I haven't checked the boards today, so I have no idea how things are going. Tomorrow is soon enough to find out how my choices did.
I suspect some people (authors, namely) may stay up and wait for the turnover at 12 midnight Eastern. I think Jeff is on Colorado time so would that be 10 PM for him? I don't know when he finds time to sleep.
I have started working on my new website. This will take a while, I think. At the moment, I have no idea what to put on there or how to put it on if I knew what I wanted. I'll learn. Slow and steady.
Today, I decided to work on Past Ties again, the book that started it all. Technically, it is mostly written, but based on my experience with Elementals, I'm probably going to throw most of it out. Maybe. I don't know.
I stopped working on it because of the research needed to answer all the sticky questions that came up while I was writing it in the first place.
The story involves future governments (how far in the future? what kind of governments would have survived? would the US exist? if so, who are her enemies?), nanotechnology (what are we doing today in that field and what do we project for the future?), lunar and Mars colonization (which would come first, if we did either? what would drive such a push? would this be a government-run colonization or a private-industry venture, or both? what would it entail?) and artificial intelligence and robotics (I don't even want to think about how long that research could go on).
Getting an idea of why I stopped working on the book? This turtle don't care for research, and these are all things I would have to answer before I could comfortably publish Past Ties.
The problem with writing science fiction is you have to emphasize the science. In TV and movies, you can emphasize the fiction and use great CGI and explosions to keep the audience's mind off the obvious "that would never happen" plot weaknesses. Don't have that option in books.
However, now that I have the Internet and the will to use it, I'll begin my slow and steady course of answering these questions. Since Past Ties sets up events that impact at least eight other books I want to write, I guess it's time to get it done.
On the bright side, once I've answered these questions, I don't have to answer them again.
And speaking of bright sides, morning comes sooner and sooner for me, so I'll sign off and pick up in the AM.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Voting Continues
I've heard from some of you. Thank you for taking part in the Grand Experiment.
I cast my votes today. It seems I can change them through tomorrow 11 PM Central, if I wish.
I had 12 on one page, so I voted for ten and sent Jeff a personal message listing the other two.
I did this by clicking on his name (he's the first person who's written something after putting up the poll, so his name is there on the left hand side above his "picture.")
The click took me to his personal information, which includes the option to "send a personal message" at the top of the info box. That leads to an email, where I typed in my choices and my name and clicked "send personal message" one more time.
Once it was sent, it took me to a screen I didn't know how to get out of, so I clicked on "home" just above his info and that returned me to the MLS main board. You could probably also log out from that page, if you don't want to go read some of the discussion boards.
Tomorrow is the last day to vote in this round. Pray for the folks who are on pins and needles awaiting the outcome. They've worked hard for this, but, as The Highlander would tell us, "there can be only one."
PS: I just went to MLS to see how things are going, and totally unbeknownst (yes, it's a word) to me, Jeff has a post called There Can Be Only One.
I am so perfect to be one of these people! If only they could figure it out.
Oh, and I saw Star of Justice listed three times now. Yea!
Some of my more discreet friends...feel free to talk it up, if you'd like. Not you, mom. You're not discreet. Love you anyway.
I cast my votes today. It seems I can change them through tomorrow 11 PM Central, if I wish.
I had 12 on one page, so I voted for ten and sent Jeff a personal message listing the other two.
I did this by clicking on his name (he's the first person who's written something after putting up the poll, so his name is there on the left hand side above his "picture.")
The click took me to his personal information, which includes the option to "send a personal message" at the top of the info box. That leads to an email, where I typed in my choices and my name and clicked "send personal message" one more time.
Once it was sent, it took me to a screen I didn't know how to get out of, so I clicked on "home" just above his info and that returned me to the MLS main board. You could probably also log out from that page, if you don't want to go read some of the discussion boards.
Tomorrow is the last day to vote in this round. Pray for the folks who are on pins and needles awaiting the outcome. They've worked hard for this, but, as The Highlander would tell us, "there can be only one."
PS: I just went to MLS to see how things are going, and totally unbeknownst (yes, it's a word) to me, Jeff has a post called There Can Be Only One.
I am so perfect to be one of these people! If only they could figure it out.
Oh, and I saw Star of Justice listed three times now. Yea!
Some of my more discreet friends...feel free to talk it up, if you'd like. Not you, mom. You're not discreet. Love you anyway.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Voting Starts Today
When I got onto the MLS site this morning, there were a few minor system glitches, which seem to be worked out now.
One problem: since the polls are split into two per contest, Jeff had to limit the number of choices per poll. I discovered for the main contest, I have more than 10 choices in the first poll and fewer than 10 in the second.
This problem will be solved by emailing Jeff any entries I couldn't enter due to the restriction. (Does that sentence make sense? I can't tell).
I will let you know how to do that once I do it. I think I can click on his name and it will take me to his bio where I have an option to "send a personal message." Like on Facebook. We'll see.
Anyway, while the voting is going on, I will continue to peruse the comments. I'm wondering if non-author campaigning will begin in earnest now.
We can't see the tallies, so no one will know 'til Monday whether they advance or go home.
"The suspense is terrible. I hope it will last." - Willy Wonka
One problem: since the polls are split into two per contest, Jeff had to limit the number of choices per poll. I discovered for the main contest, I have more than 10 choices in the first poll and fewer than 10 in the second.
