You might be wondering why I’m sharing Christmas themed pictures in March. In the months leading up to my book launch, I’m sharing some pictures of actual locations from the book and things that inspired scenes in the book over on my Facebook Author Page. Yesterday, I shared these pictures from a wedding I photographed back in 2005, a lovely Christmas themed wedding, which is the inspiration for the first wedding in the book.
I must admit, sharing pictures like these is the only thing keeping me from going crazy right now. Let me back up …
Several months ago, I thought it would be a great idea to put together a little Launch Team for the new book. I started a private Facebook group and then did nothing about it. It was a great idea in theory. But I was afraid to make that idea a reality. Because it’s hard for me to ask for help.
I’ve always been the type of person who tries to figure things out on my own. If something breaks, I will look it up online and try to fix it myself. Perfect example … my computer hard drive died several years ago. No need to take it to the Apple Store to have it fixed, I’ll just fix it myself. Yeah, I’ll just order the new hard drive, look up YouTube videos, TAKE THE COMPUTER APART, and fix it myself. What? Yes, I really did that. See the post HERE. I’m a mad woman.
But when it comes to writing a book, well, you can write the book alone, you can edit it and fix every error and add new chapters and delete some, but that only gets you so far. You have to get outside opinions and feedback to help you see things about the story that you might overlook because you’re too close to it.
For my first book, The Truth About Drew, I had three family members read it. That was it. I was still learning how all this publishing stuff worked and I was super protective of the book. My love for that book was so great, and I was afraid nobody else would like it as much as I did. I was very wrong, but we build up those kinds of fears in our minds and that can be the roadblock that keeps us from putting something wonderful out into the world.
For the new book, Goodbye, Magnolia, I knew I wanted more people to read it before I finished the final edit. So, I added some family and a couple friends to that little private Facebook group I created and put out a call for Launch Team members on social media. I didn’t want a huge group of hundreds, just a dozen or so to help me. Baby steps over here. Posting about the team was scary for me. Almost as scary as releasing a book. It’s one thing having family and friends read it, but putting it in the hands of people I’ve only met online … terrifying! I love both of my books, but this one, this is the one that made me want to pursue writing. This sweet little story of a wedding photographer was the one that made me realize that writing makes me very happy. So, this book is the one that was the hardest to let others read. Especially since it’s not in its final form yet.
So, why am I going crazy right now? I told Jake that I would not touch the book while the Launch Team is reading it. I gave them a date to read it by and I’m trying so hard to be patient, but you have no idea how much I’m itching to open up that file and start editing again.
And my fears … they were completely unfounded. My little team is so great! I’ve heard from a few of the ladies already. They are loving the book and have given me so many great thoughts and insights into the characters and the story.
Asking for help is a very good thing.