I hope your weekend was enjoyable and recharging!
I had a weekend unlike any that I’ve had in a very long time. At least for 1 ½ years in fact. I worked as usual on Saturday, as I do work 6 days a week with my clients. I wasn’t on tour though, and I didn’t have any family visiting me. But that is not what was different.
No, there was something that felt so incredibly different about this weekend that I almost hardly knew what to do with myself (!). It is not that I had so much free time. Or that I did anything so unusual. I had dinner with a friend visiting from NY, I went to my meditation center, I took a long walk along the beach, etc.
The difference was that I did not have to work on my book anymore. That’s right- I turned it in last week. For over a year I have been writing it, and six months prior to that working on its proposal and planning its structure. Think back to writing a long term paper- as long as 20-30 pages or more. Unlike a test, which is quickly finished in a set number or time (for better or worse), a term paper can be rewritten and worked on for infinite amounts of time. There is always something “essential” to add, another study to quote or reference, or a new way to restructure a sentence. Well imagine that term paper is 300 pages, which is about as long my book ended up being. Now you start to get the idea!
There were untold writing deadlines and edits. Countless hundreds of hours writing and rewriting each sentence, section and chapter, editing to cut down, editing before page layout, and editing from page layout to proof reading, etc…but finally, last week it all came to an abrupt end. I will not be seeing my baby again until I see it as a fully bound and completed book! I admit it was a bit hard to let go. I read it not 1, not 2 but 3 more times before Fed Ex-ing it (yes I did physically kiss and hug the manuscript) off to NY to my publishing house. In the past, there was always a tiny bit of relief that I did not have to write or edit for at least a little while when I handed it off in each draft, but then I would usually run to do more research or plan more.
But not this time. It was the end, and there is nothing for me to work on anymore. I can also sit back with the satisfaction of knowing that I wrote every word myself, without a ghost writer or research assistant. Not to mention (okay I’ll give myself a itty bitty pat on the back), that I wrote the entire book on my laptop while I worked and traveled full time with clients as their nutritionist.
I am sorry to pontificate. You must forgive me that I’m not trying to be prideful in any sense, but rather share with you as a friend in my joy. Now back to the point: I no longer have that nagging “term paper” feeling, where in the back of my head I always felt that I could have been working or doing something to better the project.
The first real thing I did to celebrate was go to Barnes & Nobles and buy a novel. I haven’t read a novel just to read a novel well again, probably over a year and a half. All my reading efforts were directed towards nutrition-related writings. I bought The Girl with the Dragon Tatoo on Friday night, and finished it this (Sunday) morning. It was a fun and entertaining read, not very difficult from a literary point of view but exactly what I needed.
I enlisted the help of Sarah, my editor at my publishing house, who I now consider a dear friend after all these months of working together, to come up with some more book recommendations. Freedom! Reading about anything, just to read! (By the way I think my next book will be Jhumpa Lahiri’s Unaccustomed Earth. I loved The Namesake.)
I feel so free. I had read my book so many times over so many drafts that I had begun to memorize certain sections, even though the manuscript was a few hundred pages. I would wake up sometimes in the night, and write on a whim from 1:00- 4:00 in the morning. On the weekends the manuscript would sit on my desk in a neat pile staring at me, a physical yet silent reminder that I could go out and practice yoga and do fun things, but I had better not ignore it for too long. It constantly demanded of me, from the back of my mind, that I was obligated to keep working at it.
I did write it with great care and I humbly hope that the information will really help people. (On a separate note- stay tuned for pre-sales soon! I am excited for you to read it.)
So yes, reading novels and fun books, more time to do yoga, more time for friends (I had to turn down so many events and get-togethers in honor of you know what)…maybe I’ll actually watch more than 2 movies this year, which seems to have been the average over the past few years. I do mean of course, fully produced films rather than watching them get made on set. 🙂
I will write about food and nutrition shortly in my next blog, and how to get energy from the world around us, harnessing our inner essence.
Take care of yourself.
With love,
Kimberly
Hi, Kimberly do u remember me? lean cuisine girl you tweeted about after our consult at the tea place. Just wanted to say you look radiant and congrats on book I cant wait to get hold of it. If u remember my email contact me if you can.
Best wishes, Lisa Sinatra
HI Lisa,
Of course I remember you. I hope you are well. How is your son?
Lots of love, Kimberly
good job, i got extactly what i was looking for..
Kimberly, Congrats on finishing your book! I can’t wait to read it!
Thank you!!
When is your book coming out?? I’m so excited, I have been waiting for this day! Yay! 🙂
It comes out April 1st! But pre-sales will begin in a few weeks. 🙂
Hi Kimb,
Oh.. I do understand you very well!
I finished writing my PhD thesis this summer. Which is basically a research book! It took me about 7 months..
And it took me about a mounth to get back to normal!
It was hard work but worth it in the end! 😉
So congratulations!
Susana
xx
Awesome! Must be such a great feeling. Looking forward to reading the finished project!
Congratulations!
p.s. Jhumpa Lahiri is an amazing author. I haven’t read Unaccustomed Earth – yet. (fyi the title of her book of short stories is Interpretor of Maladies- a Pulitzer Prize winner! and The Namesake was her first novel. The Namesake was also made in to a film.) You have inspired me to read her new book!
