Blog Archives - L.J.N. Books - L.J. Nelson

Another Book?

31/3/2018

This week was a busy one with the arrival of the published books being delivered to my door and then spending the rest of the week distributing and mailing complimentary copies to family and friends. A question has been asked of me a few times and I thought I would share my response as a journal entry.

“Are you going to write another book?” It is a compliment, especially from those who I am certain have not even started to read the first book. The idea that a person would want to read more words of mine humbles me. Yes, I have considered writing a second book. It is already in process with some chapters already completed.

I started writing the second book soon after the first draft of the first book was completed. My writing muse seemed to stay in the “on” mode long after the words to the first production were finished.

Many processes in getting the first book published have interrupted the necessary attention needed for writing. I have considerable writing to complete before my words are shaped into pages that resembles a book. This first experience of writing, publishing and promoting a first book will hopefully benefit and support the next one.

Holding Your Own Book

27/3/2018

Last night after all the excitement had passed and I had finished my tutoring obligations, I sat on my couch and held a copy of my book in my hands. The matte cover finish seemed to catch my fingerprints and stop me from opening the pages. I just held the book. While every decision about the book was my own, I felt amazed that this was my book. I knew that this day was arriving but I didn’t expect the emotions attached to the book would be this way.
Eventually, I opened the book and started reading. I have read these pages over and over again during the past year, but it felt like I was reading them for the first time. The words seemed different upon the printed page. Turning actual pages to reach more words seemed foreign to me. While viewing the digital version those previous times, I never turned a page.
I stayed up, finished reading the entire book and then set it back onto the shelf where my copy will sit. I wrote a book.

Procrastination and Editing

23/3/2018

Today was to be scheduled for completing month end work for my tutoring business. I found myself continually distracted by the excitement and "newness" of publishing a book. This procrastination of completing needed work and avoidance behaviour is similar to when I was editing my book. I finished writing the first draft of the book at the end of December 2016. I had asked local editors to look at my early drafts. Each time their corrections and suggestions came back, I would put that returned draft aside for a time and find reasons to be busy elsewhere. I have always enjoyed writing for my own pleasure and emotional health; however, I am as aware of my strengths in writing as I am aware of my challenges in writing. The editing stage of publishing this book was an emotional and at times, mental challenge. Editing of the book started in January of 2017 and the final draft, that I signed off in approval, was completed in early February 2018. This writing stage became a journey of self realization, balance and trust.

Creating the Cover

22/3/2018

One of the early requirements in the self publishing journey was to start considering what I wanted my cover to look like. That was one of the first questions from the publisher who produced my book.
My memoir is about perception and how I have never really regarded myself as different for the majority of my years. For the cover, I wanted to create a visual reflection of my physical image that represents how I see myself.
My idea was to use the shading from the sun setting in the west, creating a tall, long, shadow image of me with my legs extending for forever.
This is one of my first attempts.

First Day on Site

20/3/2018

You know those times when you are feeling way out of your comfort zone? I am there. Having a book formally published, and working on sharing this accomplishment with others, is a new journey. One part of me is excited, expectant and proud. The other part of me is saying, "What am I doing?"