Time Marcheth Along...

After I decided to write a book (I mean really, really decided; met with an editor, cleaned out my office, told my husband), I began to research how other mothers and wives and working women pulled it all together.

One of my favorite writers, and people, for that matter, is Heather Lende, author of If You Lived Here, I'd Know Your Name. Heather lives in Haines, Alaska, a little town some five hours by ferry from Juneau, and has written the aforementioned book, a few others, and has a regular column in Women's Day, an achievement I covet madly. She started out writing obituaries for the Haines paper, then wrote her first book, then another, plus the extra stuff she does every day, all while staying happily married and raising her pack of equally awesome kids, now grownups and on their own quests to become awesome adults.

Heather knows how a mother's day can switch from empty to full in a matter of minutes; in fact, she talks about it in a fabulous chapter of If You Lived Here...Forgotten trumpets, broken bike chains, chicken coops not draining properly, you name it.

Mondays and Thursdays are supposed to be Dedicated Writing Days.  Scheduled for my writing pleasure, these days are, making any other opportunities mere icing. Yesterday, though, I blew it. Went to a lunch meeting, picked up a stranded friend from the airport and delivered him to downtown Anchorage, then went back to meet him for a beer after seeing to my son's homework and dinner and Tiger Cub badge requirements. Total. Wash.

Finding the time to write is by far the most challenging aspect of creating a book. I feel like I'm making unauthorized withdrawals from the National Bank of Alaska On the Go, without any deposits. Then I feel guilty for doing the same from the Bank of Family. Argh.

Creating actual words is the easy part - it's the periphery that brings me grief.

Editors Are Not Bad

Each month I meet with my editor in a dark corner of a local coffee shop. Huddled at what will surely be our "regular" table, we talk about kids, travel, Alaska, and The Book. While we've had a mere handful of these formal meetings, I can already see the value of having a second pair of eyes and a completely unique skill set to enable me to pull off this project.

It used to be hard to let anyone read my words, be they editor, mother, friend, or spouse. I'll even go so far as to say I really don't like reading my own stuff, either. I always find things I wished I had stated in a different format, or think of a particular point I forgot until after I sent in the work.

This is why I like Editor. She is calm, professional, and never mean to me. This is important - I come from a lifetime of Catholic education and still have nightmares about middle school English teachers who would throw books, and yell; an editor who does none of these things is quite valuable to my still-fragile ego. Editor is also quite dedicated. Today she informed me that both her laptop and iPhone had gone to the graveyards, but there she was, pen in hand, my manuscript on the table, scribbling and drawing and getting the job done. I love it.

Editor plays a key role in The Book's gestation. She is the voice of sanity when I think I've written too much, or not enough. She thinks of those forgotten topics at just the right time, and understands that I am new at this whole publishing thing. She is honest without being obnoxious, kind without being condescending. Plus, I love the little computer program thingie that makes my edits from her edits so, so seamless.

I have a lot of days when writing is just plain hard. After I meet with Editor, though, the words seem to flow better, and the finished product becomes a more visible, like peering through a dirty pane of glass to a beautiful sunrise on the other side. Best $$ I ever spent, in my Book.

"You're Writing a Book? Great. When?"

That's what my husband said when I mentioned, over a glass of throaty Merlot, how much I would like to write a book. A guide, actually. A guide to exploring Alaska with children, specifically.

Hubs' very valid question of "when" came at our return from two weeks aboard the Alaska Marine Highway System, where we relaxed and recreated 24-7 the Inside Passage of southeast AK. Our (okay, my) website and blog, AKontheGO, had seen a fine year of increasing attention by the travel powers-that-be; people who see the value of stroking a family travel writer to encourage intrepid parents about their own immersion into the 49th state beyond that which cruise ships advertise (and I adore our cruise industry).

But my spouse knows me well, and understands writing is akin to breathing for his wife, so he poured another glass of wine, settled himself in a deck chair, and said "Tell me about it." Three hours later, I had a concept, a few ideas for publishing, and three pages full of scribbled notes.

I timidly approached a former editor whose "AWESOME!" response gave me hope. I sketched an outline (and promptly became discouraged at how many pages appeared for one book), and began to mention to certain circles my plan of action.

People cheered, they high-fived, they poured more wine. I found an editor whose calm and professional personality belies my slightly frenetic, OCD one. I created a writing schedule, cleaned out my office, and frantically began contacting my travel industry peeps.

So here I am. And now, here you are, following along. This is the place to ask questions, give me feedback, and offer your best suggestions when I ask "Have you ever been to....?" or "What's your favorite family-friendly restaurant in.....?"

"Alaska On the Go: Exploring the 49th State With Children" is a big idea in a big state. Somehow, though the two seem to fit.

Bring it on.