February 28, 2007 1:01 PM
Beginning work on a new book
I woke up this morning at 5:00 am, when I had to turn on the light and start scribbling notes for my next book, which has been hanging out in the back of my mind for four months or so.
First, let me explain something - writers get hooked into this mentality where we have to be producing all the time. So when you finish one manuscript and it's in production process - which can take 9 months or so (and isn't that interesting?) - you feel like you need to get to work on your next project, which means coming up with an idea and writing a proposal and sending it out to editors and hoping for a contract. Sometimes you even have projects lined up so that when you finish one book you already are in contract for the next, so you just keep working.
This time, when I finished the Mommy, Teach Me! books last September, I did not have another contract. Though my first love has become blogging, I did feel that I needed to get something else in the works. I had a concept and a really terrific title (which I'm going to keep to myself for a while), but was having a hard time coming up with chapter titles and outlines, not to mention the first couple chapters which publishing committees usually want to see before they'll commit.
(I have been fortunate to have contracted books on two page write-ups before: I like it because it's easier to motivate yourself to work on writing a book when you have a contract and advance money. On the other hand, the proposal-writing process does help you clarify and focus what you're planning to do.)
Anyway, every time I've sat down to go to work on the next book, I've felt completely unmotivated and rudderless. A trip to Borders with Sophia and Maddy a few months ago just filled me with loathing for the idea of ever writing a book again: Does the world really need another book by Barbara Curtis? Somehow, I didn't think so.
And I love blogging. There are some readers out there with whom I've grown to share a special relationship - and I hope this doesn't sound presumptuous - kind of like spiritual daughters. Some of you have shared with me big changes you've gone through since you first stumbled upon MommyLife and how God has used specific entries here to nudge you somewhere he already planned for you to go. I am so grateful to be even a small part of anyone's journey as a mother. My goal is to "encourage, equip, and empower" you to find the joy God intended for you as you fulfill your calling to raise the next generation - our greatest resource.
So a couple weeks ago, I set aside all my attempts to work on the next title - all the pressure to prepare a proposal to take to Mount Hermon - and just planned to Keep on Blogging.
Yesterday I went to a ceremony at Harmony Intermediate School to see Maddy receive an award for Most Improved in Language and Jonny receive The Optimist Award (he was so cute - you would have thought he'd received an Oscar!) and was on my way home listening to Laura Ingraham when she mentioned a recent study which showed that today's college students are more narcissistic and self-centered than ever.
This hit me like a bolt of lightning, because it was so connected to the theme behind the book I'd planned and set aside. Thinking I would blog about it, I made a note to check out the source when I got home.
But I didn't need to. First up in my Inbox was an email from Sandy, a family friend and teacher in Georgia who's commented here before on the self-centeredness of students (and parents) she sees daily in the school – with the link I needed.
Study: vanity on the rise among college students
and this comment:
As a teacher this is exactly the concern that I have about our children. Low Self Esteem may be a problem, I don't debate that, but overly inflated self esteem is worse. Our nation is not going to be better for it.
I printed it out, but to tell you the truth had little time to read it as I was intent on emptying my Inbox last night (I succeeded!).
When I teach writing students, I always say that 90% of the writing process goes on away from the keyboard. Seriously. I know there are times when you can “make” yourself write something that you have to or need to - but where your writing is inspired, it represents the culmination of a process that’s been going on in your heart and mind for a while.
So I was surprised – but then again not so surprised – to be woken up this morning by an avalanche of thoughts which I captured as fast as I could (note to writers: ALWAYS keep paper and pen by your bed or in the car or in your purse). It was a familiar process, as though I was focusing a camera lens and suddenly out of a gray blur everything jumped into focus.
So this is where I’ll be for the next few days – at the keyboard working on the book that seemed to be destined to be only a great title in Barbara’s mind.
I will probably have a few snippets to post – and may re-run some Goldie-Oldies from my archives – but I am going to try to discipline myself to focus on the future for a little while by getting this proposal ready for editors to see.
Your prayers appreciated!
Posted in Books, Writing | Permalink
Comments
Barbara,
Let me first tell you how much I enjoy reading your blog. I've been lurking for a while and find what you blog about to be very encouraging and informative. I've used many of your suggestions for toys with my own child and have been working on putting some of the Montessori principles into practice in our life. I find your unapologetic, Christian-based political views refreshing.
Also, I think the topic you are going to be writing on will be very interesting. As a former school teacher, I hear loud and clear what your reader is saying about inflated self-esteem from students and their parents. I go to a Bible Study just for moms and today we had guest speakers on different options for education. That is one area that I've really appreciated learning about from your honest posts.
This is just sort of a rambling comment, but I just wanted to say thanks for what you do, keep on keepin' on, and I look forward to what you have to say in your new book (whenever it may be).
Posted by: It's a Mom Thing | February 28, 2007 1:34 PM
If you have not read it already then I highly highly recommend the book "Hold On to Your Kids" by Gordon Neufield. He had some profound (i thought) theories about what is wrong with the current generation. Maybe it would be beneficial for this book you are thinking about.
Posted by: paigeu | February 28, 2007 5:21 PM
Barbara,
I love reading your blog!
Your recent blog entry reminds me of a great article in the New York Times called, "The Perils of Praise." The article discusses the self-esteem movement and how it has created children with low self esteem and dependent on the opinions of others. I included the link below along with another article.
Here is the link:
http://nymag.com/news/features/27840/
and the other article called "Caution Praise Can be Dangerous":
http://www.aft.org/pubs-reports/american_educator/spring99/PraiseSpring99.pdf
Thank you for all that you blog! :^)
Posted by: Sarah | February 28, 2007 5:35 PM
That's really interesting. Thanks for sharing some of the behind-the-scenes writing process with us!
Posted by: Meredith | February 28, 2007 5:46 PM
You may find this book interesting. I'll be looking forward to your take on it all!
Posted by: Gen | February 28, 2007 10:45 PM
Sounds exciting! I can't wait to hear more!
Posted by: Michelle Potter | March 1, 2007 8:32 PM
