A Day To Read, A Lifetime to Write

The Journey of Help My Best Friend Just Got Married, Can We Still Be Friends?

Especially after reading Nothing Special…Just Friends?, the cousin of Help!... readers consistently approach me with questions like, when is the next book coming out?  I’ve decided to answer the question—before it is asked—why did it take you so long? 

Don’t get me wrong, in the immortal words of Cousin Malcolm (Jumping The Broom) I write ‘ere day but there has been a considerable amount of time between published novels from me.  I admit that I too have been disappointed with my timing.  While I offer no excuses, I do say what may take you a day to read rarely takes a day to write.  Add the facts that every part of the process is reliant upon the artist, thus the independent label, factor in other life roles, wife, auntie, sister, friend among others and a full time sky girl to pop your coke.

I know you get it, we’re all busy and I am grateful that you choose to spend your leisure time and dollars with me.  However to answer your question, the average reader reads about 90,000 words in three to seven days.  The avid reader reads that same word count anywhere from eight to 20 consecutive hours and five for the power reader—my mother.  You’ve got to know that the process of writing takes much longer.  I’ve been told by some authors, that writing every day for an average of five hours a day garners a 90,000 word count in anywhere from a month to six weeks for a first draft.   A complete first draft takes me sixty to ninety days.  Second, third, fourth and fifth drafts can take an additional 90 days.  Because I produce my own work, the writing is done, but the process just begins.  After writing, the work goes to editing, back to writer (me) for corrections and enhancements, either back to editor or to production.  It is then the publisher (me) is working on distribution, cover, legalities, publicity and bumps in the road.  Many times, the publisher (me) and the artist (me) are at war about content, count and a number of creative differences that have to be crunched into numbers.  So yes, I do a lot of talking to myself, arguing with myself and reaching a compromise with myself in order to get the work to the public (you). 

So the next time you ask, why did it take so long, recall the quick and dirty and cut me some slack.  I promise it is worth the wait…..  Help My Best Friend Just Got Married, Can We Still Be Friends?

9 and counting…..

From The Bottom Up,

Toni

From Book To Thought and Back To Book

In 2006 I published my second novel through then Epiphany Publishing House, LLC now Epiphany Books.  For me, it started out as a conversation about a real life hot topic, platonic friendships.  As I explored the possibilities and probabilities of the subject, I found that opinions were strong and as diverse as the stars in our galaxy.  As recorded in Nothing Special…Just Friends?, I would bring the subject up at every event, party or gathering I attended.  Finally those divergent opinions helped me to complete my award winning novel.

After the book release, the book signings and cross country promotions, the conversation continued.  It continued between me and family, friends and strangers, often me using Nothing Special…Just Friends? as the framework.  While discussing the premise of the book during my travels—I often had to convince readers the book was worth their time and ten bucks—people would share their own personal stories of maneuvering platonic friendships.  Some yielded successful relationships on two sides of the three sided coin, others not so much.  However the talks were always interesting, engaging and sometimes eye-widening. 

My mind is like a steel trap.  I have a knack for recalling factoids, stories and situations.  I might not remember your name but share pieces of a story and I’ll at least recall you through that story. 

So fast forward three years, and I’m on the phone with my cousin Ametra.  What are we talking about?  The Book and the over-all nature of platonic friendships.  She shares some of her past experiences, I share mine and a usual three hour conversation ensues.  However, our talks are rarely just talks; a conclusion and/or solution has to come up somewhere.  As conclusions and woulda, shoulda, couldas surfaced, those vignettes from three years ago also re-surface.  

Ametra and I got off of the phone.  I learned a long time ago, rarely does one say anything to writer that isn’t seen again.  Three days later I had the first draft of Help! My Best Friend Just Got Married, Can We Still Be Friends? completed.  For the next ten days, you’ll get an inside look of how and why this book came into fruition.  You’ll get sneak peak views before the 8/25/12 release date and get a backstage view of some of my ups and downs.  You will also be the first to view the cover and win some great prizes along the way.  So, the journey begins….Thanks for taking it with me! The Countdown begins today.....10

From The Bottom Up,

Toni