So what are galleys, you ask? Well, this is the author’s last chance to go through a book and catch any errors which might have slipped past. When a book is contracted, it goes through numerous people after that initial reading. Besides the author, you have the editor, a copy editor and one or two others. Still, the author is given one last shot to fix anything before it goes to print.

Galleys are a little nerve wracking because you have to read the entire book very carefully. In “Promise for Tomorrow”, I caught my first error in the first line of the first paragraph of the first chapter. How sad is that? It was very minor, but still —

I’m only up to page 70 and have over 200 to go before the 11th of April if I want to keep my release date of September 30th. A pretty good incentive, IMO.

It’s a way a viewing what cancer is. A shadow that hides within your body. You know its there, you know it will always be there. And it’s a shadow that is always at the back of your mind. Its human nature. You can’t help it.

However, you can control how much you stress over it. Worry is not going to do you or your recovery any good. Its just a vicious cycle. You have cancer, you know its serious and potentially life threatening. Blood pressure goes up and you become more and more anxious. Very detrimental to your general health.

There are things you can do to control your stress. You can do what I do and not think about it. I’ve learned long ago to put cancer out of my mind. It’s always there, and I take it out periodically to examine it, but I do not let cancer control my life. You can practice yoga, or learn meditation techniques. Anything that will relax you and allow you to get a handle on your emotions.

I don’t know about you, but I have things to do, people to see, places to go. I am NOT going to let my condition get in the way of living. And you shouldn’t either.

And remember to repeat after me …“YOU ARE A CANCER WINNER”

Just a quick note to mention that my second book signing went extremely well. Didn’t sell out this time, but there were only three books left. Both the bookstore and myself are very pleased. The manager asked me what I did to announce it and I told her to have future authors send out invitations. Announce to family and friends that you’re having a book signing and hopefully a few of them will have the time to drop in. LOL. I find the whole experience very enjoyable.

Right now I’ve been trying to do some reading … just for the enjoyment of it. Sure, as a writer I purchase books constantly, but when do I have the time to read them? I have a ton of books waiting to be read. But I do need to remind myself that as a writer, I do need to recharge the batteries with reading. The market is constantly changing and I need to keep up with it. Besides, its just plain relaxing to read for the pleasure of it.

I also just received the galleys for my second book. Gotta get that done by the 11th of April in order to get this book lined up for the print release at the end of September. Excitin’ stuff.

At my last appointment with Dr. D, he ordered a CT Scan to be done before my next visit (which will be at the end of the month). Now, I’ve had scans up the yin-yang for the past six years, so this one should be fairly routine. But there is always that question which lurks at the back of my mind. “Why?”.

Did he see something at that last appointment that makes him suspect that the cancer might be stirring? Don’t know. Sure, my numbers rose a little bit but the difference was minuscule, so he didn’t appear concerned with that.

Should I be worried? Maybe.

Am I? Nope.

I’ve learned long ago that worrying doesn’t do any good. At this point there isn’t anything I can do about it. I’ll know soon enough. Then I’ll deal with it.

So, being the good little patient that I am, I’ll be trotting off this morning for a CT Scan. For those who have never gone through a CT scan, it’s a very simple process. You get to endure an hour of drinking that nasty lemonade cocktail and getting the needle … ick. (After all these years, I still don’t like needles.) They have to hook you up for the iodine dye used for the contrast. The scan itself is nothing. The hardest thing I have to do is lie still. Hell, half the time, I fall into a semi-sleep. If you’re claustrophobic, getting eased into the donut circle might make you a little anxious, but you would get talked through it. I’m not claustrophobic, so this is no problem for me. The test itself is over within a few minutes … ten tops.

So, the next time you’re scheduled for a scan … relax. Its an important tool for your treatment. Inconvenient? Sure. I have to take time off of work to get this done, but it’s a small price to pay to make sure everything is on an even keel.

And remember to repeat after me …“YOU ARE A CANCER WINNER”

Here in Wisconsin, our RWA chapter has a meeting every third Saturday. I look forward to attending these monthly get togethers. This gives you a chance to catch up on what everyone is doing, progress on a WIP and to share those small victories and milestones. We start out with going around the room and giving a report on our past month. No one is ever made to feel bad if a goal isn’t met or progress is not made. This is just an opportunity to share.

We then take a break and afterwards we sometimes have a member give a talk or demonstration … always writing related, of course. It might be about doing promotion, blogging or craft related.

This is a connection that a lot of writers need. I’ve been a member of WisRWA for about six or seven years now and I’ve seen (and heard) some interesting things. There are writers who have gone on to publication, on to new contracts, and those who have dropped out … for whatever reason. But the thing we seem to have in common is the determination to write. Maybe not necessarily for publication (although after all this work, why wouldn’t you?) but because we have a compelling need to write.

If you’re a member of RWA, I would highly recommend seeking out a local chapter to join. I’ve heard on the loops that some members are just too far away from the nearest group to attend meetings. Well, they you find an on-line chapter like FF&P, GIAM or any number of other groups. Just to get that connection with other writers. Its well worth it.