In the Land of Words
The mind of an author wants to put words down on paper. Everyday the mind is stuck In the Land of Words. In the beginning, words are placed on any type of paper so that the idea doesn’t leave the mind. A napkin? Oh, yes. Hand them a napkin in a restaurant when there isn’t any paper around. Soon, they will learn to keep a small notepad in their purse or pocket.
An idea creeps into the mind of an author, and the race is on to get a book out to the public, who will hopefully want to read it. For some, the story slowly crawls out of the subconscious about a family matter from a long time ago, or the story could be about some off the wall fiction that can be only considered coming from the mind of a person with a warped mind, and it could take a year or more to put together. Others can jot down words fast as lightning and get their manuscript together in a matter of months.
Whatever way, the idea for a story that enters the mind and ends up on a legal pad or a laptop, it’s a time consuming process. Time lines and events have to be in order. In some books, there are photos or illustrations to go over. These have to be in order, also. You don’t want the mailman photo in the chapter where the photo of the supped up Corvette goes. This process takes hours upon hours to complete and arrange, so the illustrations fit the story.
Then, the story has to have a plot. Oh my, a plot! Yes, there has to be a beginning, a middle, and an end. Each part should be interesting to hold the readers attention, and don’t forget that there has to be a climax to your story. A part to the story that everyone will always remember.
There has to be a trash can near by for editing. Don’t forget the trash can! Make it a BIG one. Editing is the most important part of the whole process. This takes up even more time than getting a story on paper. Question, questions, questions!
Are all of my commas in the right place? Should this sentence end with the word at? ...No, I don’t think so! A paragraph should begin here. I should have used the word then instead of than. Oh my, now what? So, you get someone to help you edit.
Now…everything is in order, and it’s off to the publishers. People in the next state can see your smile, because all of your hard work is sent off to be put into print. You have accomplished your life long dream. You’re now a published author.
You order a large amount of books, because for sure your family and friends will want one. Oh, yes there is Aunt Jane and Uncle Harris, not to forget your children, grandchildren, neighbors, and people you do business with. They’re all going to want a copy. It’s such an exciting time.
Your books come in, and you proudly display them on your book shelf. You land a feature article in your local newspaper, and a magazine wants to do a cover story on your book. You’ve made it big time, at least in your small town. All of your hard word is inside of 250 pages, and you can’t wait for someone to read the story you wrote. You’re on cloud nine and nothing can ruin your good feeling!
Then……..the phone calls start coming in about how proud they are of you, so you decide to have a book signing. It''s exciting. At your first book signing they ask.
"Do we have to buy a book or will you GIVE us a copy?"
Has this happened to any of you?
© February 2007 Mary Lynn Plaisance
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I really don''t mind giving, but when ladies go to a Tupperware party, do they expect the hostess to GIVE them what they are there to SELL?
It''s the same thing with a BOOK, ya''ll. :)
