“The shortest distance between two points is a straight line.” —Archimedes
Today we know that the shortest distance between two points [on a flat surface] is a straight line [on spheres and other shapes, it may not be].
At least three times a week we find ourselves crossing from Point A on the south side of the Baybrook Court Footbridge, to Point B on the north side. Designed to encourage foot and bicycle traffic, it cuts more than two miles from a commute when compared to using the Broadway Avenue Bridge.
I’m currently in the hustle and bustle, behind the scenes, laser-focus stage of Point A: pre-publication of my book.
Located somewhere on the bridge, I’m swiftly heading toward heel-clicking, cork-popping, fist-pumping, Point B: book launch. Title and cover reveal coming soon…
What’s your current Point A and Point B?
Tuesdays with Laurie 
I wish I had one.
Points C, D, E, F, G. H. I. J. K, ….. keep generating interrupts and requiring site visits 😉
Ted — You crack me up! 🙂
I have quite a few of those at the moment… Must translate my next book before considering the launch… It will be a while
Olga — It’s been said that “The best things are worth waiting for.” 🙂
I suppose all of us who are living are between Point A and Point B. 🙂
I got to Point B with two assignments that I finished and sent off yesterday. As far as books, I’m in the midst of working on two–so I’ve passed the Point A contract signed, onto Point B with still gathering contributors and reading articles that have come in. Point C with revisions and pre-publication seem far away at this point, and Point D–holding the actual books seems even farther.
I’m sure you will be thrilled to complete the pre-publication frenzy!
Merril — It sounds like you’re in Book Heaven with all of the literary irons you have in the fire. Yippeeeeeee 🙂
No, not really Laurie–unfortunately, Since both books are about rape, it’s not fun or literary. At some point though, I hope to work on a book that is more fun–and literary!
How excited you must be feeling and I hope everything will go without a hitch.
I am always on a journey, so I keep running round in circles between the UK and Europe. Maybe one day I’ll make it to Africa. I’ve already been to the USA and Australia, but I’d love a taste of Asia and Africa, then my dream would be fulfilled!
Best of luck with publication. 🙂
Fatima — You WILL make it to Africa. You WILL make it to Asia. And so it is! 🙂
Where there’s life there’s hope! 👍
My current point A to point B? Drafts to final memoir manuscript. However, I see A1, A2, A3 . . . in between. Enjoy your current status, Laurie. The end is in sight!
Marian — I love how you sniggled A1, A2, and A3 right in there! 🙂
I’m right beside you! This book publishing thing is so exciting!!
Joan — We are, indeed, side by side. Your launch is September, mine is November. Yippeeeeeeeeee! 🙂
We have a couple of footbridges also in southern Indiana but they are a tad bigger than that one, although not nearly as cool looking. Point A must get caffeine depending on how much I ingest I don’t have a handle on Point B yet.
Gary — Caffeine. Ya gotta love it! 🙂
Simple here. Point A: a muddy, red clay hill with a sparse covering of winter ravaged Rye grass. Point B: A lush and vibrant coat of green to welcome Spring time. Bridge: Triple 10 lawn fertilizer+ 2 weeks!
Sandi — Having seen photographs, I can say that I love your Point A and Point B; even the oh-so-helpful manure in-between 🙂
My journey from point A to point B is a roundabout trek, with a need to explore in between. Launching a book – how exciting!
Carol — You adventurer, you! 🙂
10 Star photographs Laurie! Your Baywood Court Footbridge is so inviting!
The bridge is one of my favorite metaphors for transition. And T.S. Elliot’s quote is a perfect companion, “And to make an end is to make a beginning; The end is where we start from.”
It is clear from your post (and the comments of other authors on the page) in the book creation process each end is a beginning … the end of writing leads to the beginning stages of publication ending and leading to pre-launch and that end moves forward to the next. I’m eagerly waiting for its publication step.
Although being a writer is one of the roles I take on in my work life, point A for me was ending my long entrenched procrastination related to writing my memoir; the point B start was putting to paper a story my family had heard me tell on many occasions since my experience of it; point C on my next bridge (thanks to your encouragement) was a completion and beginning entering my story to a beginner writer contest; point D opens the door to more writing!
Thank you for your generous encouragement.
Audrey — I’m so glad you’ve ended your “entrenched procrastination” and jumped on the writing bridge. Having the privilege of reading your story, I can say — with certainty — that you’re well on your way! 🙂
I’m starting to plan to take my work to a local art show. It’s been a few years since I’ve been out to sell my work myself so it’s not quite a straight line from point A — fill out the app and send in the check to point B — actually being there. It’s almost like the first time I ever went out. I have to figure out displays and come up with equipment, payment methods, get my portfolio in shape so people can see some of my other work, and all that good stuff. The main difference is that now that I have years of experience under my belt I know what I’m facing and I know to be at least a little nervous about the whole thing. This will definitely be the nicest setting for any show I’ve been part of — a beautiful botanical garden in May.
