We wrote a book! After three and a half years, our book is being published! It was a hard and rocky journey with setbacks and many lessons learned along the way.  In the end, I would not change the journey.  We are just everyday people who are proof that you can accomplish whatever you set your mind to.

Background

I have known Marty Huitt, the other author, for about 15 years. She is the Director of the BIST Team in KC.  She has led and grown this team for over 20 years, and it was past time for her to write all of her knowledge down in one place.  So, I told her I would help her write a book.  This was in Aug 2020 during COVID.  I told her we would be finished by that December! Boy, was I wrong! (The book is about supporting children behaviorally through the concepts of Grace and Accountability).

Journey

Marty is the content of the book, I am the coach, cheerleader, critic, editor, etc.  We wrote every word together over zoom.  The first couple chapters were a breeze, then reality set in.  Writing ideas down in a clear, concise manner is hard.  On some days when we wrote, we had to grind out the words and concepts.  After exhausting our minds, we were overwhelmed and not happy with the outcome.   Then, the next time we would reread, rewrite, and the clarity would come.  We were proud of another paragraph or concept.  This process went on for over two years. Towards the end of writing we had my sister Dawn, a retired Kindergarten teacher, read it to ensure it was clear and understandable. Then it was time to find a publisher and work with them on fine tuning and editing the book.

There are many phases to whatever journey you are on.  As we know, there are highs and lows, joys and failures, setbacks, and leaps forward.  A list of traits come to mind.  Words like persistence, perseverance, determination, intention, and staying power are needed for our treks through life. The greatest trait is belief.  Believe in yourself that you CAN accomplish whatever you set your mind to.