Spring is upon us and winter has ‘finished.’
The theme of my blogs this month has centered around the ‘end’ of things. From finished books placed on unique bookshelves, to the little things that happen after a writer writes ‘The End,’ here are a few highlights:
Bookshelves to Die For
I discussed bookshelves designed from guitar cases, some utilizing abstract two-piece concepts, to one shaped like punctuation, to a bookshelf situated on box edges. The bookshelf shaped like punctuation (comma? Single quote?) spoke to me most. The concept is so fitting: perfect for classic tomes filling the curves and swirls of this bookshelf.
Polite Teeth Grinding
The takeaway from this blog about fans and readers awaiting their favorite writer to be ‘finished’ their project and release it all boiled down to having patience and refraining from ‘pressuring’ them with status checks. These informal ‘status checkers’ mean no harm. Usually, they’re family and friends who’ve enjoyed a work and are curious and anxious about reading the next one. Writers get that. Still: our teeth hurt from the grinding while smiling politely while providing a vague response. Some of the more cantankerous members of our group however, go the more direct route. No polite teeth grinding for them: they’d just as soon cut their teeth on your feelings by chewing them to pieces for asking such irritating questions. Practicing a bit of patience leads to less stress for your favorite writer … and a pleasant surprise for you when it is finally finished.
‘The End.’ Now what?
In this blog, I discussed those aspects of writing that either end or continue when a project is considered ‘finished.’ When a project ends, writers can hit the pause-button on things like laser-focus on a story, research, and angsty isolation. But self-doubt, endless reconsiderations, and promotion are elements of a writer’s life that maintain a foothold long after a book is placed on the proverbial, unique, bookshelf to die for.
Spring is upon us, and winter has ‘finished,’ and whenever the spring solstice hits, I can’t help thinking about book one in the Dr. Naomi Alexander book series. Like Sweet Buttermilk takes place in the spring, representing a renewal of a marital relationship, and a renewal of inner drive—especially for one of the characters. As my first baby, Like Sweet Buttermilk (a love story revisited) is a happy reminder of this blood-sweat-and-tears writing journey I’m taking. It’s a spring tale forever keeping a spring in my step.
Happy Springtime!
Read on.
