June 15th, 2013 → 11:20 am @ daped
Greetings friends!
Here’s the updated opening to the book’s marquis chapter: Tuna Breath. I originally didn’t reveal my obsession with, or the identity of, the weight scale until the end of the chapter. But I re-wrote it with more transparency after a good friend pointed out how some future readers may misinterpret the message. Apparently, you can be too clever! Anyway, here’s the excerpt. Enjoy!
Doug P.
June 15th, 2013 → 11:15 am @ daped
Greetings friends!
Here’s an excerpt of chapter 3: Cut Your Hair and get Job. This chapter explains the unique title, which is actually something my dad told me many times as a kid, and it reveals how I started to lose weight as a 275-pound teenager. It also introduces the first of 3 turning points I highlight in the book. This one is all about seeking “physical balance,” or simply put: losing weight and getting into shape!
I hope you enjoy it.
Many thanks,
Doug P. (more…)
June 15th, 2013 → 11:05 am @ daped
Greetings friends!
Here is an excerpt of chapter 2: Don’t Be an Oxymoron. This chapter outlines how I got superfat as a kid and what it was like for me as an obese teenager. I really struggled with wanting to share this embarrassing side of myself when I first started writing. However, a good friend that helped me get my writing into gear back in 2010 encouraged me to tell this side of my story. The intent is open to the reader so that they can connect with me emotionally.
I’m proud to say that I’m not timid about sharing this truth about my childhood anymore. I wrote these original words more than two years ago and, although growing up as an obese child made me feel pitiful, dumb and “oxymoronic,” I am proud of where I come from. More importantly, I hope that my truth helps other people “pull themselves up” in some way. Enjoy!
Many thanks,
Doug P. (more…)
June 14th, 2013 → 9:47 am @ daped
Greetings friends!
My friends at Balboa Press sent me a “Congratulations Email” today. Tuna Breath’s cover and interior proofs have been approved by the production staff and the files have been sent to the printer for preparation (say that 3x fast!) That means that the book “will go LIVE” (be available for sale) within about 10 business days. Wow, here we grow!
Anyway, they asked me how it feels to be a “published author” and I must say that it feels the same as being an unknown writer! (more…)
June 11th, 2013 → 10:00 am @ daped
Greetings friends!
I received the “interior proof” for Tuna Breath — that’s the draft version of what the inside pages of the book will look like. I absolutely love it. The people at Balboa Press are doing an amazing job, too! The design work is done; the copyright is secured; and the ISBN number has been assigned. Most exciting of all is that after just a few minor adjustments, Tuna Breath will be ready to print … LIVE and in COLOR! I’m still planning for a print / release date at the end of the month (June 2013). Here’s a sneak peek at the inside. (more…)
February 25th, 2013 → 10:30 am @ daped
(from my journal: 2/25/2013)
Haven’t written in my journal in ages. Looking back through it today was very interesting. My thoughts over the last few years of writing have drifted from focusing on TUNA BREATH to wondering how well it will do in the market. Now we’re here, more than 2 years later, and I’m refocused again on what I’m doing and why I’m doing it: to help people. I am completely detached from the outcome. Here’s what needs to happen now:
1. Finish the manuscript
2. Submit it to Balboa Press
3. Let the chips fall where they may
Nurys is in the pre-op with Dr. Haney now. I wonder how she is?
February 15th, 2013 → 10:59 am @ daped
Have you ever said yourself, or heard an adult that’s overweight say, things like “I’m battling with my weight” or “I have a weight problem?”
I, for one, sure have—especially when people find out that I lost 125 pounds in eight months back in 1993. But what would you say if I told you that people who are seriously overweight, perhaps even obese, in truth are “battling with their e motions” and they “have emotional problems?”
Sounds much more jarring, doesn’t it?! Did I just hear a pin drop? (more…)
January 11th, 2013 → 10:43 am @ daped
Greetings friends!
I’ve always believed that Tuna Breath has a wide appeal and therefore a wide audience base. However, everything that I’ve learned about publishing a book suggests that writers start with the reader in mind … so, writing with a narrow focus to a specific audience is recommended.
This has been tougher for me as a beginning writer (especially with the BIG vision I have for Tuna Breath and the next stage of where and how I want to take my message to help people). But I’m prepared to start somewhere so I re-wrote the Introduction to the memoir today while keeping “an audience” in mind. The first audience I imagine will be mom’s who currently have children like I was: with serious weight problems. This is the group I will “talk to” first … and then let Tuna Breath find its place from there. So, this is the Introduction that will go to print. I hope you enjoy it!
Many thanks,
Doug P. (more…)
January 10th, 2013 → 9:57 am @ daped
Greetings friends!
I finally have the final chapters outlined for Tuna Breath. The new, and final, direction for how to close the book literally came to me as I sat down to write earlier this week. I love writing; it makes my soul sing!
Here are the chapter titles (see below). Stay tuned for writing samples and quotes from each chapter. I’ll include them in later posts.
Many thanks,
(PS – Tuna Breath is becoming a reality. I can’t wait to see it in my hands…by June (2013) I’m thinking 
)
Doug P. (more…)
December 15th, 2012 → 10:51 am @ daped
Greetings friends!
It’s finally time to finish Tuna Breath once and for all. It’s been months since I’ve done any serious writing. Actually, it’s been longer. My time has been devoted to my other business and raising Andrew, and he just turned 1-year. YIKES!
2013 is my year to publish Tuna Breath. (more…)
