At the beginning of the year, I swore to myself that I would only post about finished projects here on this blog. No more "this is what I'm working on". A lot of those works in progress didn't get finished (yet), and then I get disappointed with myself and worry that I disappoint you.
I am currently working on a commissioned shawl for Mostly Merino 's Margaret Klein Wilson. She gave me 4 of her sportweight skeins at Rhinebeck last year and I have been plugging away at a top down garter stitch shawl which will be displayed in her booth to show off the yarn.
The other thing I have been working on is writing a book. There. I said it. Knitting the beautiful expanse of the garter stitch shawl has given me ample time to ponder (and stop and write and keep tweaking designs) what I want to say in the book.
So far, what I have is an agent who wants to see a proposal, and the whole thing is still so much up in the air I can barely even grasp it. Some days it feels more real than others. On the days that it feels real, I tell myself that this book will be written whether I can find a publisher or not -- it's that important to me.
Then I try to hold on to the importance of it all, for me, and I tell myself that I can totally do this. I was desperately trying to work it all out that I would do this book and then tell you, in a year or so, "Oh, by the way? I have a book coming out!". I didn't want to jinx myself; disappoint myself or you if it didn't work out in the end. So I've only told very few of you. In the meantime, it was getting harder and harder not to talk about it. Over the weekend (being sick in bed may have helped a little) I've come to realize that I can't do any of it myself. I need you.
It is costing me a huge amount of effort to tell you and to ask you. But I'll need you to tell me that I can do this, I need you to prop me up when I'm too tired from working my job and still have a deadline to fulfill. I need you to be my knitting companions like you've always been, my enablers, my questioners, I need you here with me, my dear friends. Especially when and if I get the rejection letters, I'll need someone to hand me a box of tissues.
I have no clue if there is anything I can ever give you in return, other than my boundless gratitude. Can you deal with that?
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17 comments:
Karin, I thought you should know that the minute I read that you were writing a book, my response was "Oh great! Can't wait to read it." And that's even without knowing anything more. . . in other words, here's one strong vote of confidence.
--Elizabeth D
Good luck with your book proposal. Rejections are a fact of life, don't let them stop you!
Oh My Goodness! A BOOK! I KNOW you can do this! I can tell by the way you write about it. That book is already inside of you, just waiting to come on out! I can't wait to see it!(But i will be patient;) love, mare
Even trying to write a book is so impressive! I'm trying to write an article and I think about it a lot and write a little. So, as an English teacher, fellow knitter, admirer and friend you have every bit of my encouragement! I send all my best writing karma your way!
I know you can do it and it will be great!
Sign me up, baby! All the free propping and enabling and knitting you want...and maybe some dyeing...
You'll be great!
I know you can't leak real details, but what will the book be about, I mean, in general?
Wow. I am awestruck. You can do it!
“The only real failure in life is the failure to try.”
You could probably find enough quotes here to last you right to the very last sentence you write!!!! At least in this book.
http://thinkexist.com/quotations/failure/
Go for it!!!!!
Teri
Wow, that's wonderful! What kind of book? I will definitely buy a copy when it comes out. Good luck, and tell us more!
Hi Karin, you can do it !!!!!!!!!! Just think of how it was for the Bronte sisters or other pioneer/ground breaking writers in general. I personaly hope its a knitting/pattern book;-) or at least something fiber related.I think you have a great eye with your photos so you could supply the illustrations too!!! And you could sneak in a few of your wonder recipes so that knitters can eat delicious,healthy meals to keep them knitting!!! Whatever path you take with your writing we all support you. Knit on!
Karin where can I preorder a copy and will there be a book signing???? You can do it, what a thrill for us to be able to say "we knew her when..."
GOOD LUCK!
Dorah
Count on me! Cathy
I just now caught up with my reading and wow! miss a day and all heck breaks loose! So I'm a little late with my encouraging words but as I used to tell my kids "The only failure is not trying." Which is the same thing Teri said, I think. And so what if the book gets rejected. No one EVER died of embarrassment and you know you have all of us to lean on.
Hi Sister,
I would be very proud, if my sister would have her "own" book.
Do it!! It doesn´t matter, what a special person would say ;-))
Do it, I´m proud of you!
Doris
HOORAY!!!!
Karin, I'm so happy that you are going to push yourself to accomplish something as grand as writing a knitting book. You have the eye and skills as a designer, and a way with words.
I'm starting a magazine as I have been posting on the Facebook statues. I've always wanted to be an editor, and there is a great need of good writing/publishing in our area. I have no idea if it's ever going to take off, but I figured I might as well put in the effort.
I can deal. And I'm very good at prodding (although some people call it nagging, but we won't get into that).
This is unbelievably exciting - way to go!
Oh Karin! This is SO exciting! Go for it and we are here for you!
Greg can tell you all about rejection letters! And you have gotten over the first hurdle which is having an agent to look at it. That's a BIG deal. Plus, on top of all of that if the establishment doesn't wind up being the right outlet publishing on your own is a very viable option and Greg can tell you all about that too.
But, the most important thing is that no matter how many of us are waiting for your book to come out, that YOU are doing this first and foremost for YOU. Which is what you said. Genuine creativity will undoubtedly receive genuine consideration.
I am so excited for you.
P.S. Greg just started working on his second novel that he has been putting off for the past few years.
Where do I sign up to be a supporter? Anything I can do to be useful, let me know :)
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