Finding my hook and my voice:

The first encouragement I received when I expressed interest in writing a book was to pick a unique hook on my topic.  Well, we all know, nutrition books are like infinity, they just keep on going and often times about the same thing.  I also knew that if I was going to enjoy writing a book, it would need to be an angle that I found fun and exciting.  Hence, fashion= hook fit both bills.

For years I kept a journal in which I wrote notes in every direction.  I found material in all sorts of places - my clients, my lectures, National Public Radio and paging through fashion magazines and catalogs.  One thing I am certain about - people love both food and fashion and all you have to do is turn on your television to witness a plethora of options for your viewing pleasure whether you are in the mood for Project Runway or the Food Network.  Why not marry the two fav's?  So, that is what I set out to do.

I went to the public library to sign out every book on the craft of writing and "finding your voice."  Seems like a simple enough task, but when you spend too much time thinking about it you become...speechless. 

I was accustomed to keeping my personality out of my writing for factual educational materials.  Result: they were factual but they were also boring.  I wanted anything but boring.  Even though my writing "voice" went in and out of periods of laryngitis, I, ultimately tried to write in the voice and tone I deliver lectures.   I enjoy public speaking and audience feedback is often favorable.   

Armed with the information I wanted to convey and "the voice," I completed the book. 

Book is written, now what? 

Given that I have spent the past 20 years as a nutritionist and not a New York Times best selling author, one could say I am as uninformed as anyone can be about the publishing industry.   Back to the library I went to trade all the books about finding my voice for books about finding an agent and landing a book deal.

My first lesson was that agents come before publishers...most of the time.  I contacted three or four agents with no success.  I was fully prepared to be rejected by traditional publishing houses, I was not expecting agents would reject me as well.  

There are countless stories about the insufferable amounts of rejection across long spans of time so many aspiring authors encounter.  Ouch.  My brush with agent rejection felt like a sign for me.  I was quite certain I did not want to wait indefinitely to find an agent or a publisher.  I wanted to have my writing left largely intact and I wanted to still feel passionate about my concept at the time the book would be available to the world.   Solution:  self-publishing.   

The negative stigma that surrounds self-publishing is changing because access to information via the internet has given audiences an opportunity to decide what they like.  And, sometimes what audiences like is different than what agents and publishers are interested in pursuing.  I decided to see if I could find an audience that liked my message and I am using this website as one avenue for getting the word out.

After much editing, fine-tooth combing and selecting a self-publishing company, I am comfortable with the quality of the final product and with the "wrinkles" that people might see in my work.  In fact, I invite your feedback and view it as part of the editorial process.  All I ask is that you deliver your feedback with kindness and compassion.  I do hope you enjoy my message.

I invite you to participate in my debut as the author, Lori Reamer, of The Food That Fits:  A Guide to Mastering Your Food Style.  While nutrition has been my professional journey for more than 20 years and my nightstand is still home to many nutritional journals and books, I wanted to put some creative panache into my daily work.  So, I wrote a book and continue to explore how I can convey a message that will excite you as well as connect you to your food.  I hope to convince you that food is the outfit you wear every day!