T.O.P.'s Tuesday ~ More than writing

Welcome back to the second T.O.P.'s Tuesday blog to keep you updated on Where's Heidi? One Sister's Journey and its progress towards its release (prayerfully) on April 3, 2013. 

We have been very busy over the past week. Today marks my first day back to work. I am blessed to work as a teacher's assistant for MACS. This allows me the luxury of moonlighting as an author and speaker during my evening and weekend hours from September through June. I look forward to getting back to work and seeing my friends and the kids while continuing this new journey of author too. 

Of course it comes with new challenges this year as I juggle being a wife and mom, working full-time, speaking, and writing. In God's strength, all things are possible. I pray to keep my focus, get my rest, and not be moody. (LOL - my family is cracking up at the last one since without rest, focus, and my quiet time I am not the easiest person to be around but none of you probably struggle with this. TeeHee) 

I have returned my manuscript to the editor for the next read through and anticipate it returning mid-September. Someone said, "It must be nice to have your book with the editor because then you don't have anything to do." This is the farthest thing from the truth. I might not be editing, revising, or formatting Where's Heidi? One Sister's Journey for publication but I am still ever so busy. 

While the editor works wonders with my terrible PUGS and tenses, I keep busy on the other tasks necessary for the publication of my first book. 

September 14th, 2012 at 4:30 p.m. everyone is invited to join us at the Heidi Allen Remembrance Garden as my family and I reveal the book cover. 

In order for this to happen, there is a lot of planning, preparation, and work to be done to make this 30 minute (if that) event a success. I'm thankful for those helping to make this thought a reality. I could not do this myself nor would I want to. I have a great team.

In addition to getting ready for the press conference I am prayerfully preparing for two speaking engagements this month. Each are an opportunity for me to share my sister Heidi and my story of hope and healing with others. 

An opportunity to speak is more than just speaking words aloud. I value and treasure each experience and pray to share His message, the one He has given me. This requires time in prayer, study, research, and time to listen. All of which I care to do my best with. Don't we all aim to do our best, especially when it has an eternal perspective?

And this week I return to the classroom, so there is no idle waiting around. I am thankful for the wonderful people I work with and the team of teachers I will work under this year. They are some of the most supportive people a woman could have. We are more than coworkers, we are family.

There is more to publication than just writing ~ there are steps in the process necessary before the words on my computer transition into the book available to you in April 2013. While Alyssa edits, I move on to the next task and cross items off the list while adding new ones. It is a fabulous and fun journey.

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News to report: 
* I finished the suggested edits, revisions, and corrections from my editor. I made a couple additional tweaks as I read through. With a smile and click, it has been returned to the editor for the second read through. So I wait again but not to sit idle.
* Mags and Dad continue to work on the book trailer for the September 14th book cover reveal.
* A press conference is scheduled for Friday, September 14th at the "Heidi Allen Remembrance Garden" at the intersection of Routes 104 and 104b to reveal the cover to my first book.
* Working on the details for the upcoming press conference on 9/14 with the help of Tim (my God appointed PR man) and my family.
* Learned about the value of a "QR Code" so will be creating one of those this week
* Had a fun photo shoot by Mags for upcoming press releases. I might  post the pictures and let everyone vote on your favorite shot. What do you think?
* I continue to schedule speaking engagements for this fall, winter, and even into the spring. God is so good. 
* Oh did I mention I return to work as a teacher's assistant today too? 

About the photo: 
Heidi and I both attended the Mexico Academy and Central Schools for the majority of our school careers. I transferred to Bishop Cunningham for my freshman year of high school and Heidi transferred to Bishop Cunningham for her sophomore year of high school. So when Heidi started to play sports for Bishop Cunningham, her most mentally challenging games were against our home Alma Mater, Mexico. Mags and I found this shot of Heidi bumping the ball in a game that Mexico destroyed Bishop Cunningham in. Go Mexico and Go Bishop Cunningham! Bittersweet.


Photo is courtesy of the Palladium Times, Oswego, New York. Photographer was Mike LaBoeuf