Tiger Tail Soup is almost ready for publication.
Earlier this week my publisher sent me what they call “First Pass Pages.” That means that my novel is almost ready to be printed. All I have to do now is go through it one more time in case there’s something we missed–a typo or maybe a misplaced word. The expectation is that at this late date, problems will be few and far between. Almost nonexistent.
So I sit down at my computer and read. Before long, I encounter problem number one. I want to rewrite. Even though the novel is finished and I’m satisfied with it, I see small changes I could make–a word here, a phrase there. But no, I tell myself. Stop fiddling with it.
So I read on, and after a while I encounter problem number two. I become lost in my own story. Strange to say, even though I know the story well, it still pulls me in. I’m afraid I’m not watching closely enough for commas and typos. So I sit back, take a breath, and read that page again.
It’s nighttime now, and I’ve read more than half the pages. When I finish, I’ll tell the publisher what I found. Then we’ll work together on the cover. Oh, my!
Paintings in a trunk
Before I even thought of writing Tiger Tail Soup, I painted some pictures related to the story.
At the top of the page you can see the painting that hangs in my dining room. It depicts a pair of tigers that wandered down from the mountains, swam across to Amoy, and were eventually killed and eaten–the choice cuts, by the Japanese soldiers who occupied Amoy; the leftovers, by the Chinese.
But there were other painting I’d forgotten. I found them last week, rolled up in a trunk in my basement. Here are two of them.
Ah Chew eating tiger tail soup
Ah Chew with goats
This is incredible! Congrats!
Thank you, Grace.
I am so excited to read your book. Loved reading your Archives. You have so much to tell of your life experiences. (From your neighbor a few door up)
Thank you, Jeri. In about a week or so I should receive a box of books. Then I have to plan a book party at the clubhouse.
what an exciting event in your life. i’ll be sure and read it.
Thanks, Donna.
Hi Nicki:
That is wonderful news for you. I’m also wanting to get a copy of your book so be sure to keep us posted when it will be available. I love your stories.
Hi Rita. Yes, I’ll be sure to let you know when my book is available.
Fantastic paintings, Nicki. And exciting news. 😀
This must be so exciting for you, Nicky. The illustrations are gorgeous. Does it mean that your novel will be illustrated?
No, Evelyne, my novel won’t be illustrated. When I painted those, I was thinking of writing a children’s book.
How exciting! That’s something I thought about recently – is there ever a time a writer will think a passage is perfect and doesn’t need to be changed anymore? This must be a hard decision, deciding when you’ve worked enough on the text. Looking forward to reading your book, I’m sure it will be written beautifully. Will it also be available as an ebook some time in the future? I do like hard copies, but with all the moving I have refrained from buying too many hard copies (still have a few boxes of books at my mother’s place).
Yes, Ruth. Tiger Tail Soup will be available not only as a paperback but also as an ebook.
How exciting for you! Can’t wait until it’s ready to the public!
It won’t be long now–another one and a half or two months.
I, too, see how you might want to “tweak” your final copy, Nikki. Is anything EVER perfect enough??!! No, probably not, but I will look forward to reading your book, too. I will get a (signed, please) copy for my husband LaMont, your fellow classmate, for a belated Valentine’s Day.gift. I am always late for everything–after 50 years, he’s used to it!!
Definitely, Barb. When it comes out, I’ll sign a copy for LaMont.
Hi Nicki, I can see your two dilemmas as you go back through your book. I can’t wait to have my own copy and read it through! Love these paintings too. You’re a very talented woman!
Thanks, Maureen. I should be able to sign a copy for you in about another month and a half.
Those are great pictures! Are you going to be able to put them in the book? I love your drawings and paintings.
Sorry, Christine. I think it’s too late to add pictures to my book.
I know exactly what you mean about wanting to rewrite your ‘finished’ book. We authors love to pick at words and muse about images. Luckily publishers help us find contentment long enough to wrench the manuscript from our hands and create the book.
Congrats, Nicki. Your book promises to be an exciting story!
Yes, Paddy. There comes a time when revisions must cease.
Congrats, Nicki! What an amazing feat to write a book! Kudos to you and I hope to one day read your masterpiece!!
P.S: I know how it is. Sometimes I read blog entries published several months before only to find spelling and grammar mistakes! Good luck perfecting your book!
Thanks, Constance. Isn’t it nice for us that blog entries can be corrected even after they’ve been published?
Congratulations!
Thanks, Matt.