Coffee in the New York skyline mug, "Losing My Religion" by R.E.M. on iTunes. I am losing any vestiges of objectivity I might have had. In this one shining moment of clarity I truly believe they are not out to get me; I am just paranoid. I don't even have any excuse or reason for feeling like this. The answer is probably lithium, but I'm not going to go there.
So far in the past 12 hours I have had little breakdowns about the edits by the senior editor to the book, the title given to book (without even running it by me), the portraits of me I had taken by a photographer for the book jacket, and my booth placement at the ACRE show. The copy editor had to hold my hand and pass Kleenex through the phone (metaphorically, of course) to get me through my upset over the edits; she and my husband both reassured me that the title is perfect (The Beginner's Guide to Kiln-formed Glass); I think I look like Ann Richards in two of the portraits--it's the neck darling--and fat in the rest, Dave thinks they are all beautiful; and I was sure the ACRE people had moved me yet further down my row since the BMAC and Jeff was no longer next to me, and it turns out we are exactly where we were.
Now at halfway through the first cup of coffee, lucidity and clarity no longer optional for the day, I take a deep breath and prepare to read the rest of the book with an OPEN MIND. Not so open that everything inside leaks out, but an open mind and some semblance of balance will go a long way to keeping me out of a straight jacket today. My greatest regret is that my husband was in an incredibly relaxed, happy mood this morning and my little neuroses just shredded it.
Breathe. (Make a little) "Birdhouse In Your Soul" by They Might Be Giants is on iTunes as I close his post. I choose to take it as an omen.
7 comments:
I would have thought that they'd call your book "A Beginner's Guide to the Restaurants of Atlanta, Georgia".
Or maybe, "A Beginner's Guide to How to Begin".
Otherwise, the title sounds reasonable to me...
They could've called it "Kiln-Formed Glass for Dummies" ... just think what your jacket portrait would've been then!
Empathizing in Wisconsin
It was the prominence of the word "Beginner's" that bothered me. I see the book as appropriate for people at every level and "Beginner's", to me, implies that it is JUST for beginner's. If you already know how to kiln form glass, skip it. I seem to be alone in this understanding do I let it lie. Lay. Whatever.
Being a "how-to" book aficianado myself, I would take a look at a "beginner's" book even if I thought I was an expert ... just to see what somebody else had to say and for new ideas. I don't think the title is a hindrance in that respect. But the real up-side to the title is that it leaves the path wide open for at least 2 sequels ... "intermediate" and "advanced". That is, of course, if you're up to 2 more stress sequels too. :)
Sandy
"...it leaves the path wide open for at least 2 sequels ... "intermediate" and "advanced"..."
BITE YOUR TONGUE, WOMAN! Did I mention lithium?
I knew that would get your attention. tee hee
Where can I get my signed copy?? I am only a beginner and I will always be a beginner until the day someone calls me an expert. Then I will start all over again. Most people realize that everyone is a beginner in something and nobody knows everything.
GO WITH THE FLOW!!!!!!! You are an author. As soon as the book comes out call Helen Degenees and send her a copy of it and a piece of glass and get National TV coverage and make "big money". Also send to Oprah. Get all you can out of the publicity and make yourself a millionaire.
MONYMAN
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