Sometimes, when we do something that seems to suit us, we also find out in the process those things that do not.
In the course of working on Magnolia History Book II (it will be one year this month), I have enjoyed the research, loved working with other writers as a team, got absolutely woozy when a 1916 picture of a soldier and his horse on the beach by the West Point Lighthouse turned up in my archive search.
And I love seeing others create: designing the posters in Magnolia Village, and on Queen Anne announcing the beginning of pre-sales for the book. ( I like the steam train best, it looks like it could roll you down.)
I love seeing beautiful things, nice touches like the gift certificate envelope with three fragile golden snowflakes drifting down enclosing a nicely designed gift voucher-or reading the story of a fellow writer that tells a rich historical tale with wit and wisdom, family secrets now shared neighborhood history.
What I do not do well is fund raise. I am not good at marketing, and bookkeeping must be left to those who make their zeros legibly.
Here goes, though; here's the pitch: the fundraising is going on during this month, so please consider giving to this special cause... help us make Magnolia history.
Your tax-deductible gift to The Magnolia Historical Society adds your name (or a loved one... make it a memorial or a gift donation) to the list in the book of special patrons. We are trying to raise $8,000 to do some special, new, fun things to Magnolia Book II-artistic touches to text and photos.
Contact me for easy giving instructions. I'll get you connected with our bookkeeper who makes splendid zeros!
Phew, that said...
I found out last week, when it was announced I would go into editing on my lighthouse story, that I have this funny habit. Right before editor Maggie Larrick arrives, I re-write, move paragraphs, do new research, interview. Forget to save my work, unplug my mouse by accident, re-think it all.
Bad. I'm learning to leave things alone. If I work much harder at it, I will have a 27-word essay on the West Point Light. Not good.
Then I calm myself and just sit and read the draft-maybe I should just cut the first 15 pages. Yikes! So instead I distract myself, I make one or two phone calls to potential donors. I go the to Village Holiday Open House and pass out pre-sale, post-card announcements with two or three small candy canes stapled to each (kids without $40 to their name were grabbing them right and left). I congratulated myself in thinking that I got rid of all the announcements.
I decided that the weekend would be when I would reconcile all my receipts and charges from the project. Well, that got postponed because my floors needed to be washed and waxed. I don't dare go near my computer mouse again; that is just good common sense.
And so it goes for me. But if you are interested in donating to the book effort, want to know how to buy a book or, instead, would like to teach me how to make my zeros not look like an eight... a six... or a nine, then go to www.magnoliahistoricalsociety.com and get the info you need, send me an email... or call me, it will keep me from re-finishing the floors or just slightly re-working the lighthouse story (though, you know, it could become the backdrop of a bodice-ripping romance novel...now that's an idea!).
Monica Wooton, president of the Magnolia Historical Society and project manager for Magnolia History Book II, can be reached at 284-2430.[[In-content Ad]]
