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Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Without Much Fanfare


This afternoon, I turned in my book.

I don't know what I expected. Fanfare, perhaps? Our high school band to come marching down our street, drum line beating out a rhythm and causing the neighbors to step outside wondering what was happening? At which point I would of course answer, "I just turned in my book!" And then of course, the neighbors would hoist me onto their shoulders and we would parade through the streets, while people waved and clapped and cheered?

Yeah, maybe. Maybe not quite that much. Although a teensy bit of fanfare would have felt more... symbolic or something.

Instead, I attached it and sent an email, just like lots of other emails with attachments I have sent in my life. My 11 yo son was in the room and I told him I had just submitted my book, so he slapped me a high five. And then I emailed my husband, who was out of town, to tell him that I had submitted it. And he emailed me back and said he was proud of me.

And then I was done. For now. I know there will be edits and marketing stuff ahead, but the actual work of finishing it up-- of looking it over and deciding there was nothing else I was going to do with it. That is done.

And it feels good. But just not as huge and monumental as I thought it would. And so, I figured I would share about it here, just to mark it in some small way:

I did it!! I finished my book!! (I'll just let you imagine the marching band and parade.)
Pin It!

31 comments:

Kelley said...

CONGRATULATIONS Marybeth! What an awesome accomplishment, if I were there I would give you a standing ovation! I can't wait to see the final copy but in the meantime I am saving up to buy a copy of your last book. I have heard it is awesome!!

Speaking of books, have you read "The Shack"? I read it a few weeks ago and if you have read it I would love to hear your opinion. I really enjoyed it!

Take care and enjoy your weekend!

Renata said...

Congratulations!!! This is huge & I agree a marching band would be warranted! Can't wait til it comes out - will have to purchase a copy!
Renata :)

Sharon Sloan said...

"A longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul." Proverbs 13:19

Enjoy this sweetness! :) We are all doing a happy dance for you!

We are leaving for vacation tomorrow, and one of the books I am bringing is "The Write Reason". I recommended the book to a few She Speaks attendees, too! I am really gleening from it!

Sharon

Sonya Lee Thompson said...

Marybeth,

Job well done! It is a bit strange that there is no instant gratification in this book writing process. But the key is that you are going to bless many people, I'm sure, with your words. :)

Storing up treasures in heaven!

I appreciate your honesty today, it will help me when I find myself at this point one day.

I have read "for the write reason" and LOVED it! It has been like honey to my insecure soul as I've started down the writers path. The perfect prelude to the She Speaks conf.

If any of you readers haven't read it, then get out there and buy yourselves a copy, you will be blessed!

Bonita said...

Whistling! Clapping! Cheering! Jumping up and down! Throwing confetti! Trombone, tuba, and trumpet blaring! Much fanfare!

I know this dream has been a long time in coming and I couldn't be happier for you! Think of all those people who will read your book and cheer and clap and fall on their faces before God in gratitude because He sent them some help when they needed it most! And think of the fanfare that will happen on the day you stand before the Lord and He says, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant!"

So very, very proud of you!

Amy Wyatt said...

Congrats! I'm striking up the band over here for you!
That is so exciting.

Anonymous said...

Hmmm...I think I DO hear that marching band!! LOL Congratulations! I'm so excited for you! And please imagine a real pronounced southern drawl here...."Ya done good!" LOL
You go, Girl! I'm proud of you!
Clapping and foot stomping down here in south GA...
Hugs,
Amy

Laurie Ann said...

Brava! Very good! I'm so happy for you!!!! I've been following your blog, not commenting very often, but I do read...This is awesome! The marching band is headed your way, I'm sure! The call got put in late and there were uniform issues, you know...

Kelly said...

Congratulations, Marybeth! I am so excited for you, and I can't wait to buy your book!! I know it is going to be life-changing for lots of people, that's my prayer!
Hugs,
Kelly

lifelaughterchaos said...

congrats!!! congrats!!!

