The sixth B stands for book, blueprints and a wonderful buzz about it all

Last Tuesday I signed my contract with the publishing house and I am now officially a signed up author. 

I have a divine publisher, she is young, clever, fun, modern, edgy and wonderful to work with. And I am not only saying that because she reads my blog. Although she does. Read my blog, that is. Which is a little weird for her and for me. But not too weird.

After meeting with her last Tuesday I was so fired up. My book felt real for the first time. For the first time I realized that I might actually see my book in bookstores. I am so excited about it. I am going to camp out in the bookstores and point at the book and tell everyone who passes that I wrote that book. And they MUST buy it.

The writing is going really well. The beginning bit was hard, finding my ‘voice’, my rhythm, but the more I wrote, the more into I got. I am going to go back and redo the beginning.

I wrote A LOT while I was on leave in December. I wrote through the hardest part of the book, the part around when Ben was born. That was very hard to write. I opened his memory box to get my old diaries from that time. I hadn’t written a lot in the diaries but there was some stuff there. I took out all the memory items in the box and held them for a little while. His ashes. The lock of his hair. His hand and footprints. Phew. It was hard. V hard. I had one particularly bad day, when I wrote about his last few days. I called my mom and cried on the phone. She was at my house within five minutes. We had tea and spoke, I felt better afterwards.

But it got easier. The more I wrote, the more into I got. And I wrote and wrote and wrote. Every spare moment. The minute the kids went down for their nap, as soon as I put them down at night.

Last Sunday night, I finished the first very rough draft of the story, from beginning to end. As I wrote the last chapter I got such a sense of pride. In myself. Not only for the writing the story, but staring in the story. It has been such a ride, my god it has been such a hectic ride. I can’t believe I came out the other side (semi) sane.

I’ve submitted the first, very rough draft to my publisher because I want her input. Which was v v scary to do because it feels so personal. And because it is a very rough draft. I still have to go back and flesh the story out, add detail, explain things. But I wanted her input at this stage, before I do down a route that might or might not work. 

While I waited for my publisher’s feedback on the first draft I decided to give myself a three night break from writing, hence the abundance of blog posts and the ‘B’ week. It has been so damn difficult to find time to work, mother, write, drink wine AND blog. The blogging part is the one thing I haven’t managed to keep up with. Oh and my emails, I owe so many of you return emails. I just haven’t had the time, sorry darlings. I’d give up the wine, but you know….

I am very excited about the book, I am very chuffed with myself for having stuck with it, for putting in the long hours. Between working full time, the babies, you lot and drinking wine, I’ve really had to put in lots of time, and there is still lots more to come, but I think I have done really well. I don’t want to write when the babies are awake, that is their time, so I steal every single free moment I have, when they are asleep, at night etc. I don’t have much time for myself left over. I have no time to read, or relax or nap. And I will admit to feeling the pressure of deadlines. This three night break is the first break I’ve had in ages. It felt like a holiday. But doesn’t matter, writing this book has been wonderful, a fantastic experience, and I am very proud of myself for doing it.

Writing takes ages. I can spend hours writing just a few pages. It takes a while to get into the writing rhythm, so grabbing an hour or two is not really ideal. But I really am enjoying it; I just wish I had more time. 

So, bottom line, the book is going really well, the first draft is in. I am really excited about it. Can’t wait to see it in print. SO excited.

Yay me.

PS I have another article published in this month’s Shape magazine, the South African version. An infertility article. I’ll link to it when it becomes available online. Busy busy busy. Am fabulous, widely published author. Is there no end my to talents?? 

 

Thank you Michelle, for giving me this opportunity, I am eternally grateful.  xxx 

Comments

[Geek's Girl]

Well congrats on the book deal. I for one am waiting rather impatiently to seeing it finally on the shelves so that I can tell people in the book shop that I "know" the author. Do they really need to know I only know you virtually?:-)

I swore I'd never buy another Shape magazine but if you've written a piece in it then I simply have to - so is it the January or February 2006 issue?

Anyway congrats again.

And I will so be there at your book signings.

[Saki]

For what it's worth, doll, I just wanted to say I'm so proud of you :) You have a beautiful story to tell, and a strong voice to tell it with -- your book will by flying off the shelves in no time.

Congratulations!!

[Bridgette]

I can't wait to get my copy! I will run around like a giant nerd telling everyone I know the author.

[amy]

Just as I do with your blog, I will read and digest every single word in your book. I can't wait. Please keep us updated on its progress. And congratulations!

