Hey, remember how I told you I finished a book proposal? And then remember how I didn’t tell you anything else about it? Yes, well that would be because I don’t like talking about things that are in process. I like to talk about things after the fact, with the benefit of perspective and time and maybe even closure. It’s the same reason why I haven’t told you much about the girls going to Kindergarten yet. I’m still processing, and I don’t like to process in front of people. (Can anyone say controlling?) So this book thing? Well, I am right smack dab in the middle of it.
Just to be clear, I do not have a book deal. And I have not written an entire book. I have finished a book proposal, which is basically a collection of facts, figures, passion and three sample chapters of the actual book I plan to write. It is like a 56-page-long marriage proposal, one that begs an answer to the question: Will you publish me? A publisher has yet to answer that question. There has been some interest, which is infinitely encouraging, as there is a secret part of me that wondered if I would be laughed at.
But telling you the details is like taking the risk all over again. So every time I sit with the intention of telling you more about the book idea itself, I end up on Facebook or reading Amber or trying to find Chuck Season 2 on Amazon or looking at my house on Google Earth.
The energy meant to form words and thoughts are hidden down deep and come out in crazy ways instead, like in hot tears or short, snappy parenting or manic coupon cutting. And the words remain a swirling soup, flickering like a film-strip but not allowed to take hold.
I break my own rules about focus and passion.
I can’t tell you how many times over the past few months I have wished my passion was cooking. Oh, to want to write about cooking! What joy! Or house-y stuff. Everyone loves a good house blog, right? Colors and fabric and beautiful homes. Or crafts. Or sewing. Or scrapbooking. Or makeup. Those things don’t tend to be so…personal.
So I am taking steps this week to share with you more about this book idea. I’m excited about it, and I don’t want to do this alone.
Yay for this. Yay for you. Yay for your book that will SHOCK me if it doesn’t get published. Yay for your sharing. And now I’m going to hit up some Google Earth.
how exciting! you are busy! No worries about the photo session. Maybe sometime in the future we can make it happen!I want it to be in the summer, so we look tan and not deathly! Take care and look forward to hearing more about your book!
Thanks for your courage and vulnerability! Blessings, Shilo
What is the topic of your book? 58 pages is a pretty long proposal for a publisher to read — unless nearly all of that is sample chapters. Are you going straight to publishers or planning to let an agent run with your proposal? Just curious. And may be able to provide some advice. (Is this your first book?)
E, I woke up with you and this book on my mind…hmm
I wanted to hear how it is coming & how you feel about it…feel free to let me or all of us know when you want to. Privacy is precious, and you are free to guard yours, popular blog or not…
It is extremely personal to share your words with others. Being vulnerable isn’t always the easiest thing, but in my experience, it’s worth the risk! Best wishes for your book!
You’re absolutely not alone! We’re all around you, cheering you on!!! And, personally, I like all the house-y, cooking kind of blogs a little bit but it’s the ones that speak to my soul that I enjoy the most. Oh, and the ones that make me laugh. Which brings me to another point, Thank you! Thank you for introducing us to Bye Bye Pie! My life is so much richer because of June’s blog. And yours. Now get back to writing! I’ll be praying a publisher realizes your incredible way with words.
You girls are so great. Elizabeth, I hear you! About 18 pages is actual proposal and the rest is chapter-by-chapter synopsis and sample chapters. Hmm…I think I’ll email you now!
This is *so* exciting, and it’s such a blessing to have you share your experiences with the class. Praying for you!
You are not alone, whether you share every detail or none.
be brave! be courageous! looking forward to hearing more!
spoken like my 2 year old, “you not ‘lone. God-ii-wit-you.” however, usually this is spoken to his older sister who is afraid of the very G rated animated movie they are watching.
i went to Chick-Fil-A this morning again with Ash, and realized it had been a week since we were sitting there together. A week? It feels more like a year!! Missed you and “baby”luke, though. maybe we should make it a tradition. hahaha…you know how i am about traditions.
ok, i know you think I’M writing a book proposal with how long this comment is…see you soon, friend. heart you.
I am so excited for you. I understand your feelings of vulnerability and wanting to keep this close to you. I don’t care if you don’t share another detail until you tell us it’s hit the shelves. Best of luck to you. It’ll be fabulous because you are.
Just leaving a smile, from someone who processes in the open – except the really big things that offer no words…
Yikes! This is exciting! AS someone who is battling fears and trying to overcome, I am so proud of you(don’t worry- I won’t be all stalkerish on you or anything!). I made a plan 2 weeks ago to try something once a month that SCARES me.
My first- submitting an essay to a magazine. 
It’s due in 6 days. YIKES! Anyway, this is so cool- the fact that you put yourself out there. Yay for you!!!!
That’s right Emily!! You don’t want to do this alone. How else can we know how to encourage you and pray for you?! Love you my friend!
I can totally relate to what you said here. Thanks for sharing and helping me to know I am not alone either!
“The energy meant to form words and thoughts are hidden down deep and come out in crazy ways instead, like in hot tears or short, snappy parenting or manic coupon cutting. And the words remain a swirling soup, flickering like a film-strip but not allowed to take hold.”
I support you all the way. You can do it! Just your blog posts are such beautiful writing, a publisher would be crazy to not snap up your proposal.
