Deb Eileen Cook on New Beginnings

In honor of today’s release of Deb Eileen’s The Education of Hailey Kendrick, Deb Eleanor is taking a break from all this dancing and letting one of our favorite Debs take a turn around the dance floor.  Deb Eileen, we’re so glad to have you come by for a visit!

Deb Eileen Cook on New Beginnings

The Education of Hailey Kendrick is my fourth book.  In theory I should know what I’m doing by now. I’m often asked what I’ve learned about publishing that I didn’t know when I started.  After my first book release I remember being quite shocked by the following:

1) Oprah did not call to beg me to be on her show. Nor did Ellen, The Today Show, Larry King, or NPR.

2) My hometown did not throw a parade in my honour complete with those giant inflatable cartoon character balloons and marching bands.

3) When I entered a bookstore there was no red carpet leading to a giant floor display of my books and a blare of trumpets to announce my arrival.

4) Everyday life continued. The grocery clerk didn’t know (or care) who I was, fans and paparazzi did not cluster outside my house, there was still laundry that needed to be done, and someone really needed to clean out the fridge, especially that scary zone under the vegetable crisper.

I’d seen publication as some sort of finish line. A chance to say that I had “arrived.” What I’ve learned is that publishing isn’t a destination, it’s a journey. Every book (heck-every chapter)- is a chance to start again. Another new beginning.  We can write this book better. We can introduce our readers to new characters, to feel new things, and to raise new questions.

Every writer I know (no matter how many books they’ve written) still have a moment where they sit down and look at the blank page and wonder if they can do it.  Do they have another story that needs to be told? Do they have the strength and talent to take this new book from start to finish? I don’t know- but I know I can’t wait to start the next book.

Thanks for having me back at the ball, Debs! I love an excuse to break out my tiara!

And we love having you back, Eileen!  Deb readers – if you love Eileen as much as we do, you can visit her site, or her blog, or hang out with her on Facebook and Twitter.

P.S. One of the Debs’ favorite book bloggers, Larramie of The Divining Wand, is hosting a giveaway of The Education of Hailey Kendrick.  Check it out!

9 Replies to “Deb Eileen Cook on New Beginnings”

  1. LOVE having you back at the Ball, Eileen! And your tiara is sparklier than ever!

    As for Oprah and Larry, look what happened — they failed to invite you on their shows… now Larry’s off the air, and Oprah’s about to follow! Coincidence? I think not.

    As someone prone to breathe-deeply-into-a-paper-bag moments when starting a new book or script, it’s incredibly encouraging to know that even seasoned authors have the same fears.

    Thanks so much for the post, and Happy Release Day!!!

  2. I think pretty much everything worthwhile in life is a journey, not a destination. But you’re right in that thinking of things as a process provides endless new beginnings, and therefore endless opportunity.

    We’re big on avoiding New Year’s Resolutions around this house, because the way we see it, you can start over any day you want.

    Throwing a parade for you in my heart while I wait for Hailey to download to my e-reader!

  6. You have no idea how freakin’ excited I am to read this book. Seriously, I just peed myself.

    Thanks for the very inspiring words (though I trust it’s just a freak thing you aren’t getting the red carpet treatment and the calls from Oprah…that’ll totally happen for me, right? RIGHT!?)

    Tawna

  9. Love this post, and how true it is about the journey vs. the destination! Very wise words from a veteran author. Excited for your new book, and lovely to see you back at The Ball! xoxo

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