Under the cover
Dear Reader
Now that you’ve read my memoir Storm Orphan, you know something about me, well a LOT about me. If you haven’t read the book yet don’t worry, there are no spoiler alerts here.
Many of you have shared your thoughts, feelings, and opinions about the book. I’m humbled and grateful for your (so far) glowing reviews. A common refrain I’ve heard is, “I couldn’t put it down.” This is music to my ears and a balm to my soul. I confess I have a bit of what they call “imposter syndrome.” Who am I to write and publish my memoir?
After writing for five years part time and one year full time, I spent another year on the design and publishing process. When the book was finally ready to go to print, I turned to Elwood, my husband, and said,
“What have I done?”
I’ll admit I didn’t really give much thought to you dear reader while writing. I was engaged in the process and trying to show—not tell—my story working to connect deeply to describe my emotions as I journeyed through my past, like an archeologist on a dig.
“I’ve revealed my life of sex, drugs and rock and roll to the world!” I wailed. Not just the world, but your family and our kids!”
“You’ve been honest, brave and shown your vulnerability,” Elwood assured me as he always does. “People will connect.”
And connect you have.
I decided that I’d like to continue that connection.
So I’m launching a monthly blog. I’m going to discuss what went on behind the scenes of writing Storm Orphan, musings on my past and current life and since it seemed to have worked with the memoir, more humorous, maybe sad, but mostly self-deprecating stories. I have lots!
This month, I’ll share with you how I came up with the cover for Storm Orphan.
Originally I thought of putting this photograph of me as a child on the front of the book. I’m standing in the driveway of our home in Hoggs Hollow, and I think I’m about seven years old. It kind of went with the title Storm Orphan, but after reflection, it just looked sad. One thing I was sure of was that I didn’t want my story to evoke a pity party.
The house I grew up in became its own character in the book and I thought a picture of 77 Plymbridge might evoke interest, so I searched through my photos. I really don’t have many family photos (third born child) but I did find this one. Not great, right? This was before the shutters were painted black and while it has the white picket fence, it doesn’t really inspire.
Over 30 years ago, Gary (my ex) had given me a very special birthday gift of a rendering of my family home—done by Ron Ridley—and had it framed. It still sits with pride in our hallway along with a lot of other pictures of houses—I collect them—but that’s a story for another day.
The picture however, is 16” x 22.” Photos for book covers have very specific requirements as to size, pixels and a bunch of other things. It had to be scanned to meet those requirements. I took the frame apart and realized the art was done on thick cardboard. After being told by a printer that it couldn’t be scanned, I then turned to an artist (who shall remain unnamed) to sketch a picture and include a young child looking out of the second floor window, where I often gazed out into the world. What came back was a computer generated image that didn’t even have a whiff of a pencil in it. I hated it.
So back to the drawing board, literally. In the end I took a photo of the art that Ron had done, which I was told not to do as quality would be poor. I then had to adjust the size of the photo and the dpi’s. What the heck were dpi’s? I needed 300 of them. I’m not technical but I did learn and somehow figured my way out of the computer challenges.
This was the photo I was going to use, but my daughter Sarah said the picture was too small. The house felt distant. It was her brilliant idea to focus in on the central part of the house and enlarge it, so it felt like you were walking up the driveway.
I wanted turquoise in the background as it evoked the era of the 60s and it matched the colour of the kitchen cupboards in 77 Plymbridge.
So there you have it. I’m happy with the look of the cover and would love to hear what you think. Actually, feel free to ask me any questions about my story, the process of writing or publishing, or something else you’d like to know more about and I will respond.
Thank-you dear reader for your engagement and support. I hope to hear from you and I’ll write again soon.
With affection,
Marsha