Happy to have found a great church body, Ocean Church. With permission, I am referencing and analyzing their church mission statement in THE BOOK OF JAMES and applying some of the points from various messages. Just last night (Genesis 45.3-8), which applies so clearly to the book:

1. Form your character to be rightly ordered like God’s
2. God’s power is bigger than our mistakes
3. Set your course to be faithful
4. God determines the direction of our lives; you determine how far you go.

Also saw Sunshine last night. She is my dear friend and offered to be a proofreader of the manuscript for us. Happy, also, to speak to another dear friend, Pastor Kyle. He said he would give an endorsement of the book. That’s called belief, baby. Trusting things to fall into place. Working on chapter division, at this point figuring to have 27.

Wonderful week, wonderfu day, especially. Thought the first several drafts of THE BOOK OF JAMES: THE LIFE, BRAIN INJURY, AND LEGACY OF JAMES CLARY, JR. were good. Not a bit, I am finding as I have been spending 5-8 hours a day editing and revising. My friends at McDonald’s know me well, me and my Diet Coke ($1.07) nearly every morning. Time gets away as you’re doing stuff. Often the managers and workers come over and want to chat with me. In my mind, I’m like ‘Not now….I’ve got a good thought in my head.’ By the chance we’ve visited, it may be gone. Sometimes forget, sometimes remember. Am putting that McDonald’s in the Acknowledgments section, my fabulous friends. Wilbert had fun one day playing catch with the football with me on the way out. Couldn’t believe one-handed man could do it. What up, Wilbert? This book is almost going to be bigger than life. Taking a lot of work. Want to do James, my beloved and late friend, and his parents, Jim and Debby, proud. One day we’ll get it. Got ahold of another sweet friend that made me the offer of a lifetime. I met Yeniley Garcia. This young lady offered to be a proofreader of the manuscript in the upcoming months, or years. I believe she also will help determine which publisher to use. We want the most exposure for the book to spread the word, the dual message we wish to proclaim. The social media component is huge, glad for her input. Sometimes days end on a high note. This would be one of them. The words I long to hear in 45 minutes: “Welcome to Applebees.”

Exhilarating experiences with Jim and Debby Clary in Sacramento. Precious time and interviews with them and many of their family members. Besides their input to the book and direction of the manuscript, I am equally grateful to Lukas and Summer, James’ brother and sister-in-law. I have grown so close to the Clary family, so blessed. Wonderful during an off-day there to golf with Jim at Lake Tahoe. An experience of a lifetime.

Happy to report the manuscript has developed into twenty seven chapters. Editing, plus chapter development, would be the name of the game right now. “He who hesitates is poor,” and “You can’t steal second base with your foot still on first,” and “Progress involves risks,” three quotes I learned in high school, which would apply. It is taking gumption, eliciting feelings. This is evoking a lot of emotions from us all as we compose, read, and edit. Do pray, please, for my beloved friends: recently overwhelmed by another loss in the family.

So, “The Book of James: The Brain Injury, Life, and Legacy of James Clary, Jr.,” does not figure to be small. Currently 465 typewritten pages. Proud to be a part of this expose’ on brain injury juxtaposed to real life and marital (dis)harmony. Happy to have two publishers interested in the project. A lot to do but we’re getting there.

A really busy week just concluded. Must thank my editor for the kind words throughout the week. Thoughts for the manuscript coming at all hours, so I get up and write them down. Think I’ve got a good handle on things when I meet with the editor soon. Happy to have gotten business cards to help spread the word about this project. Kind of thinking we’ll have it done before three years, as the last one took. Also, glad to have discovered about another writing contract I’d had. My first publisher contacting me also.

Lettuce begin at lettucewrite. Lettuce see what a fine day. Well, the work has just begun. Printed out the first draft/manuscript of The Book of James. Took some time. Had to run and get more toner for my printer and more paper. It is 250 pages typewritten. Added 50 more pages, copied and pasted from another manuscript. Let the editing begin. Step one of 49 complete

Spoke to my editor yesterday, pleased with how things are coming along. So glad no definite time line or deadlines, but making the most of the time. Am spending well over half of my days contemplating the manuscript, continuously notating new thoughts and ideas as they come to mind, and communicating with Debby, James’ mother, my editor, and dear friend Madeline. Which brings up a thought I just had:  ‘You don’t know how valuable or invaluable you can be in any given situation at any moment. You are continuously shaping others’ perception of you in all you do.’ Wow, should’ve been a writer, or speaker. Maybe down the road. I’m thankful for friends and I’m thankful for Jesus.

Feels so good to be involved in this writing project, THE BOOK OF JAMES. Still saddening the predicament of my friend and the grief of his parents. It is a touching experience and blessed time to be alive. Continue to pray for Jim and Debby, his parents.

Plugging away on the manuscript. Thankful for the help and direction of my editor. Later we will really dig into it comprehensively. Happy to receive a text yesterday from Debby. Sounds like she is faring better. Wonderful lunch with my pastor from Ocean church today. TY Pastor Josh! So, things coming along. The typewritten book currently 179 pages, 39,000 words. Believe brighter days are coming.

Had a blast night till 2 a.m. Thoughts kept coming, so I kept writing. So so tired, I was able to sleep 6 hours! Very refreshed. A lot of good ideas at McDonald’s before an appointment this morning, glad to be taking my notebook everywhere. Ended up developing some potential chapter titles last night. TBD. Got my desk cleaned up today and most of the papers organized.

Busy, busy day. A lot of thinking, a lot of ideas, a lot of writing. Invaluable to be texting back and forth between my dear friend and editor and also the contributor, the mother of the son we’re writing about. Could not do this without them. Thankful six eyes are on the team. Think at last count, in its first draft being created, we’re at 150 pages and 34,000 words. (I believe my debut book was something like 23,000 words.) But that is WITHOUT James’ mother, Debby, having giving me too much information yet. So a lot of editing and additions down the road. Looking forward to meeting them soon. Many big stages in book production: researching, composing, editing, verifying and confirming EVERY source (as with all books, one chance to get it right), submission, copyright permission, brief/basic editorial review from the publishing staff, resubmission, creating the book cover, publisher sample book to us, one last check of the manuscript, authorization for the release of the final product, creation of a book trailer YouTube video, learning how to access the social media package, potentially creating a website for the Clary’s. So….a long road ahead. Glad we are excited and motivated and committed to turning my friend’s life into a story….who said movie? The sky is the limit.