They came on Friday, a 145-page PDF file of the proofs of my book, The White Road and Other Stories! As I was printing it out, I nearly cried. Just looking at the title page, and that wonderful page that asserts my rights and has the ISBN number... Very emotional. I have an ISBN number, I join the ranks of thousands, millions, of writers, I join them on shelves, I join them in bookshops, I join them on Amazon. I join them.
I was expecting that it would be hard for me to re-read all my stories and that it would be more of a searching for typos etc..., but what I found, to my surprise, was that I fell in love with all my stories all over again. I read the whole thing through twice, pen in hand, and every time I laughed at the same spots, was moved at the same points, was delighted to be reunited with all these characters again and again. It brought home to me how much I write for myself, and how amazing it is that someone else ever enjoys them, something that it is in some ways so deeply personal to me.
The book won't be in the shops until October, but I should have a copy in my hands before then and I am sure it will unleash a whole new set of emotions. Watch this space!
9 comments:
Wonderful, Tania, I love your unabashed relish for the project. Can't wait to read this collection!
That's such marvellous news! Well done - I'm so looking forward to getting a copy in October. Why so long???!!?? Ah well, I'll just have to wait, sigh ...
And I do know what you mean about falling in love with the book all over again at the proof stage - it happens to me too. It's that wonderful feeling of: bloody hell, this is actually good!! Always such a relief to feel that.
:))
A
xxx
I'm glad it was positive, T!! How lovely to have the reaction you did.
I have to admit, I didn't. I kept thinking 'I ought to make this one better', 'this ought not to be here'... loads of doubt.
Story of my life. Still, it keeps me seeking to improve what I do I guess... aaagh.
Bloody marvellous, Tania! Congratulations. It's some moment, isn't it!
Nik
Congratulations Tanya! I look forward to reading.
Sarah
Terrific, Tania! I'm so happy for you. To be honest, when I first saw the advanced reading copies of my novel, I was surprised to see I felt nothing. Maybe just exhaustion. But when the hard covers actually arrived, I yelled yippee! out loud. Really. I did. It's an amazing feeling, isn't it? Huge congrats!! And looking forward to buying my copy in October!
Sarah - thanks, it hasn't always been unabashed relish so I am relishing the fact that now it is! I was getting quite anxious, still couldn't quite believe it until the proofs came, so it is a lot of relief.
Anne - so glad you also had that experience of falling in love with it again. I was really worried i wouldn't like it at all. October isn't that far off, I think you might be able to get it straight from Salt before then, just wont be in the shops yet.
V - I did want to make a few radical changes but I just told myself that I wasn't allowed and that was that! All in all, I was happy.
Nik - it is such a wonderful moment, isn't it? Does it happen again with the 2nd book (fingers crossed, touch wood etc.. etc..)? To me, who doesn't have kids, it truly feels like a birth.
Sarah - thanks so much for stopping by!
Sue, I imagine each author feels differently, depending on the run-up to it. Maybe it's different with a novel that you have been immersed in for so long - and yes, exhaustion plays a part, I am sure. Lovely to hear you yelled, I may allow myself to do that when I get the actual, real, physical thing! I can't wait to read your book.
Big congrats Tania. It's a real grin-making experience! Enjoy!
WRW
bravo tania!!!! what a well-deserved thrill for one of the most gifted writers i know. i cannot wait to get that book in my hands.
xo, dina
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