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The Most Exciting Blank Stare Ever

Today, I’ll head down to Florida to spend time with my grandma, parents, brothers, sister-in-law, nephews, and aunt.

But before I could leave, I knew I had a deadline to meet: Formatting the interior of my book so it can go to the printer. We were going to hire someone to do this, but changed our minds over this past weekend. I mean, how hard could it be? I would have three whole days to figure it out …

Monday: I giggled like a Bennet sister in Pride and Prejudice, I was so happy. While I did drop a nasty word or two, the day went surprisingly well (thanks to Jerimiah’s help). My manuscript was starting to look like a real book.

Tuesday: My giggles segued into yawns. Polishing endnotes is tedious work.

Wednesday: In print books, I always took for granted little things like page numbers, different chapter title headers, and blank pages. Nobody starts a chapter on a verso (the name for left-hand pages). All I wanted was one teeny-tiny-little blank page. Was it really too much to ask for?

Yes.

Tron, no longer in the game realm, was reprogrammed and sabotaging my every move. I wanted to teleport to the Grid and rip out his evil circuits with my bare hands. Instead, the walls of my house witnessed my disgrace. Shameful words flew, as did my notebook. Had I not been worried about making holes in the drywall, I would’ve slammed my head into it repeatedly. Jerimiah came home from a long day of work and was forced to go into problem-solving mode.

Finally, around 8 pm, the first blank page stared at me. Never before had I seen such beauty in nothing. The rest is late-night history.

So if you’ll excuse me, I need to go pack for my date to see these cuties later today.

Oh, and the rest of my family too. 🙂 Happy Thursday everyone!

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  1. Ah, formatting. It can be torture when technology works against you. I totally understand. Verso, recto, “insert page break,” “align to outside corner.” It can be music or a cacophony. I’m so proud of you for making it through!

    • beth

      Thanks Halee! 🙂

  2. Kathy

    I’m SOOO glad you made it through to the other side! The trip to Florida just would NOT have been the same without our sweet Beth…author extraordinaire!! And I appreciated your help through my own little tantrum 😉 Love you!

    • beth

      Knowing I would get to see you guys shortly was about the only thing keeping me on task. Thanks for the motivation! And I’m glad I could help. 😉 Love you too!

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