editing

Every Writer Needs a Good (four legged) Proofreader

Posted by Barbara Techel

proofreader

My final manuscript has been proofread by myself, my developmental editor and my copy-editor. Now that I have the actual paperback proof copy in hand, I must go through it once again and proofread. I will need to do the same for the ebook version. Not my favorite task, as it does start to feel quite tedious at this stage of the game. But oh, so necessary, as I have found some things that need to be corrected that were not caught the first few times around. Goes to show how important proofreading truly is!

It has been made a bit more cozy and fun with the help of my very special four legged proofreader, as you can see in the above photo. Nothing like a soft ball of fur curled on your lap to make something tedious a bit more enjoyable. Good dog, Joie. Good dog.

Keeping the Faith When the Journey Seems Uncertain

Posted by Barbara Techel

Frankie loved to “help” with fall clean up 

Keeping the faith in your journey when things seem uncertain is when you are yet again called to trust the process. I discovered that this past week as I finally wrote the afterword to my book, Through Frankie’s Eyes: One Woman’s Journey to Her Authentic Self and the Dog on Wheels Who Led the Way.  A big part of me was struggling with having to write it.  I knew I was still resisting because it wasn’t what I wanted it to be. I had other plans for what the afterword would be.  I knew I couldn’t change the fact that Frankie has passed, but oh, how I wanted my book to have a different ending.

I was reminded once again of my individual process and how I work.  I stopped pressuring myself to get it done, understanding that I had to have faith in myself that when the time was right, I would write the last chapter. That day came this past Monday when I knew this was it. I was ready. The stars had all aligned and I was ready to finish this part of the journey that Frankie and I had begun. It all fell into place as my complete focus was on spilling out the last words of my book.

As I wrote the last chapter and reviewed the copy a few more times, I suddenly felt a WHOOSH of emotions flood through me.  Happy, sad, loss, pain, joy, proud, grateful and blessed, just to name a few.  I felt myself wanting to reach down and hug Frankie, to thank her, to smooch the side of her soft face- my heart ached knowing I couldn’t do that.  But then my heart smiled as I realized she was here, she helped me write this last chapter as the beautiful spirit in a world I can’t see, but trust is there- that we are only a thin veil apart from each other.

In the days since, I have realized very strongly that my work with her truly does continue… just in a new way. I’ve also realized once again to trust myself and to know I won’t let myself down. Whatever it is I begin, and know I want to complete, I will.

If you find yourself in what seems like a “stuck” place give yourself time to really think about it.  How do you work best?  Don’t judge yourself on how others work or what is right for them, or how society says we should do things, but what is best for you?  Then trust that— and know you too will come to the place where you need to be at just the right and perfect time.

There is still time to get your limited edition t-shirt & help us celebrate National Walk ‘N Roll Dog Day on Sept. 22, 2012


Available through September 12th only!  Orders your today!
To date, t-shirt sales have raised over $1,200 for the Frankie Fund!!  This will help three more small dogs get wheelchairs who otherwise may not have been able to.  A huge thank you to those who have already helped with this effort!

If you haven’t already, please do follow us on Facebook!  We will be announcing a dog photo contest soon and you don’t want to miss it!  Fun prizes to be given away!

Be sure to also stop by our website and check out some of the recipients of the Frankie Fund. They will steal your hearts!