[sissy]

We just need to make sure your publisher goes into a bigger market, we expect to buy this from amazon.com. There is a bigger market that will benefit from your story...maybe Oprah is listening 8) Ben lives in our hearts even though he wasn't ours. All infertiles can feel it and know how beautiful Ben was. You should be so proud of yourself, I'll be one of the first to buy your book. --Sissy

[Faith]

Well Good Going on the book, Tertia!

I'm so happy to hear that you completed an ENTIRE first draft!!! And how smart of you to turn it over, even in it's rough state, to make sure you are going down the right path. Keep up the good work. When you are finished, you will have made a wonderful contribution to the world of infertiles and those that have overcome infertility, moms, working moms, twin moms....And most of all, you will have something to be proud of for life.

[Menita]

Oh how wonderful, Tertia, congratulations! I can't wait for the book to come out. You think you are getting a lot out of it? That will be NOTHING compared to what people who read it will get out of your story. Well done!

[sabrina]

dear tertia, congratulations on your first draft. i predict BIG things for your book. you just wait, it will have such a following. i hope someone will tune oprah into it. i know that sounds silly, but unfortunately IF is still a dirty little secret, non-IFers are completely unaware of our underground network. i hope you can be our voice. all the best!

[Debi]

I am soooo excited about your book for you and for everyone who will have the chance to read your story. You are so very brave to put it out there. I want to thank you in advance for sharing it. Your blog helps me everyday I can't imagine the impact your book will have.

You go girl!!!

[queermommy]

i am so excited to devour your book. i know it will be wonderful.
can i send mine to you to be signed? i know you'll want your favourite lesbian to have a signed copy...unless you come on tour to canada :)

[Jessica]

Sign me up for a copy. I'm thrilled for you, Tertia. Couldn't happen to a nicer (and more fabulous) person.

[MFA Mama]

Holy shit Tertia you finished a draft ALREADY? I should be asking YOU for writing advice. I've been remiss in my blogging (both writing and reading) or I would have jumped on this sooner, but lady you are AMAZING in addition to G&D, you asshole, you. My hat is forever off to you.

[Suzie-Q.]

Tertia, I am so happy for you that you found your voice and flow. This is another milestone in your life of IF. Mazel Tov on your first draft!! I am so proud of you and proud to know you. I cannot wait to read my signed copy! Am v.v.glad to know that you will be a voice for all us infertiles. Is it okay with you if i send a copy to Oprah when it is published? I agree with Sissay 100%. You need to be marketed on Amazon.
xoxo

['wishIknew']

Another B for you ...
Bravo!
Glad the book is going so well - you sound really well too!
Continued best wishes,

'wishIknew'

[Heather]

So will your book be available in the US or just in South Africa? I would love to read it!!

[Judy]

Oh Tertia! YOu are such an inspiration! Writing is something I aspire to do one day, and it is wonderful to see you putting yourself out there and DOING it! Congrats! I can't wait to buy it! Can you email us when Amazon.com has it?

[Dasha]

Congrats, Tertia! This is amazing news. Will have to have a glass of wine in your honor tonight with dinner. How do you feel about an Argentinian malbec?

Count me as one of the many who hopes your book will be available in the U.S.

[kim]

I am definately impressed at how you managed to get that draught finished when you have so much going on in your life, you must have had hardly any sleep. You said you don't do any work on the book when the babes are awake cos that is their time - shows that you are a very caring and good spirited mum.

[Kara]

Tertia, I think this is fantastic! Congrats!

[Ninotchka]

Well done! You rock.

[Inga]

Congratulations, Tertia! I agree with all of the posts about hoping your book is also available outside of South Africa!

[Alexa]

Goodness, you astound me, a completed draft already! I am very much behind on my own writing (you are so right about wine consumption being a tremendously demanding task, some evenings it is all I have time for, unfortunately). I am very much looking forward to seeing your book in stores, where I am certain it will make you reams of money and bring delight to millions.

[Robyn]

Congrats on finisihing the draft Tertia! I hope your book will be available in the US!

[kris]

Congratulations on finishing the fisrt draft. You amaze me. I wish I had 1/10 of your energy and strength.

[projgen]

Woohoo! How the heck did you finish that rough draft so fast with so little time? You *must* have given up on *some* wine drinking, no?!

That must have been really hard, going back over your journals about Ben being born and writing about all that. I hope it helped continue the healing for you. That, and having your awesome mommy around. It's no surprise that you seem to be such an awesome mommy yourself.

[margot]

Dear Tertia

I wrote a book myself a few years ago - its a huge amount of work. Just wait until you actually receive authors copies from the publisher and are signing autographs at the launch - you will feel fabulous. One of the best days of my life.

And I love the idea that the world will know about Ben. He wasn't on this earth for long, but he will make a big impact through your book. As will your own courage and faith.

love

Margot