Espirational — A botanical garden in May? You couldn’t have a more perfect setting for your launch. I’m tickled pink for you!
Living on an Island I travel a bridge daily to get to any other point besides point A. However in the past month my point A to point B has been with a horse I’ve owned for 10 years. He’s a young 16 year old and he is having health issues. We’ve exhausted all of the “emergency funds” from our little farm and rescue reserve but he’s worth it. It’s been almost 2 months and we are still at point A but hoping to get him to point B soon! You can see pictures and things we have been doing on our facebook page https://www.facebook.com/chasenchanceranch. Great post and looking forward to seeing the progress with your book! Tina
Tina — I’ve just zipped your horse in the pod (https://tuesdayswithlaurie.com/2011/03/03/zipped-in-the-pod/). Heading over to Facebook now.
I love that!!!! Thank you so unique and wonderful. Just an FYI green has been my favorite color since I learned colors lol. Sorry I should have told you to click on my photos and then the pictures of Disco I have in there as I haven’t posted an update as nothing has changed for him in the past few weeks. Struggling but he’s “in the pod” now so I’ll be looking for some positive change for him! Thank you
Laurie, your post was so helpful. . .it triggered the realization that currently I am in the cork popping stage of one adventure, while simultaneously moving toward the laser-focus stage of the next adventure. This was just a sensing of something yet formed, until I read your post. Thank you for putting words to it.
Alison — Yaaaaaay you! Thank you for letting me know 🙂
Ted Howard I agree with you 100 per cent. That’s my life too.
Sharon — Clearly great minds (you and Ted) think alike 🙂
I’m so excited for you, Laurie! I’m sorry to say that I keep losing sight of Point B. Sigh… I love the footbridge!
Dorothy — In the ups and downs of life’s terrain, it’s easy to momentarily lose sight of Point B. The keyword being “momentarily.”
I’m glad you like the footbridge. It’s literally a mile (as the crow flies) from our house. We take Willa on a minimum of three 2-mile walks each day, so we use the bridge often 🙂
I like the bridge too….We have 3 points right now #1 working kitchen (start work about April 8, #2 New Roof (maybe dry enough in June, and #3 I am usually a month ahead on book reviews…getting close to that again, but right now about 7 books short of that goal. Spend no money until all jobs completed and paid for is definitely point B for us too…What a wind storm today – exciting with a leaking roof – so much rain
Patricia — Clearly you’re a woman with a plan. I love it, especially the “spend no money until all jobs completed and paid for” part! 🙂
My most current Point A was Vancouver (where I attended a panel discussion on writing and illustrating children’s books) to Point B (my rural island home). It was windy and the ocean was choppy but I made it. Better yet, my new-to-me dog weathered through his separation anxiety and four hours of being home alone. What I wonderful warm welcome he gave me.
I’m looking forward to the reveal, Laurie– very exciting! And as you would write, you go siSTAR!
Leanne — I’m glad for you safe-and-sound round trip. I probably would have been green with my head hanging over the rail the entire time 🙂
This is a very special time for you . I am so looking forward to have a ‘Laurie Buchanan ‘ novel sitting in my book case …signed would be amazing 😌 Really looking forward to reading it . I’ve known you for quite a while in blog land and feel I know you even though we haven’t met …a bit hug coming your way .
A to B for me mmmm now come on I ve only just learnt the alphabet 😆😆😆
Cherryx
Cherry — You comment left a face-splitting grin on my face. Thank you! 🙂
Point A to Point B….getting to my next goal of weight loss…10#’s the hardest 10#’s yet…..and good for you….screaming Bravo for you….Bravo…Kat
Kat — and good for YOU too. Yippeeeeee!
You make a point here. It’s all getting from one point to the next every day. I like your metaphor of being on the bridge. I’m going to journal about the ideas you put forward here. Excited about your book!
Sky Blue Daze — I’m glad this post resonated with you. Thank you for letting me know 🙂
starting a book; could be a straight line, a circled knot, but I suspect my line will like to go up and down over hill and valley
Sorrygnat — Please keep us posted on your progress!
yes; humbling process
My point A is unemployed looking for part time work. My point B is getting something that doesn’t make me want to cry at the thought of going there.
Marie — I have every confidence you’ll find a part-time job that makes you smile at the thought of going to work 🙂
Point A is the mind set, Point B is the motivation, Point C is the domino effect. I am presently writing a book on growing up in my zany home town and am working to connect the dots.
Sam — Ohhhhhhhhh, I love it! I can hardly wait until you’ve got all the dots connected! 🙂
Giverny to Honfleur, on bikes, no straight line, but the GF and I get to follow the Seine.
Nick — Ohhhh, that sounds like FUN! 🙂
It has been an amazing journey – everything but the riding up hills part!