Summary

The author is in the process of editing their first published book, "Oh Look . . . There’s a Squirrel," while listening to Philip Glass's "Metamorphosis," and is grappling with procrastination and the desire to perfect the manuscript before submission to Amazon and a potential writer's residency application.

Abstract

The web content describes the author's ongoing struggle with editing their upcoming book, which has been revised multiple times. The author finds solace in the music of Philip Glass, preferring it over Baroque music for its forward-moving qualities that aid in the editing process. The narrative reveals the author's history of not publishing previous works, including a Master's Thesis and a dissertation, and emphasizes the importance of completing the current book for a residency application deadline. Despite the challenges and self-doubt, the author has made progress, adding chapters to meet the page requirements for a print-on-demand version of the eBook. The author also offers advice on formatting for those interested in converting Medium stories into a book and teases a forthcoming eBook titled "Oh Look, There’s a Squirrel and Other Stories."

Opinions

The author views the editing process as akin to one of Dante's infernal circles, indicating a love-hate relationship with the task.
There is a self-awareness and internal dialogue about the potential for madness due to the relentless editing, yet a drive to continue refining the work.
Philip Glass's music is seen as a catalyst for productivity, particularly when it comes to moving forward with the editing process.
The author reflects on past decisions not to publish, suggesting a pattern of hesitation or perfectionism.
There is a sense of urgency and pressure to complete the book for the August 1 residency application deadline, which is balanced with the need to ensure the book is ready.
The decision to add more chapters to meet print-on-demand requirements shows a commitment to a professional standard for the book's physical format.
The author is open to sharing knowledge, offering tips for readable writing and formatting advice for aspiring eBook creators.
The author's tone conveys a mix of frustration, determination, and optimism, particularly with the announcement of the book's progress and the offer of a free short e-book to interested readers.

WRITING | EDITING |WRITERS | PHILIP GLASS | Book

Still Editing, Still Procrastinating

Still Listening to Philip Glass

Find Philip Glass’ Metamorphosis on YouTube. Turn up the volume. Begin editing the latest writing for 4th time.

Sometimes I think editing my own stuff is yet another circle from Dante’s Inferno.

Part of me says, “Please stop before you drive yourself mad.”

The other part says “Just one more run through.”

Keep listening to Philip Glass Metamorphosis. His music is better for moving forward than the Baroque music of Bach, Vivaldi, and Telemann you usually choose for working.

After all this is your FIRST published book. You burned your Master’s Thesis for which there was a promise to publish the music you’d transcribed. (The burning of the Master’s Thesis story is here.)

And then you refused to publish your dissertation even though you had a contract with the University of Illinois Press.

Three years ago you had a writer’s residency for women from the Turkey Land Cove Foundation on Martha’s Vineyard. You started this book there.

Now you want to apply again and the deadline is August 1. How can you apply if you don’t get Oh Look . . . There’s a Squirrel edited for the final time and on to Amazon, at least in eBook form? (Read the title story from the book now.)

Move forward. Keep listening to Philip Glass. Turn the volume up a notch.

Ya, right. Even if you were granted an alumni residency of a couple weeks— and you do have a good chance IF the book is done — there’s COVID19. Like you’d get on a plane in Denver and fly to Boston, even with a mask?

Stop! Nothing is going to happen if you don’t apply. And you can’t apply if the book isn’t up on Amazon as an eBook or at least finished. Move forward.

Crank the volume on Philip Glass. Close the window so the neighbors don’t complain.

Addendum: Three days later, I am compelled to return to this story in order to announce that I did finish the application — a big deal that devoured most of a work day. And attached a pdf version of the eBook to the application.

That I’ve decided to add four more chapters to the book before submitting to Amazon is beside the point. I had a finished manuscript to submit with my application.

Now before you accuse me of gross procrastination about which I could teach a class, adding more chapters was necessary.

Here’s why I had to do it and take note if an eBook is on you mind:

If you want your eBook to be available as a publish-on-demand soft cover book — and why wouldn’t you?— you must have 130 pages in order to have a spine with your name and book title.

If you don’t care about text on the spine and you just want an ebook, 101 pages will do. I want my name and title on the spine which required adding chapters.

In case you want to combine your Medium stories into a book as I’m doing with my forthcoming book Oh Look . . . There’s a Squirrel, here are the basics of how to do it:

The standard format is a common, plain serif font (Times New Roman, Courier, and Georgia are simple serif fonts), 12 point type and single spaced. Paragraphs indented and margin justified. Obviously, this formatting involves more than a simple cut and paste of what you have on Medium.

If you’d like to be added to the list to receive a free copy of a short e-book, “9 Tips for Readable Writing,” send an email to [email protected]. Follow my suggestions, post everyday and you’ll soon have enough for an eBook, if not a soft-cover publish-on-demand book.

Watch for my forthcoming e-book, Oh Look, There’s a Squirrel and Other Stories.