Tuesday 26 January 2010

Diary of a New Author.

A New Beginning?


January 2010.  Last Meeting With The Publishers!

It is very hard finding the words to describe how I feel this morning. I am preparing for a trip to meet with my publishers. This will be the final meeting before my book  goes to print and then becomes available later this year. All the writing, all the paintings,everything is in place and now is the last chance to make any changes.

I have read  the text over and over. I have considered each painting and what it is trying to convey to the reader.

I am ready.

It has been such an incredible journey from simply dreaming about writing and actually making the jump from artist to author. I have been blessed with a fantastic publisher who has given me so much encouragement while the project has been on going. Their professional experience has made this even more of a terrific experience. One I will never forget.

Over the years many students and artist colleagues have begged me to write and share my passion for watercolour and spontaneous technique. More recently my workshops and demonstrations have led to even more requests for a book from artists all over the world.

And here I sit typing about a meeting which holds the key to any changes to be discussed before my work  becomes public.Out of my hands and into yours.

The feeling is  really hard to describe. Excitement doesn't cover it, emotional comes close and surprisingly there are nerves too. Very unexpectedly. So many people have high expectations of me and I am begiinning to worry I may be letting  everyone down if this isn't how they imagined it to be!

" Please share how you paint faces.....please make sure there is a flower painting in it, please make sure you have landscapes covered.......please have animals..........."

With so many requests and only so many pages how was I to keep everyone happy? But I have tried. I have covered as much as I can in a way I hope will be easy to digest and follow in a way to encourage readers to see as I do enjoying the joyous freedom in my brushstrokes.

It is time to turn off my computer and  pack.

I hesitate as a thought occurs to me.

Holding my first proof in my hands this morning I know the next time I see my book it will be the real thing. The copy  that you will see on sale.

I have to let go of  what has become so precious to me over the last year and share it with the world.

What a feeling. For some reason I feel very small knowing how many wonderful artists are already published and "out there". Maybe that is the most down to earth feeling to consider but I feel as though I am leaping into a future that is a foreign country to me....a new adventure where I will meet many new friends along the way.

Artist to author?  It is time to make the leap...............

Wish me luck!

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14 comments:

Melissa Fischer said...

Good luck! And enjoy this special, special time. :)

Helen said...

I wish you all the luck in the world Jean but I have no doubts at all! It will be a winner xxx

Unknown said...

Jean - I do wish you luck but you do not need it! Your sharing of knowledge is so appreciated already by everyone who has come into contact with you - we are queueing up to get our grubby little hands on it - we really cannot wait - enjoy the process and enjoy the thanks and gratitude that will surely come back to you when it is available.Wow!

Bert said...

Break a leg, kid.

Billie Crain said...

Best of luck, Jean! I just know it'll be a big seller. Remember...the cover is a big deal, too. If the cover doesn't grab my attention I'll pass it by...of course unless I already 'know' the author and love their work.

Unknown said...

i wish you every success with the book,i'm absolutely certain with your unique and superb style with watercolour that you wont require any luck,the skill and artistic merits of your work alone will ensure that the book is a stunner!

JANE MINTER said...

wishing you lots of luck jean ... it will be a huge success ... can't wait to read it !

Jean Haines SWA, SFP said...

Helen thank you so much for your friendship and faith in my art,you have been here every step of the way for me and I hope this year will be one to rememner in many ways........we will certainly celebrate if it is!

Jean Haines SWA, SFP said...

Hello Susan. Thank you so much, I can't wait to see you again this year and love watching your own art journey progress. It is a pure pleasure to share with artists as talented as yourself and as generous as you in showing how much you care.......see you at the next private preview and workshops .......you are wonderful, Jean

Jean Haines SWA, SFP said...

Hello Lindsay, I hope its lucky to nreak two.It must be as I am now working on a second book!

Jean Haines SWA, SFP said...

Hello Billie, thank you so much. I am in great hands as the publishers are advising me every step of the way.I have tried to create a cover that will appeal to all artists which wasn't quite so simple due to the fact I paint so many subjects. I will be sharing the cover here very soon so it will be interesting to see if the right choice has been made! I hope you like it:)

Jean Haines SWA, SFP said...

Clive as a huge fan of your work I am so thrilled to read your reply, thank you so much for such wonderful and encouraging feedback. I will wait nervously for its launch and in the meantime work on a second book.....thank you so much for your faith in me:) Your reply means a lot.

Jean Haines SWA, SFP said...

Hello Jane,you will be one of the very first to know about when it is out. It won't be too long now and you will love book number two! Its right up your street!!!!!!!

Helen said...

I can only reiterate what I said last time! I jave no doubts at all your book will be a winner...can't wait xxx