Anonymous said...

Wow, that amazing! Congrats!

I'm in the process of writing my first ebook, so I can now say that I understand a teensy bit of what it must be like to write a whole. entire. book. I had no idea!

Debra said...

Congratulations!! I am so happy for you! Bravo and Cheers!
You know I am a fan of your writing :)
Thanks for sharing.
Hugs
Debra

ThreeGirlyGirls said...

Congratulations! I'm so excited for you with this big step!! Can't wait to read it!! =)

JenB said...

Woo Hoo! Good for you! I'm trying to think of a cool way to imitate a marching band, but I just can't. But YAY for you!

Jen - Balancing Beauty and Bedlam said...

Well, no high school marching band over here, but would cats, dogs, goats, chickens, kids and me cheering through my amazingly strong coffee breath be OK? Yipee...YEA...(oops, cough, sputter, swallowing coffee first would help...hee hee). We are all thrilled for you!
blessings on the journey,
Jenmifer Schmidt in NC

Renee Swope said...

Congratulations!!!!! I am thinking about that desperate woman walking through Wal-Mart Super store looking at groceries, trying to figure out how she is going to afford to feed her family this week. She spots your book and although she knows she could buy food with the $12 it will cost, she realizes after reading the back cover and table of contents, that this book is what she needs more than anything.

Months later after she reads it and finds hope in her hopelessness and healing in her marriage, she hires a band to march down your street to serenade you and celebrate all that you have done to help her!!!

The angels in Heaven are singing and celebrating this day. And God is whispering "Well done good and faithful servant...well done!"

Marla Taviano said...

Congratulations, friend!!

I feel ya. There have been a handful of book moments for me that definitely called for fanfare and no one was offering any.

But it all works out in the end. :)

Can't wait to read your book!! (Is it the mom one Bill was telling me about?)

Smileyface said...

if i could be there i so would have had my husband bring his band and march down your street ;)
congrats...can't wait to read it!

Stephanie Wilson she/her @babysteph said...

This is WONDERFUL! I am so excited for you!

Steph

Celly B said...

Kudos to you on turning in your book! What an accomplishment!

Anonymous said...

WOO HOO! double WOO HOO!

i am proud of you! i can't wait to read it! you continue to be an example to me of a woman who pursues her passions and dreams while serving her family....

I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!


jess

Unknown said...

Congratulations!

I can only dream about the day I actually finish mine!!

And you just can't hear the fanfare. But the the angels in heaven are kickin' up quite a ruckus! "She did it! She did it!"

Dawn :) said...

Just stopped over to check on you after talking to Melissa B. last night and saw your great news. WOW!! Kudos to you and all that you have accomplished my friend!!
((Hugs from the East))

bp said...

Congratulations to you!

Jenni said...

I'm freakin' proud of you, Marybeth!! Imagine me blatting away on a trumpet right now for you, even though I don't actually know how to play the trumpet. I'm playing it good and LOUD, though!

Carol said...

WAAAAAHHOOOOOO! You can't see me, but I'm doing the MC Hammer and singing "You Can't Touch Beth". Next I may launch into "Pray". It's hammer time!

Amy Jo said...

Congratulations, MaryBeth! Sending cheers from the Pacific NW. Love what Renee wrote, couldn't say it much better than that. Way to go!!! (And congrats on your new home...hope the packing goes quickly and smoothly). Blessings & JOY!

Dawn said...

Marybeth, I'm just honored to think that I am somewhere in that book. I pray everything goes smoothly, without a hitch, and I'm holding my own copy in my hands before we know it!

Unknown said...

I have enjoy your talks from hearts at home. I can't wait to read your book. You go Sister-girlfriend.
Katrina of AZ

Meredith said...

Wow! A big round of applause from Nashville, TN : )

Anonymous said...

That is awesome! You should be so proud of yourself. What an accomplishment! I can not wait to buy one with my credit card..hee hee JUST KIDDING!