So, I wrote this book...

[Wonk]

Well, more like "compiled and edited", actually. It has many words but only the intro is "mine".

I'm nowhere near being in the same league as Mr. Pitt, but I guess I'm "officially" a published author now, even if it is self published :shrug:

It's not political in nature, just a 150 page genealogy book on my family history going back to (one set of) great-great-grandparents when they emigrated from Iceland to North Dakota and all of their descendants. It's a very limited edition first (and probably only) run (450 copies, they had eight kids that lived), with >95% of all copies to be printed in this run being pre-sold, but it's finally going to the printers tomorrow and I'm VERY happy to be done with it once and for all. It only took about a year longer than I'd planned, because I had to double, triple, and quadruple check some of the facts (birth records from Mexico to Canada, for example) to make sure they were correct. It seemed like a good idea at the time it was originally suggested and I said "Sure, I can do that", then like a not so good idea when I got bogged down, but now I'm glad I did it even if when all the various expenses are taken into account I ended up practically working for free.

I'm really looking forward to hand delivering the final hardcover to my grandpa (he's seen some of the drafts) while he can still read it and talk to his siblings and cousins (those who are still alive) about it too.

Anyway, I just thought I'd share this nice moment (:bounce:I'm DONE! FINALLY!:bounce:) with some of my DU friends :-)

[LearnedHand]

1. Cool!! Congratulations...

...and now you can put that below your avatar!

[Wonk]

5. Thanks, but I think I'll just do 1 thread instead of adding it to my sig.

I'm sure most DUers aren't particularly interested in the details of my family tree. I'm not trying to make it on to the NYT best sellers list or anything, just happy that I'm finally done with this project :-)

[Melsky]

2. I bet it feels good

I hope that someday I will know the pleasure of having finished a book. Good for you for doing this.

[Wonk]

9. Yes, it does :-) nt

[SaveABug]

3. I know I'm not a friend, but

congratulations. Thats not an easy task.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

4. What a great gift to give your family

I wish someone had the energy to do my family's history..it isn't going to be me...

[Wonk]

6. I forgot to mention... Grandpa also happens to be a WW2 vet.

He drove a tank. So is my other Grandpa, too, btw. He was an electrician in the Navy.

Just thought I'd mention that.

Fuck Bush!

[greatauntoftriplets]

7. Great work, Wonk,

You evidently feel a sense of achievement for job well done. I am sure your grandfther will enjoy reading it.

[Best_man23]

8. Congrats

As an editor of over a dozen books and a co-author of two, I know how hard it can be to stay motivated at times.

I'm sure your grandfather (and your family) will enjoy your book.

[Wickerman]

10. Thats great!

I've always wanted to do that. Ha, I remind myself of the old Wayne's World where Meyers and Carvey say they are fgoing to do something and then say, Who are we trying to kid, we'll never do that! Way to go, completion has to be great. I am seriously just completing research on my fathers side, need to get Mom's together.

[SmileyBoy]

11. Are you gonna mention the ND towns they lived in???

And maybe some more info on their North Dakota lives??

If so, I might want to check it out!!

[Wonk]

14. The book gets into that in detail, for the first generation anyway.

Less and less detail for subsequent generations or I never would have been able to finish.

You may find this link interesting if you're looking for info on what life was like back then.

http://hometown.aol.com/arlans/myhomepage/leanyears.html

on edit: Here's a picture of Joe, mentioned in that essay, with his family.

http://wonk.globalfreepress.com/Joe+Ingibjorg.jpg

[WilliamPitt]

12. OUTSTANDING!!!!

Congratulations. Here's the thing. You've added something to the culture, to the world. You have made the planet heavier with excellence. Whatever happens to you from now on, this is something they will never be able to take away from you. Well done.

[Wonk]

13. Thanks, Will :-) nt

[EFF BrandyWine]

15. Congratulations on a noteworthy accomplishment!

And something to pass on to succeeding generations. So much of my family history was lost, and there is no way to trace the geneaology past the previous generation. I admire your fortitude. I have finished a novel (fiction) that has taken me five years to write and am now editing so my admiration is boundless. Good luck!