The Marking of Another Passage. My Manuscript for “Wisdom Found in the Pause – Joie’s Gift” is Done!

Posted by Barbara Techel

The Marking of Another Passage. My Manuscript for "Wisdom Found in the Pause - Joie's Gift" is Done!

I just had to take a moment, dear friends to share with you that at 1:20pm today, Tuesday, July 12th, I completed the writing and major editing of my new book, Wisdom Found in the Pause – Joie’s Gift.

What a ride this has been – a bit bumpy at times – but oh, how I’m reminded again as I typed the last word on the last page the JOY that comes from persevering and following through on the creative process.

Now I shall let it rest for the remainder of the day and night. Tomorrow I will review the Afterword, written today, and then I will be sending my manuscript back to my editor for a final proofread.

This moment of completion of the writing and editing of a book always feels like a full circle moment to me. A passage that will not come again as each one is unique. Each time I come to this completion, which I think will never come, I’m also reminded of how it feels when you finally know this is it. It is done. I’m blissful, feeling complete, and spent all at the same time.

And this calls for celebration and date night out tonight!

But first, taking a moment to sit in a moment of gratitude and thank dear, little Joie, for without her, and the lessons she taught me — this book would have never come to be. I love you and miss you little one.

joie with flowers

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The First and the Last: Always the Most Challenging.

Posted by Barbara Techel
The First and the Last: Always the Most Challenging.
Downtown, Plymouth, WI

Good Monday Morning. Friends, (err, I see it is really afternoon as I glance at my computer clock!)

Just an update as to why I’ve not posted much lately to my blog. I’ve been working on updating my manuscript, Wisdom Found in the Pause – Joie’s Gift with the edits made by my editor.

And this morning I was oh, so close! But then my mouse died.  I’d rather do my edits with a mouse and as much as I could have let this deter me, I didn’t. I wanted it done, and by-golly, I did it. Happy dance here!

Then I ran to Wal-mart and bought a new mouse. He’s sweet and cute… and best of all, he will keep me to the task of finishing this book.  Thank you, dear, little gray and black mouse called Logitech.

It felt good to walk away from the screen and I’d hoped the right words would find me for the last sentence of my book as I drove the eight miles to town – the ones that will make me feel like it is complete.

But I’m stuck again. My challenge in writing any book is usually the first line, and especially the last…. I want to leave the best overall feeling and impression that I can. So it’s one I’m marinating in right now – working and re-working it – until I feel that magical “aha!” that is it – of which hasn’t occurred yet – and I’m hoping it comes soon.  But goodness knows I must remind myself once again to TRUST THE PROCESS -which means sometimes you have to distract yourself momentarily which I’m doing right now by writing this post.

All I have yet to do then is write the Afterward and back to my editor it goes for a final proofread. I’ve given myself a deadline to have the Afterward written by the end of Wednesday. Because then, my friends, I will be immersing myself in a birthday celebration. Thursday lunch with my mom, Saturday movie and pizza with my Prince Charming (my friend Miss Marie calls John this all the time!), then sleepover on my birthday, on Monday at my birthday buddy, Victoria’s house (yup, we share the same birthday!), shopping and lunch with her the next day, and Friday I wrap up my week long celebration with lunch with my dad.

So see why I set this deadline?  I’m feeling oh-so ready to not only whoop up in celebration of my impending 53rd year on this planet but to also celebrate another milestone in my life with this book almost complete.

Okay, back to marinating in words!  Stay tuned….

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“Wisdom Found in the Pause – Joie’s Gift.” The Rewards of Book Editing.

Posted by Barbara Techel

"Wisdom Found in the Pause - Joie's Gift." The Rewards of Book Editing.

Just as it began to storm this afternoon, I finished the editing of the printed version of my manuscript. My first task when I got it back from my editor recently was to go through and read the changes and accept or reject them. I also had to clean up some areas where more clarification was needed.

When that was done, I had the manuscript printed out at my local printers. You’d be amazed at looking at it on paper how you find mistakes you might not have otherwise on the computer. But that is what I’ve been working on this week. And now that task is complete. Next I will make the changes on my file in the computer.  I also came up with chapter titles as I edited the paper version. So now I will let those marinate in my mind and sleep on them for a few nights.

Lastly, I will write the Afterword. I’m sure that will begin to form words and begin to wake me the next few early mornings. That is typically what happens for me. But I’m looking forward to it and welcoming the writing of it.

The rewards of editing have been seeing it come closer to a finished product. And one of the nicest rewards was sitting on my over-sized wicker chair in my writing cottage with Miss Gidget nestled next to me. She has been wonderful moral support.

IMG_2733

And today after I finished the paper edited version, I sat down and s-l-o-w-l-y ate a Ghirardelli dark chocolate and mint square. One must have a special treat when one has worked so hard!

Another reward is feeling more at peace with this book. The book cover is in the process of being designed which is exciting. I can’t wait to share it with you!

And lastly, I’m ready now more than ever to finally let this book go and out into the world to find its way. It’s been a long journey but one I’ve come to understand had to unfold as it did.

I hope you will stay tuned friends and join me in the celebration of the creative process!

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