See you next time I’m in Jefferson. Hope I’ll be there for the next PARTY!!! Always, Mary Bill
By Prill
July 9, 2006 3:44 PM | Link to this
I’ve still got that tiara you gave me when I came to Jefferson, but you’re the queen of queens, Kathy. Congratulations on finishing The Pulpwood Queens’ Tiara Wearing, Book Sharing Guide to Life! Having written a book—and made the mistake of telling people that I’m writing another (oh, how I can relate to your comment about the endless questions on when I’ll be done)—I know what hard work it is and how long you’ve waited to see it in print. I hope it hits the stratosphere—the top of all the bestseller lists…and beyond. What better time to turn 50, with so much to celebrate and new adventures right around the corner. (Hope you’re holding on for the wild ride to come.) Who could ask for more? Much love, Prill
By Kathy L. Patrick
July 10, 2006 7:06 AM | Link to this
Wow, if I knew that you all would comment on getting my book done maybe that would have spurned me to get it done faster! THANK YOU Carolyn, Prill, Lois, Carolyn, Andy, and Mary Bill! You have made my day and now onward and upward! I have meetings today on my International Book Club Author Extravaganza to be held in Shreveport next summer, July 13th - 15th, 2007. It is never too early to prepare for an event. My BOOKS ALIVE event November 3 - 5, 2006 is coming along nicely. Just got confirmed Justin Lookadoo and Allison Bottke who are full face outs at Walmart right now. I can’t believe they are coming. And now that The Marshall News Messenger has joined as sponsor and co-host of my Annual Girlfriend Weekend, January 19 - 21, 2007, we are going to have the best event ever! Phil Doran, J. Dann, Jason Headley, have just confirmed and that is additional to the thirty or so I already have booked. The theme is the PUlpwood Queens Go HOLLYWOOD this year which should be amazing with all the stars we have planning to come! Let’s see three book festivals, my book, now a possible radio program, just featured in Texas Journeys, AAA magazine, and more in the works! Looks like all my hard work and all of your support has finally come into fruition. God Bless you all because besides all this, I have a family life too. I am right now in the process of getting my 12 year old off to a confirmation retreat. My oldest just got back from her UM ARMY mission trip and next up our First United Methodist BIG HOUSE mission trip. All these blessings must be repaid, so pay it forward folks. I can assure you that everyone that just wrote me have done just that and MORE! Love to you and onward book soldiers! kat
By June Jordan
July 10, 2006 1:36 PM | Link to this
Kat, I am so proud of you and I know that your family is sick of the book, but I also know how proud they are of you.
You take this time and enjoy this accomplishment. It is one of a lifetime. You will write other books, but this is the first, and has been a true learning experience. You are a wonderful person, and we all love you. Best wishes from one of your fellow Queens! June Jordan, Jefferson Pulpwood Queen!!!!
By Kathy L. Patrick
July 11, 2006 7:30 AM | Link to this
Thanks June, as always your comments just make my day! Book Club meeting tonight at 6:30 p.m. I told everyone to bring Irish pub food as discussing J.R. Moehringer’s The Tender Bar. He book just made BookSense picks and just learned he is now writing for The Los Angeles Times. Unfortunately, he is teaching a writing seminar this week so we will not get to meet him in person or even have him call in for a teleconference to the meeting. But lots of announcements on our coming book festivals so please come if you can. Love, kat
By Nelson Collier
July 12, 2006 11:33 PM | Link to this
Kathy, I am so excited about your book,”The Pulpwood Queens,Tiara Wearing, Book Sharing, Guide to Life”. I was just in Barnes and Noble today, picking up our next to club sections, and it hit me right then and there, authors touch our lives in so many ways; through our imaginations as well as through our emotions. If it were not for great authors, where would our civilize lives be! Recently I gave one of my nephews a book seller gift card for his birthday, in hopes that he too will be able to discover new worlds through books.
By Kathy L. Patrick
July 14, 2006 9:07 PM | Link to this
Nelson, You have always be a champion for promoting literacy and you are absolutely right. Books can change our lives and for the better. If it was not for books, I would not be where I am today. And glad to know that you have learned that the gift of a book is a gift that keeps on giving. Thanks for writing. kat
By Gary Hurst
July 15, 2006 1:26 PM | Link to this
OK, well I am one of that 50 %. I would like to ask you if you would look at some of my work. It is all poetry, but I it tells of my journey since discovering I had laryngeal cancer in late winter of 1996.
I truly would appreciate any help you might give:
Some of my work is at www.allpoetry.com/poets/justmegary
Thanks in advance for your consideration
Gary Hurst
Marshall, TX
By Kathy L. Patrick
July 16, 2006 9:33 AM | Link to this
Gary, I will check it out and I have great compassion for what you went through as my beloved grandmother whom I called “Mudder” had a larengectomy. She had to teach herself how to talk all over again. Always so sad for me and she used to tell me the best stories and we always sang together as we rode back and forth to town from the country. She was always singing and a big talker just like me. She gave me those storytelling skills that I hope to pass on to my two daughters. But she recovered like a trooper and lived on for many, many years until her heart gave out. She wrote me many letters when I moved to California from Kansas. Writing can be a wonderful way of getting through some tough times and issues. In fact, I have always found for me that writing is the poor man’s psychiatrist. Keep writing and we’ll all keep reading. kat The Pulpwood Queen
By Gary Hurst
July 18, 2006 8:05 AM | Link to this
Kathy,
What a dear person you are. If the other “Queens” get a chance I would appreciate their opinions as well
My Goodness I never expected an answer so quickly.
God Bless You
Gary Hurst