I don’t write to be famous, I don’t write to be known, I write because I am and I want to be read. How sad to fill a room with paintings no one sees or play music no one hears. Writing is talking without sound, singing without score and dancing without movement and yet, it is all of them. It is a solitary art conjured from thought and expressed by the need to communicate.

HEAD SLAPS, SPEED BUMPS and LIGHTBULBS, one woman's WTF, oops and ah-ha moments of life.

They were published once, and as every writer knows, once is not enough.




Thursday, June 29, 2023

   

Well boys and girls I finally did it. I published a book. 

 

Rather than rue the truth of age bias in traditional publishing (ya can’t fight big business common sense) I decided to embrace my age as a huge positive. Can’t write most of the stuff I write and not have history, experience, and wisdom. Life is not made up, it’s real.

 

For thirty-five years I’ve been casting my words upon the waters. For the last couple I’ve put together what I think best communicates what I am about and what I feel best describes what life is about, with humor and a few tears. I’ve been told this book is for all women…almost, and for writers, for sure. It’s an honest book. Not all I have communicated soothes my writer’s soul. Some foolish and even heartless pieces have changed me. I do not have a problem admitting when I am wrong. I was wrong. But being on the mark makes me soar.

 

I’ve learned a lot about self-publishing in the past few months. Asking for help, accepting that I don’t know everything and being patient says it all. Side note: Because you don’t know how or where you are going is not a reason to hand in your ticket and get off the train. Find a travel agent and a conductor who have taken the trip before.

 

Not to bite the hand that doles out snacks along the ride, I learned that the behemoth of book sellers (who offers everything else too) is a difficult and not always best track. Barnes and Noble and sites less known have offered wonderful opportunities. I’ve learned that word-of-mouth from old friends and new readers is a strong and steady route. I’ve also come to recognize when it’s time to shut up and listen.

 

It’s been a long time since posting here. It’s great to be back among old friends in a place that has always felt like home.