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Generally the month of February is a little depressing. Endless rain keeping you in, biz a little on the sluggish side, you know the drill.
Well, a week ago I got an interesting email. My email is generally all over the map with blog happenings, but this one stood out.
A book publisher of all things spotted my blog and was totally drawn to what I was creating. She wanted a phone appointment which was set for the next day.
And then it rang and as you can see, I was more than ready. She was curious if I was interested in writing a book on what I show on the blog.
After I composed myself and said I was, she wanted me to write one chapter in a week and send it to her to prove I had it in me. I accepted the challenge.
So I wrote. I wrote and wrote and wrote. My son was gone that weekend so I wrote right through, barely coming up for air.
But I did more than write. She also wanted an idea on how I wanted the book to look. Perfect.
So I designed a page layout and pulled a two for one. She didn't know I was a designer and expected the design requests in text format.
I designed and wrote bits of a few chapters. And proof read until I could read no longer. I got some pointers from two career writers as well as Dan S for design. And then I sent it off the day before it was due (2 days ago) and held my breath.
No call yesterday. Ugh... so I emailed today explaining emails with attachments sometimes weren't getting through and to please let me know if the one I sent her did.
Feeling like perhaps I came off as a pest, I started getting ready for work. But I didn't get out the door because the phone DID ring. And it was the editor.
They LOVED it. They loved my ideas, and I was told, the group said to her, gasping.. "How did you FIND her?!?" Not only did they love the content, they went crazy over the book design. That ultimately packed up and sold the book idea.
Her proposal? "How soon can you write this book and would you like to design it yourself? We'll pay you for your design work.
Yeah. I know.
So we nattered abit and she'll rig up a contract within a couple weeks and we'll go from there.
There wasn't even ONE request I disagreed with. She was totally accommodating, right down to bringing my son along for speaking engagements when flown here or there.
Oh my gosh.
Now, know, this comes with abit more story attached and those that follow faith will nod their head knowingly. I broke down IN Church (oh goodness...) last week and asked the Big Guy Upstairs for some kind of opportunity, and threw in possibly writing a book as part of the request. Two days later I received her email.
Go to church, people!
And how did the editor find me? She barely knew. A friend told her to look up a blog, and she happened to look at the sidebar, clicked on something, leading her to yet another blog and sidebar on someone else's blog and spotted me on the sidebar blogroll. The name drew her in and she dug around. And immediately made the call.
They were looking for a home decor kind of book to write and they only wanted to do one. She said mine was the only one that spoke to her.
I was laughing and crying all day today. I had to go letter up a rig and brought Cody along. I can barely remember doing the job. Then we went out for dinner and I have no idea what the poor boy said to me all night long, even though he had to repeat everything twice. LOL
In one week, my life has turned upside down in the very best way possible. I won't lie. That last week was incredibly difficult. I not only had to do a draft of the book, but all the spec work on my blog traffic, hits, where the hits were coming from, number crunching, you name it. They got a book draft, proposal AND number report.
But I went for it and pushed until it was perfect.
While it isn't a signed deal yet, there's no reason at this time to speculate it won't happen.
Interesting that the moment I stepped out of a 17 year job that was no longer ticking my clock and devoted more time towards a hobby instead, how that's revolved into something MUCH more so quickly.
There's been more publicity lately in print and more in the works as well. Not really sure what's all happening lately but it appears that February is a pretty darn good month for all things Funky Junk.
Oh my gosh. I'M WRITING A BOOK!
If you want to read the posts that I wrote on the topic thus far, they're at:
posted
Donna, I'm going to make a confession here... or two even... the first one I know you can relate to. Your good buddy Dan is such an incredible artist, but also, seemingly a master of the art of life... and to see his creations has always inspired the creative aspirations within me... maybe not enough to instantly break the chains & be all I can be... but certainly to believe I can, and to rattle the chains a little harder each day... I don't bother writing about that side of the inspiration he feeds so many of us, because he doesn't need to know, and many here know already & many more are writing that already...
5 or so years ago, you were another of the friends here, who I knew saw the same source of inspiration as I and so many others have in the leadership of folks like Dan...
in the last 2 or 3 years, the success stories, the blog posts, the images of your hobby coming to life, and always the writing style through which you convey all the rest of that to your friends here... you got it!!! You are such an inspiration in the mastery of living & like our other mentors and muses here... we all will rattle the chains a little more seeing you soar!
posted
What Doug said- I have always loved your writing style- and your imagination! Couldn't happen to a nicer person!
