___ooo0ooo___

    Here are some excerpts from  various pages of the book:

"...You have opened my heart toward taking the first step even though I do not
know what will happen after that. It seems to me that if you approve of my
birth parents there must be something good about them.
I already know Molly and I like her. I hope I can say the same thing
about the professor. In the near future, I may be receptive
to sharing with them that ‘special kind of love’ to which you have referred.
I am not an expert with words, but it must be without demands,
subordinate to a superior kind of love–but love nonetheless.”
___ooo0ooo___
"You may argue that I had no other real experience to compare their love with,
but why would I need to compare my state of mind insofar as feeling loved 
when I have never felt the lack of it?"
___ooo0ooo___
"The actions preceding this visit paved the way for a new beginning marked by that
wondrous feeling of FEELING WANTED, a phrase I am borrowing from you ... 
While I had always felt the LOVE of my (adoptive) parents, they also proved that
they WANTED me in their lives. Two different concepts independent in their
values but, when put together, they elevate the meaning of the word
‘love’.”
___ooo0ooo___
From the poem MAKE AMENDS: 
"Uncover the lies, relieve the hurt, be brave before it's too late; tell the 
truth ... let it be! Make amends! And you'll be FOREVER FREE!" 
___ooo0ooo___
"... But my sweetheart was there, eager as I was to share fleeting while unforgettable
moments".
___ooo0ooo___
"...blurted out a new bombshell, quick enough as to keep me prisoner of her
sorrowful confession..."
___ooo0ooo___
"...a passionate kiss equal to no other, or so I eagerly believed..." 
___ooo0ooo___
"Our love affair started somewhat platonic, which gave way to our needing more..."



       
   

   
When my children’s book was finished but still in the editing stages I
decided to go Indie. I still had not mastered all the Microsoft Word/Publisher’s
requirements including how to upload my paintings and drawings (I ended up
mailing the originals) when I saw myself committing to the one publisher. Only
then I realized that I had placed the bull behind the cart: While I was learning
how to reformat my manuscript I was also dealing with choosing full color or
black; cover type, soft or hard; number of pages to determine cost, etc. Too
many things to take care of while trying to properly edit the book time and
again as every other detail and publisher’s instructions changed. Finally, upon
realizing that the retail cost for a soft-cover book would not be competitive I
had to shrink the manuscript to 42 pages in full color. That resulted in more
editing for format, directing my efforts not to content but to looks and
pricing. Realizing that I had missed the Christmas/Holidays Season I cancelled
the Publisher’s promotion. Regardless of the rushed-out process, I do like my
book since it was written with children in mind plus also with an added section
in the back promoting the love and appreciation of all animals, domestic or
wild. 
   I have now completed a General Fiction Young Adult story; there being so many
other activities in one’s life, this new book has been put aside on and off for days
on end. When trying to do the final editing, one whole day must be made available for
that purpose. Unless one edits sort of non-stop, any duplication of words,
sentences or sayings might be overlooked. I also find that at least one week
must pass before attempting the final editing to allow for a clear mind. Even then, 
as an artist-writer, I never consider anything finished, I can always find a better
way to say things or to improve my artwork. But, don't we all . . .?

   The tribulations of publishing my first book were not suffered in vein. I have slowed
down the process to where I will do all the homework first before attempting to have my
second book published.