I have been a journalist for over 30 years but I have never ventured beyond that on my own.
Several years ago, I helped co-author a history book about a synagogue in Rochester, New York. It was the oldest Conservative synagogue in the city and was about to celebrate its 125th anniversary. Something definitely worth noting.
I was tasked with writing the history and someone else – he worked at Kodak – was in charge of the photos.
I dug through archives at the library, history books, and even talked to long time members.
One night the photo guy slash editor and person typing it into the computer in preparation for printing calls me. We go to the printer Friday morning; it’s like Wednesday and I have a stack of notes yet to write.
No time for me to finish writing and him to pick me up to get it into the computer. Give it to me he says. So, I start composing over the phone on the spot!
The book comes out very nicely and everyone is pleased. There were only about 50 copies printed and mostly given away.
In the years since, I have often thought about writing a book of my own and have even started drafts for a couple of ideas. But somehow it never gets past that point. Music related, it will take a great deal of research and sifting through the misinformation to get to the truthful material. And that brings up another problem…time. It just seems like there is never enough time to write the thing.
Then there’s the volumes of journals filled with all kinds of stories and events from my trips to Russia. Some have been related to friends and such, but it might be an interesting project with some humour about a place that is often misunderstood.
What could I try for the first time??? Writing a book by myself…if only there was enough time.
Very cool! š