Where is my memoir?
After many months, here is an update on the status of my memoir. Over the last year plus, obstacles attempted to sabotage my efforts. In all honesty, I tried to sabotage the entire book multiple times.
Thankfully I’m married to a man, also a creative, who would not let me turn loose of my dream. He persistently reminded me of conversations we’d had wherein I told him how much I wanted this to happen. To be a published author has been a dream for so long. Bob, love that you’ve got my back and push me forward!
Currently, I’m continuing to rewrite, edit, and revise. For those of you have published your books, you know the vicious cycle it is. Let no one tell you writing is an easy task.
It is a long and arduous, and sometimes lonely, journey from beginning to those two little words, “The End.” During that journey and depending on your story, you may hurt all over again. Or perhaps your story is a happier one and you get to laugh and smile at the memories. Either way writing is not as easy as the reading public thinks it is.
You worry a lot about legal ramifications of those truths you have written. Even though you know they belong to your story, nerves get jangled every time a family member raises questions about what you’re writing. We’re told to write our truth as we remember it. It is our story, and we reassured with the inimitable words of Anne Lamott.
How To Publish my memoir?
Following a lot of reading and then number crunching and head scratching, I decided the course for publishing my memoir. I have chosen to go the self-publishing route with a company of designers and editors at 1106 Designs guiding me to the point of turning it over to IngramSpark for printing and distribution.
It hasn’t been easy to make this decision. There are so many options and opportunities out there for self-published authors. For weeks, maybe months, I vetted the options until I felt comfortable committing to the path D
Part of my reason in selecting self-publishing is a lifetime connection to the printing and publishing industry. My father started his life in printing as an apprentice for a small newspaper in Winchester, Tennessee, and from there he moved to Nashville and began working his way up to some of the large printing and publishing houses there. My parents met working in a printing service in the 1940s. An uncle owned his own printing company. My older brother worked in the printing industry involved in the two-, three-, and four-color process of printing colored materials.
What’s next?
Over the next several weeks and months, I’ll be finishing up my manuscript. A surgery and its recovery period will come up in about a month. With that behind me and a last read-through, I believe (I hope) I will be ready to send this manuscript off.
In the meantime, I’ll keep you posted. I may even call on some of you for help in one way or another.
Community has been the best part of writing my memoir. Online friends and community made it not so lonely and were always sharing their experiences to help the rest of us take the next step.
Keep writing,
Sherrey
I read the other commenters and join them in cheering you on. Not health issues, but family concerns have challenged my progress: buying and selling property, moving last year and clearing out 3 houses in the last few years has eaten up time and has been emotionally and physically draining. Like you, I have a fine husband in my cheering section and an iron will that will not let me quit. I admire your persistence. We’ll get through this, just like the little engine that could. Blessings, Sherrey!
Aren’t these great comments, Marian? I share them with you to encourage and support you as well. Your life hasn’t been on a level playing field of late either. Should we get Cliff and Bob cheerleading outfits and pompoms? As I told Kathy Pooler below, I think my believed desires to “give up” were the result of the pain meds talking. Otherwise, I don’t think I would have ever considered giving up. There were some touch and go days here when I’m sure Bob thought I was losing it on all fronts. I love the reference to the “Little Engine That Could.” Thanks, Marian, for your understanding in the midst of your own journeys.
As a fellow memoir writer, I know your angst Sherrey. But you will get there! I wish you good health my friend. 🙂
Debby, I do know you understand and that’s why your words mean so much. Thank you, dear friend.
Most welcome Sherrey. I await. 🙂
How interesting that printing has been a major part of your family’s business history. Your own book will be a product that benefits from that tradition. It’s daunting enough to write a book, but you have had medical challenges that would have flattened an ordinary person. Keep on being extraordinary you — and it will happen.
Shirley, I often feel as though ink runs through my veins because of our family business history. You always have the write words to say to encourage and support other writers. I suppose that’s why I look on you as a mentor. I’ll attempt to be the “extraordinary you” mentioned above. Thanks for being a part of my supportive writing community.
Dear Sherrey, I am so happy to hear you have reached this momentous milestone, despite all the obstacles in your way. What a loving husband Bob is to refuse to NOT let you give up on your dream. Congratulations on your decision to self-publish. I’ll never forget how your story drew me in years ago so I will be among the first in line to get my hands on your book! It’s wonderful to have you back. I wish you a speedy recovery from your surgery and look forward to hearing more about your progress with both your memoir and your health. Blessings.
Hello Kathy, it is a milestone when we get this far, isn’t it? It’s not been easy getting here with the “obstacles” along the way but having Cheerleader Bob along for the journey has made a big difference. I do think those ideas about giving up were the result of the “drugs talking.” I’ll be continuing to update progress on both fronts here and in the newsletter. Thanks, as always, for your continuing support and encouragement. Blessings to you for restored health and progress on your second memoir.
Hi Sherrey, congratulations on making the decision to go the self-publishing route! Incidentally, look up Canva on Google for possible covers for your book – it may give you inspiration in your discussions with your design and editing company. And editing is an ongoing drama – when you think all is lickity-split and as it should be, those typos keep on coming up -eg those apostrophes. And use your friends for help. Good luck for upcoming op.
Hi Susan, always nice to see you here. Thanks for your kind words and helpful suggestions as I travel a new path within the path of my memoir writing. I’m learning about the ongoing drama of editing. Appreciate the reminder on “those apostrophes!” I’ll keep in mind reaching out to friends for help. Appreciate your ongoing support and encouragement.
Great post Sherrey. Good to hear you found your way back to the path, and bravo for your publishing decision. I look forward to reading the final result.
Sharon, thanks for your kind words and continual support and encouragement. I’ll keep my progress updated here and in my newsletter. You’ll definitely be among the first to read the final result!
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