Fiddly Bits

I don’t do fiddly bits well. Fiddly is an old British term that means complicated or detailed and awkward to do or use. My delight in pre-World War II literature yields words in my vocabulary not much in use these days. But I enjoy terms that are delightfully descriptive even if they require explanation.

I attack the fiddly bits out of necessity at times. A soaker hose repair took me far longer than it should have; it would have taken either of my sons five minutes. I bought the wrong sized parts three times and only succeeded because I combine parts from two of my purchases in a makeshift manner that worked by grace, not intelligence.

My struggle is with letting others do for me things I think I should do myself. It’s only in the last year that I have added a yard guy to my acquaintance and only when I really need him. Changing a headlight bulb meant a trip to my mechanic, but only after I realized I probably couldn’t reach it myself to do it without causing damage to my body if not my pride.

The fiddly bits rob me of patience and time. When I self-published my first book, I found a sister in the Lord who did a great job of creating my cover design and formatting the interior of the book. Unfortunately, she cannot do it for my second book, and the corrections to the first book also need attention.

I considered purchasing the software/templates necessary to do the work myself. Descriptions of how both are accomplished are daunting. I ask myself if I really want to take the time to learn how to do all this when a third book is burning in my heart and mind, eager to make itself known. I prefer starting new things over finishing old ones. But as a self-published author, I need my book to make it to market and it won’t without all the steps being completed. With wisdom, I conclude that I just need to hire them done.

Thus, my hunt for help begins anew. Like any professional service, cost versus quality comes into play. A service that connects authors with formatters and cover design creators is a possibility. I most want God to come through for me again and connect me with the right person/people with ease; I am asking, seeking, and knocking.

Matthew 6:7-8 Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.