Honor in making mistakes

Making Mistakes

I have started working on the book which at this point is more like sitting on a dock and wondering where I\’m going to row my leaky boat but at least I am near the water. Here is what I know at this point.

I am strictly going to do this book as economically as possible or to be honest as cheaply as possible. This means \”as much\” as possible I am going to do everything myself as I am still digging out of debt from all my previous adventures (i.e. mistakes).

Cover: Yep – doing that
Editing: Hmmmm. It\’s not going to be great if I rely on myself but will have to see about that down the road.
Book Layout: Definitely me – luckily though I will be using the last book I did (101 Inspirational Stories of Prayer) as a template. That one was professionally done by Dale Duncan in Spokane but I\’m hoping I can work with it in InDesign to do this one myself. I did do the book for the parish in Albany – so pretty confident here.
Back cover copy: Yep, another DIY project. A positive point is that I have several years as a copywriter plus continuing to study copywriting with Scott Martin – so think I can handle this.
Marketing: This is my favorite part of doing books – so this is my have fun job. Of course lately I have a very poor record of marketing anything buy hey that\’s what that quote above is all about!
Social Media: I\’m pretty much going to work with Pinterest as my main thrust with a sprinkle of Facebook and Twitter.

12 Chapter Themes for book

I decided it will help give the book some focus if I have twelve themes (to start with) in getting the book going. These are sort of jump start ideas that I brainstormed this morning. If anyone would like to contribute a story these might be good imagination starters but I would love you to share anything \”encouraging\” even if they don\’t fit in one of these boxes.

Also with this book I am going to be contributing my own stories tucked in between I hope other stories that are submitted. To test whether I actually could come up with any story gems I brainstormed yesterday and came up with some possibles. I want to share them with you to maybe spark a thought or two of something you could contribute.

LIST OF MY ENCOURAGING STORIES

I don\’t know if I will use any of these ideas but it got me thinking. Seriously the stories do not have to be super, duper, over the top amazing to provide encouragement. Sometimes something as small as getting a card in the mail or a smile from a stranger when taking a walk can be encouraging.

1. Praying in car and seeing a very depressed lady get out of her car and go into the store. I had never seen a face that looked so troubled. I started praying that something would cheer her up and I was so uplifted when she got back to her car and her little dog jumped up from the seat to greet her at the window as she put the key in the lock. And seeing her dog she broke into the biggest smile which totally transformed her. I felt that my prayers and this puppy were in in cahoots to cheer her up.

2. Asking to go to Guest House (Addiction Rehab for Religious) and getting a big hug from Sr. Rita Louise to say yes I could go.

3. A big piece of chocolate cake from Sr. Jean when I was discouraged about staying in the monastery and she offered it without advice or comment.

4. Calling my friend Barb and having a conversation about fun things. Some people are just encouraging to share with no matter what the topic or occasion might be. Sometimes we share grumpy stores and in a sort of odd way that is encouraging too!

5. My husband Jon telling me every day that he loves me and often telling me, “I am a lucky man,” to have me in his life. Of course he does lots of other wonderful and encouraging things which is why I am super lucky to have him!

6. Having a wonderful family who will listen, support and share with me.

7. Friends who read and sometimes share encouraging words on the blog. Of course if you are reading this – THIS IS YOU!

8. Reading Next Door stories of people who help others in big and small ways. Lost pets, economic needs, advice, etc.

9. Finding the wallet of money from a bicyclist that I had dropped on the way to the store when I was a third or fourth grader. I was so scared about losing that money!

10. Befriending a young girl on the plane who was traveling alone to Iceland. This was a military plane and there didn\’t seem to be anyone caring how she made out. Of course being military I don\’t think anything would have happened regardless . . . but still. And hey, now that I think about it maybe they deliberately put me (the only military woman on board) next to the girl. Hey – someone was watching.

11. Befriending a young girl about eight or nine who was travelling alone on a Greyhound bus. Truly I was with this small girl for a long distance across several states. I couldn\’t believe she was traveling alone on the bus.

The Countdown is on!

So I started yesterday on the book and I figure I now have 134 days to collect stories, edit them, do layout and publish! The game is on!

Please add \”your\” three gratitude moments in the comments. It\’s a great way to pick up your day and it\’s fun for the rest of us to read!

1. Excited about working on this new book.
2. Jon\’s cooking shrimp for dinner. Yippee!
3. For the first time ever I have been making crisps with rhubarb. I think I didn\’t let it get ripe enough but good anyway.

Some puppy puzzles. I actually did a 300 piece puzzle the other day and it was doable – so I am including some of those today. You can always change the number of puzzle piece to play every puzzle so it will fit any time or inclination you might have.

108

300

300

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