Elizabeth Baker's Blog

We in the South, don't do snow. A half-inch can shut down towns and schools and churches. So, imagine what the foot of snow has done to us? Part of me was glad because the new book is slightly behind and snow was a good excuse to stay at the desk without the temptation to jump in the car and go somewhere.

But, after a week of silent days of living alone in the country with nothing but a computer for company, I thought I had to get out this morning before cabin fever became an irreversible state of mind.

What a good decision! I fed the birds, followed deer tracks, and got my heart-rate up for the first time in days! I know writing is important, but I should have been braving the cold and slick whiteness every day!

I've written quite a few books. One would think I'd be accustomed to the stress by now. But every time I face a new product launch this is the point when the nail-biting starts and doubts begin to creep in. Can I really make that date? Is this chapter good enough? Perhaps I should give it one more rewrite. What happens if I am late?
The doubts are especially difficult this time because I am not only releasing a standard paperback edition but a large print edition, an ebook edition AND an audio edition all at the same time! I've never tried anything like this before and my nerves are beginning to fray a bit!
Next week, I'll start the contest for free editions to be given away on Goodreads! This is fun, but I have some serious work to do between now and April. Wish me luck!

I am always surprised at how fast deadlines march my directions. What at one time seemed far away races at me with unrelenting speed.

I recently was reviewing the manuscript, When a Man Has Let You Down, and realized the last chapter needed a rewrite. I was satisfied with everything except those last few pages. Rewrite is underway and I hope to finish next week. Also next week, I plan to have the large print version of the book formatted.

Yesterday, I received the final proof for the cover background and hope to get the text applied this evening before leaving for Tennessee first thing in the morning.

A granddaughter is getting married and her mother and I are traveling to Tennessee where a different daughter owns a bridal shop. It will be so much fun to help this lovely bride choose a dress for her big day! It will be a quick trip because I really need to get back to the desk, but I couldn't miss this opportunity. Sometimes life events are more important and the manuscript can wait!

One of the strangest (and most gratifying) things about writing books is the longevity of words in print and the strange places they may pop up. As I continue to work editing and producing books for others, I have been reconsidering some of the books I've done in the past and how they may still be of use. This work has included learning how to use the Goodreads platform. This evening, I came across a review of the last book I released through commercial press way back in 2012 (NINE YEARS AGO. YIKES!) I was surprised that a review was still available, but I guess reviews are still appropriate because the book still sells occasionally through used book stores on Amazon. Of course, I don't make any money off of those sales, but it was nice to know that my words can still bless a few lives. It made me feel good. Thanks, Milissa T!

After hanging around the field of writing for forty years, one would think I had learned almost everything there is to know about the craft, yet unexplored vistas still pop up and sometimes they present themselves like a slap-on-the-forehead.

These surprises are mostly my own fault for I have a tendency to drift in and out of the publishing field like a puppy who won't stay home. There were times I dropped out due to new technologies I didn't want to learn. On other occasions, I decided to focus on my career as a therapist. I bounced back in for a few years when I neared retirement then drifted away again after the publication of Living With Eeyore in 2007. However, it wasn't long until I realized retirement was going to need a supplemental income, so I bounced back in once again.

As I settled once more into my familiar backyard, I was surprised by the changes that had swept through in the intervening years. Some changes were minor, but a few felt more like earthquakes, while the popularity and scope of Goodreads was one of the slap-on-the-forehead variety. How had I missed this? I am an avid reader yet although the social platform had been around for fifteen years and attracted over sixteen million members, I must have been our stargazing somewhere as it grew. Here is just one more area where I'm suddenly a novice all over again and I find myself stumbling just a bit. But I firmly believe old dogs can learn new tricks—especially if they agree to stay in the yard for a while!

Oh, I almost forgot to mention, I'll be launching a new, non-fiction book on April 2, 2021. There will be giveaways before the launch, and I plan to post my progress every step of the way. Knowing I have to post about it will keep me focused and on schedule. So, come along for the journey if you like, and feel free to pass along any tidbits of wisdom you think might help. I'm all ears.