Just had a super long conversation by phone with Timmy, talking about a range of things, including writing. He’s been working on a manuscript that I’m so looking forward to reading when it’s ready. I also told him the current project I’ve undertaken, which involves this:
Since Tim and I have the rights to both of our out-of-print Alyson books, The Deal and Three Fortunes in One Cookie, we’ve thought about making them available as ebooks. However, our electronic versions of the books are pre copy and line edits: What I have on the computer does not match the published novels. So the first step is to get a good electronic version. It’s slow going to compare the minuscule print of the book to the version on my monitor. So far I’ve been surprised by one typo–ours–which no one at Alyson ever caught. I knew there were a couple of mistakes in the book, but this is one that had escaped my notice until now.
It’s been so long since I read Three Fortunes that it’s hard not to get caught up in the story–that slows me down, too. But once this part is over, Tim has said, with an odd gleam in his eyes, that he wants to do a content edit. I’m not sure what this means. I know the plot won’t change, but I’m wondering if he plans to eliminate a friend or two? Scary!
Maybe this is a good time to whip out a photo of Tim sitting beneath the branches of the Friendship Oak in 2004. I just checked on the 500-plus years old Friendship, who got beaten up so badly by Katrina, and she’s growing and thriving. The legend is that those who enter her shadow will remain friends for a lifetime. That’s good news for many people, including Tim and me, as well as some characters in Three Fortunes.
Speaking of friends, that little clip on the copy of the book in the top picture was given to me by my friend/roommate Debbie decades ago. It’s been used as a chip clip, but it’s really a clip for holding a recipe card on the counter while I’m cooking. I’ve used it for that many times. It’s serving a good purpose as a page clip, which should work for a few more chapters.
The best friendships endure when we value the ways we grow and change as well as our history together. So if Three Fortunes needs some changes, I’m on board. One thing you can be sure WILL change on any future edition of the novel:
This cover will be no more.
Alas, you own the book, but not the cover. And I just said last week that I was going to reread the book. Maybe I’ll wait and do it on my Kindle.
I’m amazed by the 500-year old Friendship Tree. We lost a couple of local oaks that were pre-1776 in the tornados last year.
There is no “alas” about it; I’ll be thrilled for the cover to change. I hope one day you will be reading it on an ereader! Thanks.
It’s so hard to lose those old trees. =(
Of all the books I have that you’ve written, this is easily my favorite …. I am excited that you are going to introduce it to new readers
Thank you very much. =)
….no thank you for the edit!
Actually, you wrote it right in the first place. You just misread what you wrote. So all I did was delete your “correction”–didn’t edit your first comment at all. =)
I want that cover on a T-shirt.
Ha ha ha!
Can’t wait to add both to my e-library!
Sweet! I should get busy, then!