writing

Seeing It in Print – One Step Closer – I’m a Work in Progress

Posted by Barbara Techel

Today I completed yet another full edit of my manuscript,Through Frankie’s Eyes. At the end of January my editor,Yvonne  left me with the task of editing the majority of my manuscript with suggestions/comments she made on a portion of it. Because I have a limited budget to work with and Yvonne believes in helping authors be better writer’s, I had a lot of work ahead of me.

My initial reaction was that I didn’t want to do it. I felt defeated when she suggested I go through the rest of the manuscript and make improvements based on her suggestions. But after sitting with it a day, I realized I was too anxious to move through the process. I was frustrated it was going to now take longer. Once I made peace with that, I dove right back into it – little by little – each day. As I got into it I felt embarrassed for things I should have caught the first time around – but no use in beating myself up for that now – no time for it. I’m a work in progress.

Today after finishing up with the last edits to the last chapter, I felt elated – I did it!  Anxious for step two of my editing process I drove to the printers and had the manuscript printed out. I had to pay extra to have it done right away, but I didn’t care. I was ready. When the gentleman handed my printed manuscript to me, I got goosebumps.

I made my way out to the car where Frankie was waiting in her doggie car seat. I skimmed through my manuscript and seeing it all in print made me realize that I had now actually written a whole book – tears filled my eyes. I looked at Frankie and patted her on the head – this manuscript I held in my hands is all because of her – my dog on wheels who led the way to me finding my authenticity.

Tomorrow I’m looking forward to taking my printed manuscript along with a red pen and heading to a new coffee shop nearby to start a line by line edit for any other changes I need to make – of which I am sure there will be more. But I can accept that every change I make is another step closer to being a better writer. I’m willing and ready. I’m a work in progress and I love it.

What Do Third Graders, Art, Writing, and Frankie the Walk ‘N Roll Dog Have In Common?…

Posted by Barbara Techel

 

…A very exciting contest in the planning stages… soon to be released to schools in the county I live in. I’ve been collaborating with the very talented artist, Cassy Tully of Cassy Tully-Fine Arts for the past few weeks. We are working on a contest to encourage creativity, writing and reading all rolled into one!

I can’t spill the beans yet until the letters roll out to area schools… but I can tell you that Cassy and I are very passionate about this special project and can’t wait to see what the students come up with in a special design contest we are sponsoring…. so stay tuned.

It’s been a full, productive, soul-fulfilling day in so many ways… a day I am so thankful and grateful for the work that I do and the friendship and support I have of Cassy Tully. Soon time for a walk with Kylie, date night with the love of my life, and snuggle time with Frankie before heading into dreamland.  Oh, how I Iove days like today.

Courage. Faith. Peace.

Posted by Barbara Techel

 

I wasn’t planning on submitting my manuscript for Through Frankie’s Eyes, Lesson Learned from a Dachshund on Wheels this soon. But I submitted it to my editor this morning. I planned on going back in for a 2nd revision on my own before I did. But in trying to gather costs together for editing as well as other costs associated with putting a book together, Yvonne, my editor emailed and said she would need to see the manuscript as is at this point to determine a price for me.

My heart began racing. See my manuscript now?  In all its imperfections? As well as all my thoughts and feelings? This is a tough thing to do as a newbie writer. Well, I’ve been writing on my blog for quite some time as well as articles,and published my children’s books, but this is a whole new venue for me- so it makes me feel a bit vulnerable- but exciting all at the same time.

I sat there staring at the screen saying in my head, “Should I? Shouldn’t I? Should I? Shouldn’t I?” I realized then how important it is to find an editor you trust and feel comfortable with. I feel that way about Yvonne. I know she will help me make my book be the best it can be. I also know she truly understands my mission and my heart. This is important to me also when working with someone.

I jotted back a quick note saying I had planned on submitting this after a second revision and that my manuscript still needs alot of work. I then attached my manuscript file to my email. Then I sat and stared at the screen for what seemed like the longest time… my cursor sitting on the send button, my finger on my mouse… blinking…blinking…blinking.  Ok, here goes…. SEND!

As the day has gone on I feel good about sending my manuscript in its raw form. I can only go up and get better from here. And maybe it was a good thing to submit now so I will have Yvonne’s suggestions and tips to make the 2nd revision even better.

But you know what? It takes courage to share with others what you’ve written. It can feel like you are running naked out in the world! But now that I have hit the send button I find myself excited to hear what Yvonne has to say and how she can help me.

So I just picked a card from my Cheryl Richardson Grace cards and here is what I picked:

FAITH- Have faith. Every event we experience and every person we meet has been put in our path for a reason.

So feeling I needed a little more grace, I picked another card:

PEACE– When we balance silence with activity we discover peace of mind–the source of all joy and happiness.

So time for me to sit in my faith that Yvonne is on my path for a reason, as well as now sit in peace as Yvonne reviews my manuscript. I can do that.