The Straight Spouse

I crossed paths with this quote from Jack Kornfield, author of Buddha’s Little Instruction Book (Bantam, 1994): “The trouble is, you think you have time.”

These eight words moved me to take action. I have been chasing after my dream to publish my memoir for several years: workshop after workshop, critique after critique, agent query after agent query, writing and rewriting a crackerjack book proposal.

The final nudge came when I read these resolute words from Louisa May Alcott: “If I can do no more, let my name stand among those who are willing to bear ridicule and reproach for the truth’s sake, and so earn some right to rejoice when the victory is won.”

Now I feel time is of the essence. No more fussing about my manuscript, no more revisions, no more delays. I asked myself, “What’s possible? What’s reasonable? What’s desirable?” And then I made a firm decision: The best year ever to publish my book is now. So that’s what I’m doing.

I’ve learned so many lessons about preparing a book for publication. It’s been a marvelous adventure so far. I’ve developed a new appreciation for all (at least a million!) decisions a writer makes all along the way. I’ve also learned to expect curve balls. Fortunately, I’m no stranger to curve balls, as evidenced by the subject matter of my memoir.

You may notice the rollout of my book is rather unconventional. For example, my paperback is published before my ebook (available 9.15.17).

Note: Only the paperback version of my book contains every word of a poem that literally changed my life titled “Repairs” by Susan Bright, thanks to permission granted by Plain View Press. If ebook readers want to see this poem, it is part of an excellent collection of poems in a book titled Bunny  (not available in digital format) at this link: https://plainviewpress.com/product/bunny/.

Furthermore, as a courtesy, I want to first distribute my book to my family (it’s a surprise!), as well as those who are part of my story and those who helped me in the creation of my book. That’s just the way I am. We’ll see how this all works out.

Most important of all: Blessed are they who read with an open mind and an open heart.

I am terrified of being misunderstood.

Am I choosing the right words? Do I unintentionally offend someone? Am I writing to impress or express? Are my sentences clear and concise? Do I have the correct spelling and correct pronunciation? Does what I have to say matter? Does anyone really care?

I wrestle with these questions and many more, as most writers do, on a daily basis.

But I also think about the alternative: Never mind. Remain silent. Be a turtle and stay inside my shell. Pretend everything will turn out okay for everyone else without my voice in the wilderness.

Then I ponder the words of C.S. Lewis when he wrote these words in his book, The Problem of Pain:

“God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: it is his megaphone to rouse a deaf world.”

I also embrace this advice: “We should not write so that it is possible for the reader to understand us, but so that it is impossible for him to misunderstand us.”—Quintilian (Marcus Fabius Quintilianus), rhetorician (circa 35 – 100 AD)

So I decide to rise up, take a fresh look at my journey, and dare to tell my story. Why? Because I believe in the power of storytelling, which can help others along the way.