The writing bug

Angela is going to Austin tomorrow for our nephew Gavin's first birthday party, so I'll be spending the weekend alone. Poor Jenny. Actually, I'll be spending quite a bit of time working, so the time probably pass before the lonliness even has a chance to settle in.

I finished writing a book about sexuality and spirituality about a year and a half ago and my agent has been shopping it around to publishers since then, but hasn't been able to find a home for it. Par for the publishing course I suppose. We thought we had a publisher once because they were uber excited about the project after we queried them and sent an official proposal, but they eventually decided to pass because the book was written chronologically. My oh my that was disappointing. It's my life story with some other commentary about faith and sexuality matters, told from childhood to present. I guess I should have used flashbacks or something. Anyway, we've decided to move into the self-publishing process now, so I'll be working on that this weekend. I've found an editor and proofreader, and I may have a graphic artist to design the cover. Then we move into the book layout and printing. Then I will have to bust my butt to do the PR and marketing. But I'm thrilled that the process is finally in motion. I'm working on a second book too, which I've already decided is much better than the first. I just can't shut off the urge to write. So no matter how painful this publishing process turns out to be, I've already committed to doing it again and again. Insane perhaps. Or very very driven.

So in Angela's absense this weekend I plan to write, write, write. In addition to the book projects, I really need to work on an article that I'm writing for a local paper. I might even be able to finish it. For now, all I can say is that the footwork I did yesterday got me inside the mind of Tom Cruise, Kirstie Alley, and John Travolta. Fascinating stuff. More on that to come.