Pure, Unadulterated Joy, It Could Be Yours

There Is Nothing Like That First Look Of Your Book As Evidenced In The Movie "Emily”

How many experiences in life bring pure, unadulterated joy?

• The moment your child is born

• Seeing a loved one after long absence

• Great sex

• The acceptance letter to the university you longed to attend

• And… the moment you open the box that holds your newly printed first book.

In the movie “Emily” a mostly forlorn Emily Brontë is shown opening the three hardback volumes of her masterpiece, and as it turns out, her only book, Wuthering Heights.

The reveal scene is not rushed and is impeccably executed. Emily is alone, outside in a garden, with a package on her lap. The camera zooms in to her delicate hands as she skillfully, gently, unwraps what looks like waxed paper tied in string revealing a stack of three, beautiful hardback books. Emily smiles (a rare occurrence in the film) and carefully opens the cover and the first few pages until she reaches the title page of the book… and there is it… her name… Emily Brontë. An ecstatic smile reaches her face and something more… it’s there…. It’s pure, unadulterated joy.

Something else is present, too. It’s relief. A happy relief that is part of the reason why there is joy. Her book in print is proof - she did it! She had an idea for a story and she wrote it and wrote it well. She Did It! There is nothing like that feeling.

Writers, do not deprive yourself of that pure, unadulterated joy. It’s one of the few moments that will truly leave an imprint on your life. You will have it with you forever. Write the book that you have in you.

Do what you can to get your book out in to the world. Go to a writers conference where there will be literary agents present, take an online course like Sit & Write: Begin - 10% off with the promo code “coterie” (for a limited time, it’s is a great place to start at the right price point), talk out your book idea with a friend or a colleague or me! I offer a FREE 15 minute consultation that you can sign up for at the link. My colleague, Kate Brenton, also offers a free consultation call for writers. Keep writing, keep learning, strive for that “unadulterated joy” moment.

Published authors, I would love to hear your story of the first time you laid eyes on your first published book!