Okay - So the meeting with the National Association of Professional Women was by far the most rewarding experience on this roller coaster to date. First off, let me say that the meeting was comprised of some amazing, talented, wonderful people. There was my friend Richard Perque who is running for Traffic Court Judge here in New Orleans, a woman running for the Sheriff of Orleans Parish, a man who work at Saks Fifth Avenue, an Assistant Dean, and so many other professional, experienced people. Even the creators of What the Sleepy Animals Do at the Audubon Zoo were in attendance.
Having the opportunity to discuss my process and progress to date felt great, but the feedback was especially appreciated. Regarding the cover: we all agreed there is room for much improvement. The recommendations were to find a freelance artist to help me. I know I have been trying to do this on the cheap and on the fly, but paying someone to help me with the creative end is more likely the necessary thing. At first, they recommended stock-art (I think that is what it is called). Stock photography. Basically, there are these online services that will sell you a downloadable image. They have lots of them. For anywhere from $50 to $150, you can purchase an image. But I don't know what file size I need or how to make the changes necessary. At least now, I will have a graphic artist who can figure that all out for me while I focus on the content. I also want them to figure out how to get the words exactly down the spine. Again, something I do not feel like dealing with.
This leads to the next best thing out of that meeting. The Assistant Dean recommended I give the book to a Community Property Professor at her institution. I thought that was a great idea, but I actually gave her a free copy of the book and asked her to deliver it. And...she did. She actually dropped it off and the professor actually read it. We scheduled a meeting. It was amazing advice. She said, "It lacks connectivity." In other words, the advice was strong, but if I were to outline the content, I would be see where improvements could be made. She said it is especially true where there is brevity. For example, when I discuss someone being married to another person at the time of the second marriage, that is not a very common problem. It is frankly very rare, but should I gloss over it? Not really. That was an area she thought could be improved.
Her recommendation was to re-outline the entire thing. Absolute genius. Throughout my education, I was taught to outline my content prior to writing, not to write the content and then outline it. That was one item I was able to really jump into and the issues simply pop off the page to me. It is simply a refreshing perspective for the original writer. It has opened my eyes and I feel very rejuvenated!
Let's get this work improved! I simply have to time-manage again. I have to actually take this advice and move forward. It is going to take some work...
CC
