Wisdom in making a book

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ArtsieSteph

Senior Member
Apr 1, 2014
6,194
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Arizona
#1
So when my dad was dealing with cancer, God gave him the idea to have me do journals and a comic for my mental and emotional health - to deal with what was happening. He said someday to publish it, and that would be a way to witness to people. Though thinking back I’m not sure if he wanted it to be a book or just the website I have it on. 🤔

The thing is, I’m just wondering when and how I should do the publishing bit. I really need prayer that God would give me the wisdom on what to do.
 

laughingheart

Senior Member
Sep 21, 2016
1,709
1,668
113
#2
It wouldn't hurt to start exploring the process. To self publish or not self publish is one of the biggest questions a modern writer needs to clarify for themselves. Both have pros and cons. This exercise might give opportunities was you to know which direction is right for you. There is a lot of work involved once a book is written. My best advice is do not write a book, wait, wait, I am not discouraging you! I would say write from the heart. Write moments, write the places in the journey that meant something to you. Write the stories, the lessons, the feelings. That is what people want to know, need to know and what you want and need to share.
Your inner editor will say you must record everything and it must be chronological, but you know that the best stories/books never start with, "I was born in the summer of 1934. My sister was born in 1935. My brother Edwin,..." You get what I'm saying. Start with writing about the things that matter to you and let it take form. The best writings reveal just a bit more than you are comfortable with sharing. That is a quote from Neil Gaiman. The has a great writing course on Masterclass.
So what I'm saying is that writing a book can be an overwhelming task. Write your truth instead and you may well end up with a book. Maybe it lends itself better to stories or magazine articles but whatever you do, I'm cheering you on.
Steph I pray that you take comfort and purpose in your writing and this journey. Bless you as you go, hugs, Laughingheart.
 

Magenta

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2015
56,020
26,145
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#3
"When I was graduating from college and overweight and frustrated and miserable and tired of writing in my journal, I kind of summed up the disasters of my day in a little picture form,” says Guisewite. “And my mom felt that these very embarrassing personal moments should be shared by millions of women.”

Her mom’s sense that women would relate proved to be right. The “Cathy” comic strip ran in newspapers from 1976 until Guisewite’s retirement in 2010. genesis of Cathy comic strip

Drawn by Cathy Guisewite from 1976 until 2010, the comic is about a woman, Cathy, who struggles through the "four basic guilt groups" of life—food, love, family, and work. The strip gently pokes fun at the lives and foibles of modern women. The strip debuted on November 22, 1976, and appeared in over 1,400 newspapers at its peak. The strips have been compiled into more than 20 books. Three television specials were also created. Guisewite received the National Cartoonists Society Reuben Award in 1992 for the strip. All about "Cathy" on wiki

:)