One word for all of you: Thanks.
Thanksgiving is nearly here, and I will be spending it cooking up a multi-course meal for my mom and my mother-in-law. Second year in a row--spoil the moms! My husband and I won't let them wash a dish or even fold a scrap of laundry. Fold laundry? Well, yes. If you knew my mother you would see why that is such a challenge--the minute she is through the door she is searching for that ever-elusive basket full of unfolded clothes, ready to dig in. Bless her heart! I love my mom.
The book journey is now in post-publication. What a great time this has been! So many people have been there for me through the whole dang thing--when it was just a kernel of an idea, to the outline, the first draft, the second draft, the third draft, the fourth draft, (shall I go on?) the first proof, the second proof (and good golly, not this again), the final, the book signings, the events. Some of you let me ride your UConn Morgans (WOW!) Some of you bought me chocolate (Yes!) So many of you gave me smiles, hugs, words of support and best of all, your friendship.
You told me what I needed to hear, not just what I wanted to hear, and that, my dear friends, is what helps me grow as a writer, an artist and a person.
And, at least one of you surprised me at my UConn Book signing wearing a custom-made "Helen Rules" t-shirt. But, that's not all--did you happen to catch the public display of dancing prowess to Jessica Simpson's A Public Affair in the middle of the Ag quad? It happened, folks.
Now I am officially a published author, and this makes me giddy--and grateful.
Now, Helen--what did we learn? Hmmm? I learned that I love this quote by Stephen King:
"Don't let the sun go down without saying thank you to someone, and
without admitting to yourself that absolutely no one gets this far
alone.”
I also learned this stuff, and now, I pass it on to you:
1. Writing a book takes a long time and requires commitment and focus. There's no way I could have accomplished this feat if I told myself "I'll do it tomorrow." Do it TODAY. Right now.
2. No one creates in a vacuum. Surround yourself with people who lift you up, share your vision, cheer you on, and enrich your soul.
3. The first draft of anything is crap. I think Hemingway used a stronger term, but you get the idea.
4. If you write in your voice, it will sound genuine. Write from your heart. Write poems. Write with tears. Write with love.
5. There is such a thing as Debut Author Anxiety. Please, don't worry about it. You have people who believe in you. Believe in yourself.
6. Take a walk on the chilly days. It's motivating.
7. Learn to let go of "just one more thing...." Just get on with it.
8. Lean on a mentor or two. They are there to tell you lovely things like "time will make it better" or, "I've done that, too."
9. Don't be afraid to ask questions. Gather stories. Listen. Transcribe with open ears and a closed mouth.
10. Independently-published authors: don't skip the editor and the designer because you think you can. You can't.
11. Be grateful, every day.
Thanks, everyone.
Helen
PS get the book here https://www.createspace.com/4071314
PPS the book is also available at the Willimantic Food Co-op, 91 Valley St. Willimantic, CT
PPPS and Amazon. (AND I just discovered another 5-Star review on there this morning! Thank you!)
I was so excited to discover this book as I am a graduate of the UConn Animal Science Department. Reading the book and perusing the photographs brought back a lot of memories. I especially appreciate the attention given to UC Ringmaster, who was the top stallion at UConn during my time there. The author writes in an informative and heartfelt manner, and some of the stories brought tears to my eyes! She is also a talented artist and her painting was used for the cover and her drawings are sprinkled throughout the book.~review from 'New Englander' on Amazon.com
