The fourth proof arrived this afternoon and it's perfect! Finally! Quest: A Guide to Backpacking With Teens will go live online at Amazon.com tomorrow night!
From November 2008 to November 2017, I wrote and deleted hundreds of thousands of words, interviewed a couple hundred people, and researched numerous subjects. I've written, rewritten, revised, rearranged, reorganized, reviewed and revealed. I made thousands of lists, recorded daily word counts, ruthlessly edited content and recurring words, proofread a zillion times. My writers group has critiqued, analyzed, advised, counseled, comforted, encouraged and praised. I've counted words, commas, of, the, that, then, with.
When I thought I had finished in January 2016, the text was 136,000 words. Research said it had to be 100,000. So, I went back to the computer and cut 26,000 words.
I went through ten thousand backpacking photographs multiple times. I culled, edited, chose and arranged. I wish the photos could have been in color, but i just couldn't justify the added cost for the book. The photo quality is lacking, too. But, I had to reconcile to that and recognize that it's the stories that matter most.
Tomorrow night, I should see my book listed on Amazon. There's lots more to do now to prepare for the launch party, promote the book and program and recover.
I'm feeling very excited, satisfied, proud, exhilarated , grateful and tired. More tomorrow.
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