-------------------- Catharine C. Kennedy CCK Graphics 1511 Route 28 Chatham Center, NY 12184 cck1620@taconic.net "Look at me, Look at me, Look at me now! I't's fun to have fun, But you have to know how!" Posts: 2173 | From: downtown Chatham Center, NY | Registered: Feb 2004
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posted
Well of course I have been following your blog and even have a link to it in my blog....so this comes as no surprise to me. You have even taken the time to help me with blogger questions when I get stuck.
You do an excellent job on writing your blog, excel at capturing your your projects with excellent photography , your projects are always top notch, and you care about your readers.
Most of all, your passion for your "hobby" shows through each time you share a project.
Best of luck with your book, I'm sure it will shine....can't wait to a copy myself.
Making the simple complicated is commonplace; making the complicated simple, awesomely simple, that's creativity. — Charles Mingus Posts: 6724 | From: Mendocino, CA. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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How exciting Donna. You have indeed been blessed with the opportunity and the gifting to meet it head on. You go Girl!
-------------------- Bill Modzel Mod-Zel screen Printing Traverse city, MI modzel@sbcglobal.net Posts: 1357 | From: Traverse City, MI | Registered: Nov 1998
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-------------------- aka:Cisco the "Traveling Millennium Sign Artist" http://www.franciscovargas.com Fresno, CA 93703 559 252-0935 "to live life, is to love life, a sign of no life, is a sign of no love"...Cisco 12'98 Posts: 3576 | From: Fresno, Ca, the great USA | Registered: Dec 1998
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Run with it girl!!!! I'm so happy for you, you've worked hard and earned it. I think I may have to break down and get satellite TV because I'm thinking there will be a Funky Junk show soon!
-------------------- “Did you ever stop to think, and forget to start again?” -Winnie the Pooh & A.A. Milne
Kelly Thorson Kel-T-Grafix 801 Main St. Holdfast, SK S0G 2H0 ktg@sasktel.net Posts: 5496 | From: Penzance, Saskatchewan | Registered: May 2002
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Donna, I am so happy that you are recognized as you have true talent and the skill to communicate your vision in style. Your decor ideas are very imaginative and fresh. This is Great! Enjoy!!
-------------------- Élaine Beauchemin scrip Lettrage Scripsit inc. St-Hubert, Quebec, Canada www.scripsit.net Posts: 1096 | From: Saint-Hubert, Québec, Canada | Registered: Nov 1998
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Donna I learned a long time ago that God answers all prayers, in His time and in His way. Ask and you shall receive.
You are destined to be greater!
-------------------- Len Mort Signmaker1.com 11 Juniper Drive Millbury, MA 508-865-2382 "A Good Business Sign, is A Sign of Good Business"(1957) Posts: 811 | From: Millbury, Ma | Registered: Dec 2006
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In your brain, you must have been thinking, "Really?, really? 'really?, I can do this!" Congratulations!!
-------------------- Signs by Alicia Jennings (Mudflap Girl) Tacoma, WA Since 1987 Have Lipstick, will travel. Posts: 3820 | From: Tacoma, WA. U.S.A. | Registered: Dec 1999
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Congratulations! I'm thrilled for you and will add another "Soon to be" book to my list to purchase. It's been a pleasure to read about your work and see your creativity in action. I'm delighted the rest of the world will get to see it too.
-------------------- Doug Haffner Haffner Signs www.haffnersigns.com 309-338-9570 211 W. Williams Wyoming, Il 61491 Posts: 211 | From: Wyoming, Illinois | Registered: May 2010
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posted
What a nice story to wake up to. Dreams can come true. A person with true substance can be recognized and rewarded. Donna, you are a true inspiration.
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VERY happy for you and your son! Keep us posted and let us know when we can buy the book!
-------------------- Jane Diaz Diaz Sign Art 628 W. Lincoln Ave. Pontiac, Il. 61764 815-844-7024 www.diazsignart.com Posts: 4102 | From: Pontiac, IL USA | Registered: Feb 1999
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posted
I believe in answered prayers. I've experienced it in my own life. Each time it seems to come in ways I never imagined. And often the answer starts long before we breathe our prayers. There is a plan for each of us and all we have to do is be willing.
