Monday 16 April 2012

Book Update

Okay folks, it is time I surfaced for a little while, at least long enough to give you an update on why I have been so quiet recently. I has been about three weeks since my last post and that is bad of me. Very bad indeed.

The main reason for my blogging absence is writing of my book. I am way behind schedule now and I have been concentrating on finishing writing the main chapters, which I have now done. Yeah! I went to twenty-seven different states on my USA tour and I have now written a chapter about all of them, from Maine to California. It feels like quite an accomplishment, but I know that I am not there yet. I have yet to write the introduction, the chapter about planning the trip and the final chapter about getting back home.

I was hoping to have everything written before the start of the 2012 riding season, but I have missed that. So it is now flat out to get the last of the words written before I ride to Portugal in seven weeks time. Gulp.

The first round of editing has been done to many of the main chapters, all of the pictures sorted and made ready, most of the maps are drawn, the cover is almost finished and the printer is lined up. I feel the end is in sight, but I am going to keep concentrating on getting everything finished. Publication date is targeted for October 1st and there is a lot to do to achieve this.

So, my blogging friends, I have had to forsake posting new stuff on my blog as well as reading what others have been blogging about. Hopefully, normal service will be resumed soon!

16 comments:

Unknown said...

Gary:

perhaps for your next Tour, you could sponsor the "writing & video" support team, who will also be riding their own bikes along the way. This would free you up for the important stuff, like "posing for photos"

bob
Riding the Wet Coast
My Flickr // My YouTube

Trobairitz said...

YAY, you're getting closer on getting the book done.

I think we are all anxiously awaiting it.

Anonymous said...

I am sure it has been a big undertaking, but it will be worth it. Looking forward to it.

Roger said...

Stop making excuses.....blah blah blah..just get on with it. (you see I can say that cause i am 12000miles away)

Looking forward to reading it over Christmas.

Rex J. Covington said...

No worries, Looking forward to reading the book.

BeemerGirl said...

Let's see...family, riding, writing, blogging, household chores, work...something has to give sometimes. I think you can be forgiven. :)

Keith - Circle Blue said...

Writing is tough work. I'm glad you're taking the time to do it right. There will be time to catch up later. Good luck and keep the pointy side down.
~Keith

SonjaM said...

I agree with Bob, you need staff on your next tour ;-)
I am very much looking forward to your book. Great you take it so seriously. Keep the shiny side up, and please report some progress on your new custom bike.

Canajun said...

Just think, once the book is done you'll have enough material saved up for the next year's worth of blog posts. :-)

Looking forward to the book, so I'm glad to hear it's coming along.

Cheers,

Gary France said...

Bob – A support team sounds like a very good idea....

Trobairitz – That is kind of you to say.

Roger – Okay, I am trying..... Seriously, I had no concept of how long it would take.

Rex – I am glad you are looking forward to it.

BeemerGirl – In addition to those on your list, I am also helping one of my sons set up a business and building a new bike. Nobody told me retirement would be this busy!

Gary France said...

Circle Blue – I like the ‘Keep the pointy side down’ remark. That made me laugh.

Sonja – The new bike should be finished at the end of next week! Rest assured, there will be posts about that.

Canajun – Not quite true, as for the past year I have mainly been writing the book. I do have some long rides coming up though.

BeemerGirl said...

"Nobody told me retirement would be this busy."

Are you sure?? Even though I am no where near retirement that is all I hear from retired friends, how busy they are... :) Now you just don't get paid for it. Hehehe. Enjoy it!

Road Captain said...

make sure to update us when book is ready for advance review or for sale. Looking forward to it.

biker baby said...

Can't wait to see it in print!

VStar Lady said...

Amelia still looks more art than bike -
Not sure about Bob, but I'd volunteer to be support staff next time.
Good luck on the finishing touches, looking forward to it.

Gary France said...

BeemerGirl – I sometimes feel I need to retire from being retired!

Road Captain – I certainly will let the readers of my blog know when the book is ready.

biker baby – Me too. I have tried to imagine what it will be like seeing the book and picking it up for the first time.

VStar Lady – At the moment I agree with you about the art. I have deliberately not shown any pictures so far of the assembled motorcycle for that reason. I did in fact test rode the bike before it was dismantled for painting, and I kept back the whole bike pictures....