Feedback has been that I should maybe write a book on the unique experience - yes but maybe more importantly a story about how we can all make dreams come true - on how being self motivated, finding solutions to the obstacles in the daily grind of life and truly believing in the impossible to become reality is possible for us all - at whatever point in our lives we are at.
Life really is Go or Bust and up to us to drive it forward.
Thoughts ?
Santa Monica, CA
Life is what WE make of it, no-one else... now there's a poignant thought.
ReplyDeleteSomehow last evening I ended up on the Tail of the Dragon website which had a link to your blog. At first I wanted only to read your thoughts on the Tail as I have ridden it several times on two different trips in late 2010 and early 2011. There is a motorcycle lodge just off Rt 28 in NC called "Iron Horse Motorcycle Lodge". Myself and a friend camped there and used it as our hub for several days of riding in NC and TN. ...sorry I got off on a tangent... anyway instead of just locking in on your comments regarding the tail, I found myself reading each day's blog entry with increasing anticipation of what gifts your journey had blessed you with.
ReplyDeleteAs read each entry, I envisioned it was me sitting on the seat of your Bonnie instead of you. I've run into some tough financial obstacles over the last year including becoming unemployed and have had to part with my bike; none the less I find myself both envious and wondering how I can one day become a motorcycle vagabond.
May your journey’s be safe and full of adventure.
Cheers,
Jim
https://www.facebook.com/JimInSRQ
Jim - thanks for the incredibly kind and inspirational message - with words like this I feel even more strongly in putting the story out somehow to tell people you can do what we think is impossible with enough strength and effort - Thanks
ReplyDeleteFirst you're quite welcome and thank you for such a great non-fiction story!!
DeleteSecond, hmmmm.... Ever start reading a book in the middle? Well that's what I did w/ your "Go or Bust" blog. Started at Tail of the Dragon, realized that there was more to your journey than just the tail, backed up to hitting the US tarmac, read to the end, and finally today read the first half of the book. Guess I ass backwards, but if that's the worst thing I'm accused of this week, I'm doing quite well.
So now that I've read the whole book cover to cover, I can't help but to comment at least once more. You mentioned in your reply to my last post that you now feel even more strongly about putting the whole story out... Well, I for one think you should and would be most happy to stand in line for an autographed copy. I can imagine it now, sort of a picture book with captions for each picture which tells the whole story.
I provided my FB page last time I posted, when you're back in the US and feel like another journey, please be sure to look me up, I would love to ride in your dust.
Cheers and all the best,
Jim
So today I decided to check back to see how your publishing journey was progressing. I was pleased to find that you had done it, you got it published and look at my timing, only a couple of days after it was made available on Amazon. I'm placing my order now. Congratulations!!!
DeleteNow I have to ask how I might get my copy autographed.
Cheers,
Jim
Hey Jim again thanks for the support throughout and good to hear from you - yes it was a hard year's slog to write and then amazingly get picked up by a US publisher, Road Dog after a trans-atlantic radio interview on travels. I dont have a facebook account but do send me your email address so I can keep you updated and if you get a chance to write a comment on the Amazon book site that would be sweet. Thanks and safe travels. Zoë
DeleteBijoulatina, go for the book. I'll meet up with you again soon on #motochat. --Brent
ReplyDeleteI just spent the morning reading your blog from the first post until the latest. It is a great story.
ReplyDeleteWhether to write a book about your story is a tough call. It takes a lot of time and commitment, but the process can be personally worthwhile. I decided to write a book about my own trip across the USA and my reasons for doing so were mainly selfish. Like you, I enjoyed the experience so much, I wanted to record it so that a) I could remember what I did and b) so my family and future grandkids could learn a little more about me and what I enjoyed doing. If I happened to sell a few books along the way, then that would be a bonus. My advice would be (and as a first-time author, what do I know?) to look at why you want to write a book about it. If the reasons are sound, then go for it, but remember you will probably not make any money out of the venture, unless you have the talent of, say, J.K. somebody (Rowling was it?).
The big question would be to self-publish or go down the more traditional route of securing a publisher first, one that can fund the project. Your story has a number of USP’s – being a woman doing such a trip on her own is more unusual than a man, plus you did it on a Triumph which is far removed from many who tend to do such trips on say, a Harley-Davidson, and (and its maybe the biggest point) you achieved you dream in the face of considerable difficulties – funding the trip was hard, plucking up the courage to ask your employer for time off, finding the right bike to ride one-way and even learning how to adjust the chain were all things you had to overcome. In my opinion, they are as interesting as the journey itself. Maybe a publisher would like those points. However, while these are all important points to consider, they are somewhat irrelevant in terms of the big question – do you WANT to write a book? You have already proved that you are capable of achieving a goal that you want, but this is another challenge. Writing the book is possible and I get the feeling that you probably want to do it, but only you can decide that.
Having just finished my own book about a very similar journey, I have learned a little about what is involved. If you would like to ask any questions, you can contact me through my blog. Good luck!
I’ve been writing and writing since I got back and have now exceeded a rough 80 000 words. But it’s not done, not re-written, not edited. It’s difficult. I’ve got a long way to go yet.
DeleteWriting is definitely not about making money. That’s the last thing on my mind at the moment.
The story, I know, is unique and not even 80% of the story was told here on the blog! Writing a book would make the whole adventure come full circle on achieving yet another thing I currently believe is impossible. As I write it, I have great positivity, wanting to make it another journey of discovery. So like the actual trip, which I miss, only I can make it happen!
Even if I give inspiration and self belief to just one other person to succeed in something they think is impossible, then that’s a job well done and that makes me happy!
If you are writing a list of who my buy a copy of your book, put me on it. Good luck with getting it finished.
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