Endnotes - learning to take this seriously

            My publication contract is signed, and I have established a working relationship with a wonderful copyeditor in New York City, thanks to a first cousin with connections to the NYC literary world. My big assignment now is to clean up the endnotes for my biography of Rachel Field. For years I was rather haphazard about listing my source details. It’s all recorded…somewhere (I said to myself), but it will probably never be published anyway. And who will even care about this esoteric material?
            My academia-based son-in-law and my copyeditor have urged me to recognize that THIS IS REAL NOW. People will read this, and may indeed care to follow up on my research. So I have re-opened my stacks of paper and electronic folders. I am contacting archive librarians and tracking down details. I have ordered a copy of the Chicago Style Manual through interlibrary loan.
            As is so often the case, once I’d passed the hurdle of starting, I felt invigorated by re-entering search and discovery mode. Research is an addictive enterprise, and there are so many astoundingly helpful people in the field. I am halfway through the notes for Chapter 2. Seventeen more to go. I have my work cut out for me, but reconnecting with Rachel and her history and my years of detective work is…kind of thrilling! Am I a nerd or what?
 
My 60th year in 60,000 words
Day 57: 227 words, TOTAL = 8930; 51,070  remaining