I just got my book printed, as many of you know. Well, lo and behold, I found a typo. Actually, Michael did. It wouldn’t be so bad if it wasn’t on the first page, but it was. Yup.
To be sure, I will fix the typo and get more books printed, but I had already given out a few. Embarrassing? You bet. I was tempted to get discouraged over the whole thing, to feel foolish, to worry about other imperfections (even though I have spent the past year on this thing).
But then I was reminded that trying something always trumps NOT trying something.
The fact is, trying stuff is scary. But the alternative is worse. The alternative is not trying anything at all for fear that it won’t be perfect (I know this struggle well), or for fear it might flop and we will look foolish. Or, even worse, fear that no one will want or like what we have to offer.
We all have to start somewhere. Every great artist, writer, dancer, singer, public speaker, and entrepreneur started with something, and I have no doubt in my mind what they had to offer wasn’t always perfect.
The important and beautiful thing was they started. They offered. And, they went on to keep offering, and with each offer, they improved.
Have you been waiting to offer something? Perhaps it is time to put away the excuses and start offering! We need you!
Photo Credit: Hometown Beauty via Compfight cc
Claudia congratulations on your book – that is a HUGE accomplishment and you should be celebrating and enjoying every minute. One little typo doesn’t ruin all the value you have poured into it and in all honesty – most people won’t even notice it!!
Hahaha you are always sweet and encouraging Ann! Thanks for all your support!
Love this post. We need to celebrate sometime what you accomplished by completing this book! And I sure would never notice a typo!
We have two great reasons to celebrate Char – baby S and the book! Can’t wait to meet her! Thanks for your constant support dear friend!
Your boook is more than most will accomplish, typo or not. And your message in the post is gold. There is somebody out there waiting for the book, blog, podcast, or whatever each of us are sitting on and not doing anything about.
P.S. I put a typo in the first sentence to make you feel better about your typo. I hope it helps.
Hahaahaa!!! Thank you for that typo Jody!
I love how you said “there is somebody out there waiting for …whatever each of us is sitting on and not doing anything about.”
So very true!
We were just having a discussion at school this week about great artists making intentional errors in their painting to authenticate them and how coins with errors are worth so much more valuable. You’ve subconsciously risen to a new level of brilliance through your inadvertent typo. Now I have to buy a first edition. So smart! 😉
Oh interesting Jody! I love that about the artists! 🙂 Hahahahaha!!! I unintentionally created a masterpiece!
Claudia – that is so cool! I am taking a Kindle Publishing course on Udemy now and my 8 year old and I are having a blast making comic books (for practice) – the process is SO easy…I’d encourage you to put on Kindle as well (and knowing you and Michael, you probably have already) 🙂
My wife and I constantly find typos in books, but guess what – they are published books. Some have sold millions. How about this – she is homeschooling CK and regularly finds typos in the Spelling book! I even though of offering a service to read and edit to take out such items, but I don’t think that is really as important and valued as writing the book itself and getting it out to everyone. Again – congrats!
Oh that’s cool that you are taking a class through Udemy Michael! I keep hearing a lot about them. We haven’t gotten it on Kindle yet, but are thinking of moving in that direction. We shall see. Perhaps you will get there first 😉
I keep hearing people say they find typos in books all the time as well. That is crazy that there were multiple in the spelling books!!!