Donna has impacted people far, far beyond anything she will ever know and undoubtably will continue to do so. That is her task in this and other opportunities.
The first time I met her I knew she was a special person with incredible abilities and gifts. Through the last years I have watched her (with a little help from her friends) overcome incredible obstacles and move towards her purpose. And what she shares in her stories is only the tip of the iceberg. Through it all she soldiers on. I have been privileged to be the one to give her a little poke or word of encouragement on occasion.
This kind of opportunity is both earned and an incredible gift.
I look forward to seeing the finished product!
Go Donna go!
-grampa dan
-------------------- Dan Sawatzky Imagination Corporation Yarrow, British Columbia dan@imaginationcorporation.com http://www.imaginationcorporation.com
Being a grampa is one of the the most wonderful things in the world!!! Posts: 8739 | From: Yarrow, B.C. Canada | Registered: Nov 1998
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Donna, I'm ecstatic for you. This is the most wonderful opportunity - your talent is incredible! So happy for you!! Spread your wings girl... and fly... ! ! !
-------------------- Lori Wilcox Tabby Ink Hinton, Alberta Canada Ph 780-865-4305 Posts: 306 | From: Hinton, Alberta, Canada | Registered: Aug 2007
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Donna, you have worked hard to overcome some difficult times over the years. I am so happy for you!! Gongratulations and continue to work at proving your love of your "hobby".
-------------------- Dave Grundy retired in Chelem,Yucatan,Mexico/Hensall,Ontario,Canada 1-519-262-3651 Canada 011-52-1-999-102-2923 Mexico cell 1-226-785-8957 Canada/Mexico home
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Seems a lot can happen in a day or so, haven't logged on here since Friday... Well Donna, there's a saying.. "Be careful what you wish for.." Congratulations and all the best with this new Journey.
-------------------- "Keep Positive"
SIGNS1st. Neil Butler Paradise, NF Posts: 6277 | From: St. John's NF Canada | Registered: Mar 1999
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What a fantastic story. Donna I love reading your posts and watching your journey unfold. Your work also simply baffles me on how you put it all together.
As many here have said, it couldn't have happened to a better person. Congrats and enjoy your next journey.
-------------------- Bob Rochon Creative Signworks Millbury, MA 508-865-7330
"Life is Like an Echo, what you put out, comes back to you." Posts: 5149 | From: Millbury, Mass. U.S. | Registered: Nov 1998
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Well Donna, I'm not at all surprised. I could tell back a few years ago that you had what it took. You picked yourself up from a hard time, dusted yourself off and figured out what you wanted out of life. There are dreamers and there are doers...you totally willed your good fortune with your talent and perseverance. Embrace everything good the universe is sending your way! Congratulations, I'm very excited for you!!! I kinda expect(no pressure though...lol)....an HGTV/DIY show in the future...if you want it that is......you certainly could pull it off!
-------------------- Karyn Bush Simply Not Ordinary, LLC Bartlett, NH 603-383-9955 www.snosigns.com info@snosigns.com Posts: 3516 | From: Bartlett, NH USA | Registered: Jan 2001
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Wow... just plain wow. I love a great success story and there's no one deserving more than you. Good luck with the book deal. Great things will continue for you I'm sure.
-------------------- Dave Sherby "Sandman" SherWood Sign & Graphic Design Crystal Falls, MI 49920 906-875-6201 sherwoodsign@sbcglobal.net Posts: 5400 | From: Crystal Falls, MI USA | Registered: Apr 1999
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Well, how cool is that?!?!?! Congrats Donna!
-------------------- Kimberly Zanetti Purcell www.amethystProductivity.com Folsom, CA email: Kimberly@AmethystProductivity.com
“Organizing is what you do before you do something, so that when you do it, it is not all mixed up.” AA Milne Posts: 3722 | From: Folsom, CA | Registered: Dec 2001
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Wow, thanks so much everyone! Your kudos and support mean more to me than you'll ever know.
I've since come back to earth and the whole idea seems a little surreal at the moment. However like a good DIYer, I pulled out some reclaimed old palette wood and started building a new project today. To think I may actually get paid for a photo shoot and tutorial made me burst with some major pride today. Talk about surreal...
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