Faithful Nest

Have you been inked? Perhaps we need to clarify before a response can be formed.

The most common usage is to use ink on something. Today we see many with ink on — well, under — the skin. Ink was the most common media for permanence. It was used to record a long term commitment, decision, declaration. Though a tattoo may be removed, it is a difficult and painful process.

Today, digital ink is much less permanent. Some remarks are erased or simply popped out into the cloud without much consideration for length of accessibility. Regardless of intention, there can be lasting effects that affect the person making the remarks. We learn that the appearance of impermanence can be deceiving.

I have now inked my contract for my first published book of poetry. That was followed up by inking an approval of the cover and content. That is not a process for the faint of heart. Fully recognizing the permanence of the decisions, editing and formatting were undertaken with the utmost care. I remembered my own past of editing my work with a mind of what I wanted to communicate versus what was on the page.

There exists in that moment the knowledge that the care I took in choosing, grouping, sequencing, formatting, and illustrating this piece would enhance (or detract from) meaning. So many questions. What kind of punctuation does each piece call for? What pacing is best? How should a piece longer than one page be presented; should they be on facing pages or finish on the next page? Who would I trust with editing the entire work? This ink has been well considered.

I must admit, the last question was difficult. However, the two people who made the biggest impact were surprisingly honest and gentle. Samira and Peg did not leave any stone unturned. An editor and a printer, each had overlapping and sometimes oppositional advice. Like inking a piece of artwork, the results are wonderful. They also did not leave me questioning my own abilities. I will be forever thankful for their professionalism and help.

The work is not done. From writing the poems to the excitement of finalizing the book we move to promotion. Hah, ink to move ink, always considering the lasting effects.