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| Exploring images of Irish dolmens yesterday...one is the Brownshill dolmen on the right, and I have no idea where the other is... |
I had a couple of pieces of business that were keeping me from immersing myself in working on the class on Meaning-full Journaling I've mentioned here before...at least let's just blame them, okay? One of them had been hanging fire, as a friend used to say, for weeks (well, months, really), and the other just came up yesterday, but I needed to DEAL with them.
Clear the decks, AND my mind.
I've received an inquiry about republishing a couple of my out of print books as eBooks--honestly, the initial contact was months ago when I was still reeling from the two deaths in the family and I just didn't want to think about it. I finally restablished contact a few weeks ago and we're in the contract-negotiation phase now.
Let me just say that I HATE reviewing contracts. I've dealt with dozens of them and you'd think it would be a piece of cake by now, but...it isn't. The wording's confusing, publishing changes, and eBooks work differently from print books, of course. Not exactly rivetting reading, either, frankly.
So my beloved Author's Guild, to which I've belonged for decades, looked over the contract and offered some brilliant suggestions, which I needed to get into the form I could send to the publisher.
And then I couldn't find their email with the original contract. I DID find my printed-out version, so had to enter all the requests and changes onto that, then transcribe.
Are you asleep yet?
Anyway, finally DONE, and sent off...the other publisher who contacted me about those same books hasn't responded, so we'll see where we go from here. I'll announce here if it works out!
The other thing I needed to deal with and consider was an offer to illustrate a proposed Quarto Book, on birds. Those books are gorgeous, well-designed, elegant, beautifully printed...they like my work, and they sound lovely to work with.
But it had a deadline that would mean some real nose-to-grindstone time as well as putting off the class, and I just wasn't willing. Those things always take more energy and time than I originally set aside for them. (My "80-100" illustrations for The Walker's Companion, years ago, turned into nearly 300, as I recall...not all of which were used, I think.)
And frankly, I'm just not in the place where I want to fit anyone else's timetable or requirements any more. Or anyone else's ideas! I've got plenty of my own...
I don't know how long it will take me to actually get the class ready to go, but I want to put my love and energy there. I want to make it worth it.
Cathy, I agree with you. I have come to that point in my life where I appreciate the beauty that surrounds me, Gods gifts if you will. I appreciate my family, friends,home and health a little more each day. So kiddo, go for it, do and say those things that you hold on to dearly! Carpe diem!
ReplyDeleteThank you! That is JUST what I need to be doing!
ReplyDeleteIt will be ever worth it Kate . hugs!
ReplyDeleteLife is too short to make yourself tense and miserable over deadlines you don't need. Yes, do what you really want to do. Just focus on those chosen things. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm eagerly awaiting your meaning-full journaling class, Kate. I know it will be something special, just like you. I'm glad you have a project that fills your days with joyful anticipation instead of anxiety. It's going to be wonderful!
ReplyDeleteThank you Leslie! Since this one will be an interactive class, I just hope that when I finally schedule it all of you who have been so patiently waiting will have time in YOUR schedule to take it!
ReplyDeleteGlad you have such clarity as to where your energies should go...and really looking forward to the class!
ReplyDeleteJust catching up with your blog; and I completely understand needing to make choices about where your love and energy will go. I just turned down the last item in a small set of drawings/sketches/paintings for a wedding. They want buildings, interiors, just to be faded into the background behind the print on the wedding-day programs... The first 3 printings resulted in weeks of work and 15 prelim pieces, which they fotoshopped into oblivion anyway. No creative energy left there. Follow your muse! I am learning to stay truer to my own as well.
ReplyDeleteI still get tempted sometimes, and distracted by necessity, but I'm MUCH better about not taking on big, new stuff. Just can't. Karen Z, how frustrating!
ReplyDeletePlease, please, take care of yourself and your own choices of priority first. I eagerly await any classes you offer. I think I've taken most of them. But your energy and love and spirit must go to what you choose every day when you wake up. Much love, Karen P.
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