Glenda's Book Update #11

December 2006

Greetings,

I am nibbling on shortbread as I write this newsletter. Shortbread fingers, mincemeat squares and Mandarin oranges are tasty memories from childhood Christmases. In January, I diet!

The arrival of 500 copies of I’ll Do It Myself (and 50 large-print editions) was duly celebrated! Although an intimate gathering, books were flying out of the box. It was great to see my dream so well received. I have since received awesome emails from people who have already finished reading their copies. Thank you!

Books are still available for ordering at www.BooksbyGlenda.com. As Canada Post is extremely backed up with the holiday season, I will pop new orders into the mail after Christmas. PayPal is being used to take orders, however you do not need a PayPal account to place an order – simply have your credit card ready. I also gladly accept cheques and money orders. Please email me at Glenda@BooksbyGlenda.com if you have any questions.

Relaxing, rejoicing and recharging are on my schedule for the next week or so. I will be back at my desk in early January, planning for an exciting 2007!

In the meantime, have a wonderful Christmas, Hanukkah and holiday season! I wish you and your family all the best in the New Year!

Warmly,
Glenda

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Book Excerpt:

Sadly, my Grandma passed away a few years ago, before seeing any parts of my book. Knowing her love for reading and how she was an avid supporter of “made in Canada“, I would like to think she would have been proud and tickled pink in knowing her granddaughter had written and self-published a book, and that it now will be preserved as part of Canada’s heritage in Library and Archives Canada.

With the Christmas season upon us, I would like to share one of my fondest Christmas memories as this month’s brief book excerpt. This one is for you, Grandma!

Grandma joined us for our first white Christmas in the Cariboo, which was definitely a welcomed change from the green Christmases we had down on the coast. Christmas was more joyful than it had been in the past few years, as was evident by the few more gifts under the tree. Grandma was like an excited, small child with twinkling eyes as she opened her first-ever Christmas stocking; she had never had a stocking as a child. Considering that she had always contributed white, tissue-wrapped surprises to our stockings, it was extra special to give that first to her.

Given Grandma’s love of the English language, we played Dictionary while sitting around the kitchen table. She laughed and laughed at the word titmouse. She had such an infectious laugh. This was the second most memorable Christmas we shared together as a family, the first being the one spent at the Forbidden Plateau Lodge on Vancouver Island.

Readers' Corner:

Here is your opportunity to ask me questions about living with a disability, how to possibly adapt something to make it accessible, writing a book, or almost anything. So, go ahead, ask me a question! If you have read I’ll Do It Myself and have a question or two, ask me. Send your questions to questions@BooksbyGlenda.com.

'”How long did it take to write the big book with just her left thumb? Wasn't her thumb getting tired?"
~ from my friend’s Shona’s children: AJ, Daniel and Neil-Andrew

I wrote my book in three or four years, perhaps longer, amidst doing my other work. A good writing session for me is one page, roughly 500 words, which takes me an hour to plunk out with my left thumb, assuming my Muse is whispering in my ear. Typically, I mull over the piece in my head for quite a while first; once the words are flowing in my head, then I dash for my keyboard and start typing. My sweet husband Darrell knows to leave me alone at that point!

Visit my blog to see the specific equipment I use when typing. I think I will need to add another photo to that post as I have actually worn through the fake wood covering on my desk and am down to the bare particleboard from my fingers gliding over it so much. Do you think that is covered under normal wear and tear?