Tag: promises

Header and Page Number Issues in OOo Resolved

On By Michel McDonaldIn BooksLeave a comment

Yesterday I posed a question about header and page number issues in OpenOffice.org. How will I be able to add page numbers for book, but starting on chapter 1?  Also, how will I be able to add headers to the top of the pages that will allow me to add the author name and book name, without having that on the same page of each chapter?

The problem that I am having is that I am using OpenOffice because it’s free.  I can’t afford Microsoft Office so I’m using an alternative.  Unfortunately, my alternative isn’t helping me when I need it.  Oh sure I was able to type out my book, but when it comes to headers and page numbers I can’t figure it out.

I am using CreateSpace to publish my book in paper book format.  In order for me to do so, I have to format my document file for 5″ x 8″ and I must have headers and so on.  They have a very good template and I wanted to use that but I also wanted to figure it out on my own, or at least get some help which I never got.  I decided today that I would use the template and see how that would work and it’s working fine for me.

Then my next obstacle was that this template only has 10 chapters, my book has 41, so I will have to find a way to add more chapters and I did.  Copy and Paste.  I just copied the first 10 chapters and pasted them, then copied one final chapter and pasted that too and all of the formatting pasted as well.

But, now I face another issues, I can’t save my file because that removes the formatting lol.  The only way to do it is to just do it all in one day without saving anything.  I just have to copy and paste all 41 chapters one at a time, then when I am finished, save the whole thing as a PDF file.

I was hoping to have it ready to publish this Friday, but not making any promises, and unfortunately it’s probably going to take a few more days after that.  Hopefully next week, but again, no promises.  I am just waiting for feedback from people who are reading it is all.  I also want to publish some quotes from a couple of people who are writers who I sent the book to.

So here’s to next week, cheers!

My Book Is Finally Finished, but…

On By Michel McDonaldIn Autobiography, Books, eBook2 Comments

My book is finally finished being edited and is ready to be published.  It took me 2 months to write it, but then it took me another 4 months to edit it.  I have been working for at least 8 hours a day to get it right so there are no mistakes.  It is ready, but not ready because I may have made a mistake with the copyright.

I copyrighted it on November 28th 2011 and I uploaded my unfinished book and the cover, but haven’t taken any other action, besides uploading the current revision of course.  I’m not sure if I was supposed to mail it to them or not.  It still says pending so I’m not sure when it will be completed.  I don’t want to take any chances with it so I won’t publish it until the copyright has gone through.

I said I was going to publish it tomorrow, January 1st 2012, but now I have to wait until January 2nd when I can call the copyright office and talk to someone.  This really sucks but my hands are tied.

That will give me another opportunity to read the book one last time to make absolutely sure there are zero mistakes.  It sucks because I have read my book about 20 or 30 times.  I have never read a book this many times before, and since it’s my life story, I have to relive it again every time I read it.  I just want to be done with it and move on.

Anyway, I will update this on Monday when I have spoken to someone at the copyright office.  If my claim has expired because I didn’t mail a printed copy, then I will have to copyright it again and mail it to them and wait for god only knows how much longer before I can publish it.  I’m sure it won’t take that long though, I’m hoping I can upload it on Monday when I get off the phone with them.  I can’t make any promises though.

Now that I am finally finished editing, I can finally enjoy playing Lord of the Rings Online again.  WOOHOO!

Back On The Road To Being Healthy

On By Michel McDonaldIn Bike, ExerciseLeave a comment

I made a commitment to start riding my bicycle again regularly as soon as I got my new wheel for my bike last month and I didn’t start riding as regular as I had liked because I was too out of shape from not riding for a few years.  I went out with a friend a total of 3 times in the last month and it just isn’t enough so I have made that commitment again but as a solo act.

When I was riding with the friend I was riding with, I didn’t feel like I was getting anything out of the experience.  First of all, she was riding so slow, which I can’t blame her because she is more out of shape than I am, but it was too slow for me.  I wasn’t even breaking a sweat.  I came home with a dry t-shirt every time.  If I don’t come home with a soaked shirt then I know I didn’t try.

Summer is coming and this week is supposed to be in the mid 90’s which means bike riding is not going to be very pleasant during the day.  If I wake up at 5:30am and leave at 6am then I can get out on the bike trail and hopefully be back by 8 or 8:30am before the city starts to heat up too much.

Last night I set the alarm on my cell phone for 5:30am and I got up just as I wanted to and got ready to go and yes, I did go.  My bicycle computer isn’t registering so I can’t say how many miles I rode or how long or calories burned or anything.  All I can say is I rode my ass off and my thighs are in pain to prove it.

When I came home and took off my camelbak then took off my t-shirt I knew I did a good job because the back of my shirt was completely soaked.  I feel like I was beyond productive and I’m very satisfied with the solo ride.  I don’t think I will be riding with anyone anymore unless they can keep up with me and go my route instead of wanting to take shortcuts.

My new schedule will be 5 days a week from 6am to 8-8:30am.  I can’t make any promises on how much weight I may or may not lose but I can promise that I will do my best.