Oh whoops thanks! Yes it was Interpretor of Maladies I really liked, but I liked The Namesake also. 🙂
Any more recommendations??
Congratulations on finishing your book, I remember that ‘term paper’ feeling, then the relief I felt when I completed my studies in June was immense, I still don’t know what to do with myself for my career though, I feel like i’ve been in education my entire life (i’m 25 and have continued my studies every year since I left school at 16) studying different things but i still don’t feel like I have a path to follow. I love reading your blog and i hope your book will be avaiable for purchase in the UK, much love, Micaela
Congrats Kimberly!!!
Ive been reading your blog for about 4 months now and I can tell you have poured your heart and soul into that book. Im sure that fact will shine through for everyone who buys it. They will know the book was written by someone who truly cares about their health. Enjoy your new found feeling of freedom!
You are such an inspiration, take care 🙂
Amanda
THANK YOU, THANK YOU ALL!!
Hi Kimberly! Funny enough, I found your book last night for presale on amazon.com! I can not wait! to read it. You are soooo inspirational.
Congrats a million times!! Can’t wait to read it!
Congrats! What an amazing accomplishment! I can’t wait to get a copy!
Congrats Kimberly! This is a great accomplishment and I can’t wait to gift the book to friends and family.
congrats on finishing your manuscript, kim! i can’t wait to buy and read your work! 🙂 have a beautiful day!
Wow thank you guys!!! I am so fortunate to have such supportive and loving blog readers/friends. 🙂
LOVE
Hi Kimberly, congratulations on your personal accomplishment. I love reading your blog, drinking your green drink and now I am looking forward to ordering your book (and your video when it comes out). Bless you for all you do, Linda
Hi Kimberly,
Congratulations on finishing your book, I can’t wait to read it. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts, you are an inspiration. x
Hi Kim,
Congratulations for your “baby”! I had already been positively affected by your nutritional advises that I can’t wait to buy your book! Of course I want a copy with your signature onn =-)
Love,
Claudia
Kim,
What a great accomplishment! I can imagine the joy of being done with it and have your time to yourself. Good luck and can’t wait to get the book!
Becky
Yes! Officially April 1st, and hits stores last week in March, but online pre-sales are coming very soon!! xx
Dear Kimberly, Congratulations! What a fabulous accomplishment. Of course you should feel proud of yourself. As do we!
I just published my first book too, Flying Poodles – A Christmas Story. A heartwarming new take on an old tale. Check it out. Also an app in the iTunes store.
Thanks Karen!!
Congratulations Kim! You’re definitely not pontificating, we’re all here to find out what you’re up to and love your advice, so I for one am super excited to see and read your book! Do you have a publication date?
Kate
HUGE congrats. When will it hit stores??
It hits stores the last week in March, but you can order a pre-sale online very shortly… I’m going to post it soon. 😉
Thank you for your support!
Kimberly! Congratulations!! I cannot wait until it comes out and please post as soon as the pre-sales begins so we can buy it directly of your site. I cannot wait to read it and get more of your wonderful advice!:)
Btw: this is my first reply, but I felt i had to say congrats and thank you for dedicating such an abundance of your time in writing a book with the best intentions- to help everyone live a healthier life!
Congratulations! I can only imagine the sense of accomplishment you must feel at the moment. Can’t wait to read it!
honey I can’t wait for your book, so excited. You are truly making your dreams come true. Love it.
Thanks my beautiful Mildred. I’ll need your help getting the word out my dear! xoxo
Aw, allow me to share in your joy! Good for you!!! You continue to be such a vibrant and beautiful inspiration and I’m so grateful for you!
Congratulations!!
xo
Lucie, an avid reader of your blog
So exciting, congratulations! I will definitely buy one book for myself and few for friends! If you want to get something inspiring to read, try anything by Jack Kornfield!
Congrats! Will your book be available in Canada? If so I will be sure to get a copy- can’t wait!
Hey Kimberly,
I was wondering if you could do a blog post on your top favorite food items and other products/supplements (probiotics, green drinks etc.) that you cant live without.
I think this would be a fun blog post 🙂
Dawn
So exciting! Can’t wait to read it.
Congrats Kim! Looking forward to reading your book! Jhumpa is one of my favorite authors as well. I have read all 3 of her books. You will love Unaccustomed Earth! You might enjoy A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini as well (he also wrote The Kite Runner).
Best,
Summer
bravo, Kimberly! I am at the editing phase with mine so I can relate to the long process that it is and that is even before I have even shown a soul! Ha! I can only hope there is more editing and ultimately publishing in my future. Just wanted to say if you have time to read you must pick up Cutting For Stone. Give yourself time to get into it and then you wont be able to put it down… looking forward to the day i can purchase your book. xxo
Congratulations Kim! That is awesome!
Congrats! I can’t wait to read your book. Would love to read a blog about your favorite products.
Kimberly, I just stumbled across your book randomly in a grocery store and am head…over…heals…in…love with the philosophies. However, I’m feeling overwhelmed. Do you do personal consultation sessions anymore with individual clients?
Kind regards,
Malina
I only wish that I had the ability to convey what I wanted to say in the manner which you have presented this data. Thanks.
Hi Lonnie, I can feel what you are trying to say.
Thanks and come visit me again! xx
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