It's in the mail.....!!!!!!!!!!!

I did it!  I'm proud of myself.  I finished my book for The Fiction Project, and I sent it back in the mail yesterday. 

This may not seem like an accomplishment but for me it was huge.  Not only did I write a fiction story which was something out of my comfort zone, but I completed the book while under huge duress. (I must admit creating the book was a wonderful diversion from my worries about my Dad.)  And, I got it done on time. That only happened because I decided it was more important to get the book done than to have it perfect.  (It worked.)

Next, letting it go...That was a little tough. I wanted to keep it so I could show all my friends. The copies I made are pretty good.  However, they don't have the same tactile feel of the book.  You can't touch the handmade paper, or feel the fabric collage, or open the interactive page.  It's just different. 

Below is a picture of the inside of the Brooklyn Art Library that I took off the internet. I wish the library was here in Boston.

Any one up for doing the Sketch Book Project of 2012? 
Here is a link to The Art House Co-op


The Brooklyn Art Library

A few pages from my Fiction Project book

This page is interactive. 

I'm a little afraid the stick will get lost.

Below is the cover I chose.  The shells tie into the story.  The cover is from one of my watercolors.  I had to cut it down to make the cover so I scanned the painting, printed it out on photo paper in matte.  Then, I cut it to fit. Only after I glued it on the book did I realize the ink isn't permanent. 

The cover looks a bit worn and I like that effect.  I sprayed it with fixitive, and I'm hoping it will stand up to handling.

Throughout the book the mischievous muse shows up.  These pictures are really me in differnt outfits. 

Only my family, friends and blog readers will know who the muse really is.  Actually, she is named after my Mom who was a wonderful muse though she didn't know it.

a changed world

It's a different world now for me. 
I'm not sure it has all hit home yet. 

 

I don't want to keep talking about my saddness on my blog. At the same time, I don't want anyone to ever think I'm being disrespectful to my Father as I go back to my usual posts.

Two weeks ago today my life changed forever when my Dad passed from this earth. I think I made my Dad proud by dealing with everything involved with his passing. It's amazing how many details needed to be handled - and right away! My family has been extremely supportive, too. Perhaps, being so busy helps you get by...but it's at night when it all hits you.

It's difficult to move on....but I think this is a healthy step.
One of the things I need to do for myself is send in my Fiction Project book before the deadline. My Dad knew about the book and kept asking me how it was coming along. Unfortunately, he never saw the finished book. I think he would like it.

Anyway, tomorrow the book goes in the mail. A creation I don't really want to part with! I wonder if my fellow Fiction Project creators feel the same way. I want to share my book, but it's my baby, and it's hard to let it go.  

cover hesitation...

Oh Gosh, I'm amazed at how difficult it is to figure out a cover for the book I wrote for The Fiction Project.  I want to make the cover memorable...or at least nice enough to get someone to open my book!  So far, I'm NOT doing very well.  I really had hoped a few people would want to read my book while it's on the journey across America. So far, I haven't come up with the right cover design.  Nothing seems right.   

I've thought about using one or two prints from my watercolors, for the cover, but they don't seem to fit the title.  It should be something fun, bright - and I'm just not there yet.  

I started painting a background for the cover.  It turned out too muddy.  Yikes. I was hoping to send my  book in soon.  I'm going to have to solve this problem quickly!


Now, I'm thinking I might print out one of  my beach scenes and use a photo on the cover instead of a painting or print.  This might work since I talk about the beach in the story.



I'll have to play with this idea.

Fear of the blank page....

What is it about a blank canvas or a blank book page that is so daunting? There's an idea blooming in our heads...yet, the page stays blank and scary for days.  We look at it, but nothing happens.

I finally gulped down my feelings of intimidation.  I decided I would start my Fiction Project book yesterday no matter what.  I guess, it won't be the most perfect book ever created.  It won't even be a stellar example of an altered book because this is my very first project of this sort.  That's a fact I will live with.  I set my goal as just getting the book completed!  To realize my goal I had to start...

Often "Start" is the most important step to a creative adventure even if it's a scary step.  Without "Start"....there is never an ending....so I'm excited now.  I'm on my way.

The Title of my book is:

It will be fun.  I swear

*
The Adventures of a

Mischievous Muse

Art House Co-op - The Fiction Project 2011

My blank book arrived a few days ago from The Art House Co-op in Brooklyn, New York.  

This truly will be a challenge for me, but I'm looking forward to combining writing and art to create my story.  The Fiction Project sets its sights on literature and creating a narrative book that fuses writing with art!  I believe I need to have the project completed and back in the mail by May 1st so it can join the other books in a tour of the country.

The books will be included in an exhibition visiting galleries and museums in the following cities:

Brooklyn, NY San Francisco, CA Chicago, IL Seattle, WAWinter Park, FL

After the tour of the country these books will return to the Brooklyn Art Library and become part of the permanent collection in New York.  How neat is that?