book: n. A long work fit for publication, typically prose, such as a novel or textbook, and typically published as such, a bound collection of sheets.
"So, now that the book is coming to completion, are you going to begin writing the blog again?" The question posed by my niece set me to thinking. It has been a long time since I placed an entry in the blog. Perhaps you thought I had fallen off the face of the earth. Where have I been?
"What's the difference between a manuscript and a book?" my daughter asked. "Sometimes you call the writing a manuscript; other times you call it a book." My personal analogy is that a manuscript can be compared to a pregnancy where the fetus is an unborn child. It is no less a baby, but it cannot be held nor can it live on its own. Upon reaching full term development, birth takes place. And so it is with a manuscript, and a book is born.
Many years ago, I was given a small hand-written slip of paper. A prophetic statement of sorts, one of the things written on it was that I would become a writer of psalms. Tucking it in my wallet, I carried it with me until my purse, along with the wallet, was stolen. It had become worn, the penciled writing faded, but occasionally I would pull it out and read it. Its loss saddened me more than anything else that had been taken.
Over the years, I made an attempt at fulfilling those words, but, alas, I found I had nothing to say. Finally, I stopped trying.
Several decades later, probably four or more, the need and desire to share a message, that of God's love for HIs creation and His desire for relationship and friendship, began to develop, and this blog was born. I never connected it to that quiet message from years gone by, but perhaps there is one.
Essays have been the means of expression as I happily wrote away, sharing the experiences of God in my daily life. My intent and desire is not to tell anyone how to live their life but, rather, to promote thought, for questions to be asked, for life to be considered in a spiritual, eternal light instead of just a physical, temporal one.
After quite a number of posts had been written, the thought entered my mind--What would happen if I made a compilation of these entries, creating a book? It seemed like a simple, practical idea, that of placing the essays under a single cover.
I began by taking several sample entries to a local editor. Her response was encouraging and unexpected as she supported the validity of the writing, suggesting I self-publish. The first task was to print out all of the posts from the blog, almost 200 of them. Working from that stack, a format began to develop. This should be a piece of cake, I thought. After all, everything is already written, and all I have to do is just arrange it in a readable manner. I was in for the surprise of my life. And that is where I have been.
Writing, editing, and rewriting is solitary and time-consuming, but I wanted it to be done well and done right. Hour upon hour has been spent with pencil in hand, going over the entries time and time again. I'm not sure how long it has taken, but it correlates to the scarcity of new blog posts.
Self-doubt has come like a tsunami, receding, then returning again, as I am not a trained writer. My writing and what I write about is raw, a personal exposure of me and my life. Vulnerability is ever present. At times I withdrew, the process and project too daunting.
Several months ago, I sensed a deadline and, with it, subtle pressure. Time is always of the essence, and timing is everything. I was asked to make a commitment to complete what I had begun. And that is where I have been.
Needing an illustrator for the cover page and chapter inserts, I asked my Heavenly Father for one. She had been right under my nose all along, my son-in-law's mother. I could not have asked for any better as she has captured the message and the spirit of the writing to a "t." They are beautiful, and it is my honor and privilege to share them.
Needing an editor as well, my own search was like looking for a needle in a haystack. Google and its resulting choices and options were overwhelming. I asked my Heavenly Father for one, and He delivered. While plodding along, I received a message out of the blue from a childhood friend saying she was "just wondering if you are looking for help" along with the name and recommendation of one. "Yes! Yes! Yes" was my response, "an answer to my prayer." The connection was made and the push was on toward completion.
The manuscript was sent intact to the editor very recently. She is thorough, competent, and just plain good. Her kindness is evident as she presents her assessments with objectivity. The final revision is near completion, and there is the possibility it will be delivered to the publisher next week.
This is a self-publishing project, as I feel it is important that I am the one who decides the message I want conveyed and how that is done. A publishing package was purchased many months ago, an incentive to keep moving forward. When I spoke with the publishing company last week I was told there is a turnaround time of two to three months after they receive the manuscript until it is delivered as a book.
The emotions, the feelings run deep as the things I write about are so personal. How will the book be received? Will it be overlooked as just another feeble effort of an amateur writer? How well am I able to deal with criticism and ridicule? Of course, I have no way of knowing, but it has not stopped me in the journey or the quest of reaching the finish line.
The desire of my life has always been to make a difference, not only for this life but for all eternity. If only one person is touched, then it will have been worth the time and the effort.
After what feels like a very long pregnancy--a very, very long one--I have the sense birth is taking place. The manuscript is becoming a book. It must stand on its own; I am neither propping it up nor supporting it. It is either a living work, or it will simply fade away.
And that is where I have been. Thank you for your patience.
I will let you know when I am able to introduce you to "Tidbits and Pearls--A Book of Essays on Living Everyday Life With God."