Feeling a bit bookish

... feeling a bit bookish
Do you remember the post, The Quiet Shuffle of Cards? It was about a game of Solitaire played in the wee hours of the morning when sleep was elusive and I was restless.

It's just one of many short stories I've written (mostly for this newsletter). For some time I've wanted to do more with the stories.

But what?

I think I found the answer: handmade books.

This is the first ... and I've made so many mistakes. Though I'm pleased with the outcome of the red cover, the paper inside may not be the best choice, the gold and polka-dot tapes are not sticking (I have to pull them up and add glue), and the book needs some sort of clasp (something I should have thought about earlier in the process).

It's an accordion or concertina (a new-to-me term) style book with 10 pockets: seven to replicate the layout of a Solitaire deck and three more for the inside title page, the story, and an insert on how to play Solitaire (is that necessary? a good idea? not sure).

The book is still just shell, with lots questions that need answers. Do I use real playing cards, or create my own just for the book?

And the story needs work.

After I printed and read it on paper rather than just on the computer screen, I see things that need to change.

Below you can see some edits in progress.

Writing is so much about rewriting.

Getting started and having the bulk of the writing done is the hard part (for me). Editing my words is where the pleasure of writing begins. Replacing one word with a better, more concise word; adding or eliminating a comma; or splitting a long sentence into two can make such a difference.

Once I realized I had to glue the tape that wouldn't stick, it was disappointing, but I knew I had to keep at it, mistakes and all. I was too far along. Starting over won't help much, and I know I'll learn more if I keep going.

Despite the rather steep, but (hopefully) not insurmountable, learning curve ahead, I'm feeling a bit bookish. A bit like this is Chapter One and I want to keep reading to see what happens next.

Fingers crossed it all sticks together.