Thanks for listening...

My live is taking turns in the right direction.

I have been wanting to write a book for a few years. My goal was to produce 200 to 400 copies.

I kept working- so I could pay for the printing... and never seemed to make it.

The book is about a 19th century character. He was in convict Australia, whaling, mining in California. He was always on the move.

I had done all the research. Ready to write.But the goal was too far out.

The gentleman had written three books in his time- which were interesting and entertaining. No need to repeat those. He had a bad reputation- which I didn't believe was justified.

He was no arm-chair writer.

In my life too- a lot of people would not believe what i had done and seen.

I have a sponsor over in Australia. The great-grandson of my hero.

He is getting a lot older- and I was rushing to get the darned thing finished.

We bought  a new printer this year. Black and white only- all the bells and whistles. it would be easy for me to just "pull the handle" and create copies of my own.

This is a scholarly work- with heaps of references and annotations. To give to our museum and the local library. I have a proven readership of three or four people.

And one for my family to keep.

I kick myself for taking so long- for the penny to drop.

Just as easy for me to print out a few copies and "bob's your uncle!"

So I have takeoff- doing finishing touches to my research- and already getting into the script.

I have had to teach myself editing skills. I may have to get someone to proof read it- to winkle out the spell-check glitches...

hmmm just setting my sights too high.

I know my work is up to a high academic standard. I initially presented a conference paper on my topic a few years ago. My friend and colleague, who has a PhD, was surprised to see a fruit picker come up with a paper- but there you go...

...a couple of years ago he rocked up here to host a conference, and bought his mother along to help him run it!

OMG! I had to step in and help them-poor things.

I got the whole family history from mum... but we three got on like a hour on fire.

It was a successful conference.

One thing I learned was that they were into visiting goldmines and industrial ruins. Not into the sort of work I was doing.

I could have wasted a lot of time and money getting along to more conferences.

We do live and learn. 

 -D.