The process is sometimes the most challenging part of it all. As if I know or something, but I’m talking about the process of anything, not just book deals. You are a wonderful, fabulous, articulate writer and your gift of writing will come through with every word that is written in this upcoming book. You share as much or as little as your heart desires. You are not indebted to anyone to give a single solitary detail, but if you want to share snippets of it, we’re here to happily listen!
Oh happy day! Good luck! Fingers crossed, well really because I LOVE to read your blod. You know some blogs I only look at the pictures, but girl you have a gift! I also feel His spirit in your writting! For this I keep coming back. Soooo prayers your way, thanks for sharing, and seriously fingers crossed!
Whether you share or not is up to you. We will eventually read your words — be it in your blog or publisher bound. These are exciting times!!!! Can’t wait to search for your name in Amazon. (Did I mention I just signed up for Prime membership?
I am looking forward to what you will share with us about this.
i can see that you needed to put on your “big girl” shoes for this. i think you are brave and wonderful and that your honesty is beautiful… especially to a girl who knows what it is like to be timid and afraid of what others will think… or say. keep on letting your courage shine through… we are all along for the ride
You already know that the topic of your book will touch lives…it’s made me cry and I’ve only seen one chapter.
This is what I have found. The words pour out of me best when I ponder on them awhile. They are in you, I know it. Putting pen to paper is hard when you have two girls starting kindergarten and one toddler at home. I had a whole summer to myself.
I’ve exposed very little about my book on my blog. I’m not very brave about it either. What if people don’t like it? It’s a scary place to live…and I’m going to try to be better. WE can do it.
can’t wait to hear what you have to say.
I can’t wait to hear more about this. We’re cheering you on!
Emily, this is so exciting! I can’t wait to hear more about it, and I’m praying for you and the publishers through this process.
I know the feeling of wishing my passion was cooking…or frugalness…or decorating. I enjoy all of them, but there is not enough passion there to write a blog.
I think I finally found my blogging passion – vlogging. Which makes it not blogging…sigh..anyways. I’m enjoying having a niche site instead of a life site!
I can’t even begin to imagine the process you’re going through – I wish you all the best of luck, and can’t wait to hear more about it
Thanks for sharing it! Now we can pray for you better
I do believe that you are growing!!!!!
I’m sure I speak for many when I say I can’t wait to hear more. As for losing focus and procrastinating the stuff that takes emotional energy, I am so there. “Manic coupon cutting…” oh, I have been manic alright. And snappy. Funny how manic and avoidance are bedfellows like that, at least for me.
Keep up the processing.
There’s no way for me to tell you how giddy I am that you even know who I am.
ALSO, Can I tell you what? I get you. Sometimes I feel like writing the heart-goo is like one of those dreams where you rode all the way to school on the bus and forgot to put on any clothes at all, and the whole time, there’s nothing you can do about it.
I wish I were a ballerina. I wish I were a technical writer about plate tectonics, but alas, we (and so many bloggers who visit you) deal in heart, the down-deep pushed right up there to the surface with our grocery lists.
I wish I could write a book. (I will not compare myself to others … I will not compare myself to others) You write a great blog and if God has laid a book on your heart, He will help you write it. I can’t wait to hear the details.
The other day I dreamed you came to visit me and you left your camera at my house. LOL – BUT! I tried to find you and get it back to you. Dreams are funny.
I enjoyed reading several of your posts tonight. I smiled so much and thoroughly enjoyed myself. You have a gift from the Lord that is refreshing. Honestly. I hope you are able to just release the fear of failure and just trust Him. I’m going through the same thing…with art…I want desperately to live full time on just being an artist. I am sometimes afraid it won’t work out. But I have to let go too and just allow God to work…(so He gets the glory, not me). Thanks for sharing. I really LOVE your blog and will be following you for sure!
I’m excited to hear about this book. I just found your blog through inCourage. I don’t have a blog yet because I don’t know what to blog about. But I love the way you write. You write the way I think. Keep writing. That’s all.
I’ve written three book proposals and the books to go with them over the past three years. I’m currently writing my fourth book. I have a completely different approach to the process. I don’t farm my ideas out to publishers before writing; I simply write the entire book because I like the process. I know it goes against everything “they” tell us, but I’m not one for a lot of hoops and game playing. I simply write because God has put it in my heart to do so. I’ve not landed a book deal yet, but I am confident of my words mattering; whether to a large audience or to a small one, the gifting to pen my heart is one I take seriously; I cannot put strings on where God might take my words. The only string attached is the one that leads me to the obedience of penning them. At the end of the day, I am a better person for the surrender. I know God more now, then I ever would have should I have neglected the words within.
peace to you as you continue the journey of God’s grace and the words therein~elaine
I’ve had the honor of hearing about this proposal in person and it is GOOD. Someone is going to snatch it up soon! And I will be buying the very first copy of your book (and finding a way to see you again so you can sign it!). Praying for you in the process…
I for one am quite glad that you don’t have a decorating blog, or a scrapbooking blog, or a make-up blog. Other bloggers do those things very well and I enjoy reading their blogs. But I also love reading your blog, especially because it is personal, and about things of the heart and faith, that matter. Because it is different. And it has beautiful photography. Thanks for being the blogger He created you to be, even though it isn’t always comfortable!