My Thoughts at 79!

What an agonizing ambition to write and publish a book—a real book!

I get jealous of those who have their writings published without so much rigidity and in orderly sequence I suppose. Look at what I learned from the lecture on “how to write and publish a book:”
Parts of a book— flyleaf;
half-title page;
verso or half title page;
title page;
copy write page;
dedication;
forward;
preface;
acknowledgments;
 table of contents;
list of illustrations;
introduction [optional].

Can you imagine how distressful it is for me having to get a foreword by a  professional critic? Why was I not able to befriend the editor of the New York Times or Ian Critchley of The Times or Jake Kerridge, Daily Telegraph who had a good review of President Obama’s autobiography entitled, Dreams From My Father? Our lecturer lectured hard on us that an autobiography is not marketable unless you are a movie star or a celebrity.

Would you believe that my intended book for publication is sort of bordering on this category with a title “Romancing The Lighthouse” prefacing it with “A Little Girl Who Once Lived By The Lighthouse”? Read on later as I describe to you some teasers of this beautiful story of the youngest ever lighthouse keeper of our time. I, of course, am not a movie star, or a celebrity of some sort and got warned that attempts to do so will not lead to a “super” marketability of the book or gain a comfortable profit to allow me even fulfill what I have listed in my bucket list. I get cold feet every time I think of these warnings, however, as a consolation, I remember the lecturer quoting big time authors who have tasted rejections like Auntie Mamie – 17 times; Jonathan Livingston Seagull – 18; Kon-Tiki – 20 ; Peyton Place – 24 …. And imagine “Gone With The Wind” almost never got published.

Going back to my anguished state as a “pretend book author” (liken to pretender to the throne saying) I hope that this book “Romancing The Lighthouse” my first book will be followed by my second book “Romancing Donsol.” …. You know that Donsol is the world’s capital of the gentle whale sharks. How I admire those who were taken under the wings of the Blue Mountain,Inc. publication. I wish to tell you that your books are quite popular in this side of the earth and that I’v e been gifted by my grandchildren, children, friends, on many occasions—birthdays, anniversaries, or just saying hellos. These books will I treasure along with my favorite collections at my age of  79! and beyond the limits of man’s existence like Methuselah.  Now some teasers of  “Romancing The Lighthouse”….

come enter the world of this little girl who lived by the lighthouse – the youngest lighthouse keeper ever in the country’s history …. be shocked about the terror of the war  years(WWII) in this tiny unknown town vividly told in shocking colors: the river turning into crimson red when dozens and  dozens of heads roll in cruel death; be absorbed in the magic of the landmarks that sometimes seem a blown up cinematic production; be enthralled by the 18th century church enshrouded in mystery that can only be revealed by its townfolks ;  be  curious and wonder about  unknown pieces of history in untold historical value; let your interest be spiced with these three lovable persons: Tuna, Niado and Mino who are normally challenged and unknowingly break the monotony of  a drab life of  townfolks around by their colorful being;  be the first to unlock  why the little girl is “semi-obsessed” with the lighthouse or “parola”.


Note:
To my children:  say something about my literary  madness which I intend as a passage to earn my “bragging right” as a writer of note. This bragging right thing is Miggy’s term.