A LONG JOURNEY
When I started this project, 6 years ago, I thought to myself, "How hard can this be?" The books were already written, and all I had to do was get them republished. Easier said than done!! I had retired from my teaching career and had nothing but time. It took more than time! I had to learn my way around the publishing business, learn a computer skills, navigate the internet, and try to decide which advice was right for me. Then, after making many mistakes, I had to go through the process again!
What I didn't allow for was the emotional road I would also travel. I would be in the middle of typing, and all of a sudden, memories would come flooding back. It took me some time to process all this. I guess you could say that I was often side tracked from my main purpose! We also started going to car shows to sell books, t shirts and posters.
That was a totally new experience for me. I wasn't interested in cars when I was growing up, and actually may have avoided the car scene simply because my dad was so connected to it. That old parent/child relationship, and trying to distance yourself so you can be your own person, nothing like your parents. (Until the day you hear your parents' words coming right out of your own mouth, or you look in the mirror and wonder when you started looking just like your mother.)
The car shows were an eye opener, as I met fan after fan, all of whom had a story to share. I have heard the best stories, had people recite from the books they hadn't seen for 30 years, had people tell me how my dad had taught them to drive, or saved their life with his cautionary tales, and I have even had people cry. Those old memories are tucked away in our heads, but just seeing the covers of the old books has brought long lost memories to the forefront.
I never grow tired of hearing a story. I love that Dad made such an impression on so many people. I will use this blog to share some of the great emails and stories I've heard. And if you have something you would like to share....memories, photos, whatever....please contact me! I would love to hear from you!!
Meanwhile, the books are done, and ready to go. They are available online on this site, eBay, at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Abe Books, and Alibris. If you don't want to fork over $1000 (yes, that's right) for an original hard back copy of Hot Rod, then you can get the entire newly designed set for under $100.
This journey is now completed, but has only led me down a new path. I'm currently working on his "Letters" series of a father's advice to a son. After that, I will go back to start on his other books. It makes me feel so good to be able to share these stories again. He would be so pleased to know that readers still care!
What I didn't allow for was the emotional road I would also travel. I would be in the middle of typing, and all of a sudden, memories would come flooding back. It took me some time to process all this. I guess you could say that I was often side tracked from my main purpose! We also started going to car shows to sell books, t shirts and posters.
That was a totally new experience for me. I wasn't interested in cars when I was growing up, and actually may have avoided the car scene simply because my dad was so connected to it. That old parent/child relationship, and trying to distance yourself so you can be your own person, nothing like your parents. (Until the day you hear your parents' words coming right out of your own mouth, or you look in the mirror and wonder when you started looking just like your mother.)
The car shows were an eye opener, as I met fan after fan, all of whom had a story to share. I have heard the best stories, had people recite from the books they hadn't seen for 30 years, had people tell me how my dad had taught them to drive, or saved their life with his cautionary tales, and I have even had people cry. Those old memories are tucked away in our heads, but just seeing the covers of the old books has brought long lost memories to the forefront.
I never grow tired of hearing a story. I love that Dad made such an impression on so many people. I will use this blog to share some of the great emails and stories I've heard. And if you have something you would like to share....memories, photos, whatever....please contact me! I would love to hear from you!!
Meanwhile, the books are done, and ready to go. They are available online on this site, eBay, at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Abe Books, and Alibris. If you don't want to fork over $1000 (yes, that's right) for an original hard back copy of Hot Rod, then you can get the entire newly designed set for under $100.
This journey is now completed, but has only led me down a new path. I'm currently working on his "Letters" series of a father's advice to a son. After that, I will go back to start on his other books. It makes me feel so good to be able to share these stories again. He would be so pleased to know that readers still care!
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