This problem will be solved by emailing Jeff any entries I couldn't enter due to the restriction. (Does that sentence make sense? I can't tell).
I will let you know how to do that once I do it. I think I can click on his name and it will take me to his bio where I have an option to "send a personal message." Like on Facebook. We'll see.
Anyway, while the voting is going on, I will continue to peruse the comments. I'm wondering if non-author campaigning will begin in earnest now.
We can't see the tallies, so no one will know 'til Monday whether they advance or go home.
"The suspense is terrible. I hope it will last." - Willy Wonka
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Voting Starts Tomorrow
The title says it all.
Now, the premise contest people (i.e., me) won't be eliminated this round. This is more of a test vote for us. For the main contest people though... Come Monday morning, 16 will be done and 20 will remain.
Due to a technology hiccup, the voting threads will be split into two threads per contest. It seems Jeff the Publisher can't list all the entries into a single poll.
So, when you vote, you will need to vote in two polls per contest. You may split your 3-minimum/20 maximum votes between two polls. These polls should be fairly obvious and most likely titled something like "Premise Contest Poll One" and "Premise Contest Poll Two." I'm guessing here. I'll let you all know in the morning.
Meaning: if you don't find Star of Justice in the first poll, go to the second and look for it. If you want to vote for Star of Justice, that is :)
Reminder: you must vote for at least three entries in each contest or your vote will be discarded. OK.
So, since I don't actually get eliminated this round, I'm not nervous. The votes will not be visible, so I won't know how I did, either. I can email him and ask, but I don't think it would be helpful this time around. According to the discussion threads, most of us have realized you can't tell much from 20 words and we'd rather see more than less.
The part I find most interesting is as I read comments from people who not only seem very serious about writing, but many of whom are actively pursuing publication, I keep thinking of Seth Godin's Tribes book, where he says a real leader has the vision and everyone else follows it. Jeff the Publisher is the leader, and we're all clamoring to be part of his tribe.
Question is, what makes Jeff the leader? His experience in the field? His ability to create a website? His willingness to wade through mountains of excrement looking for that one great monument of fiction?
Yeah, pretty much.
Since I'm not willing to do all that yet, I'll clamour with the rest of them. For now.
Print On Demand has changed a lot of things. If I think Jesus is coming back that soon, I will self-publish, just to say I did.
Now, the premise contest people (i.e., me) won't be eliminated this round. This is more of a test vote for us. For the main contest people though... Come Monday morning, 16 will be done and 20 will remain.
Due to a technology hiccup, the voting threads will be split into two threads per contest. It seems Jeff the Publisher can't list all the entries into a single poll.
So, when you vote, you will need to vote in two polls per contest. You may split your 3-minimum/20 maximum votes between two polls. These polls should be fairly obvious and most likely titled something like "Premise Contest Poll One" and "Premise Contest Poll Two." I'm guessing here. I'll let you all know in the morning.
Meaning: if you don't find Star of Justice in the first poll, go to the second and look for it. If you want to vote for Star of Justice, that is :)
Reminder: you must vote for at least three entries in each contest or your vote will be discarded. OK.
So, since I don't actually get eliminated this round, I'm not nervous. The votes will not be visible, so I won't know how I did, either. I can email him and ask, but I don't think it would be helpful this time around. According to the discussion threads, most of us have realized you can't tell much from 20 words and we'd rather see more than less.
The part I find most interesting is as I read comments from people who not only seem very serious about writing, but many of whom are actively pursuing publication, I keep thinking of Seth Godin's Tribes book, where he says a real leader has the vision and everyone else follows it. Jeff the Publisher is the leader, and we're all clamoring to be part of his tribe.
Question is, what makes Jeff the leader? His experience in the field? His ability to create a website? His willingness to wade through mountains of excrement looking for that one great monument of fiction?
Yeah, pretty much.
Since I'm not willing to do all that yet, I'll clamour with the rest of them. For now.
Print On Demand has changed a lot of things. If I think Jesus is coming back that soon, I will self-publish, just to say I did.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
A Bit of A Ramble About...Time
I was thinking last night about my childhood. Eighth grade, specifically, the year of Trapper Keepers, sneakers with velcro instead of shoestrings, and the erasable Bic pen. Good times.
I wrote back then, too, little snippets of scenes and stories that took my fancy and petered off as I lost interest. Nothing finished. Nothing terribly noteworthy.
My teacher Mr. Freidline gave us a writing assignment: what will you be doing when you're 30?
I told him I couldn't complete such an assignment because I didn't expect to be alive at 30. I think I annoyed him with that response (otherwise, except for one incident with a bug collection, we got along famously). I don't remember what I wrote for the assignment. A complete fabrication, no doubt.
I honestly didn't expect the world to be around by the time I was 30. Yet, here it is, eight years after the fact, and shows every indication of continuing for a while.
I wonder what my life would be like if I'd actually finished stories back then. If I'd sought publication when I was 15 and attending conferences, or 19 and writing continually in college, or even 21, when I "officially" finished my first book (that was Past Ties, but it wouldn't qualify as finished to me today because I left too many loose ends that I planned to address in the sequel Present Tense).
In The Last Unicorn by Peter Beagle (one of my favorite books ever), the author tells us unicorns don't feel regret. A useful lack for an immortal creature. Eternity wishing you had chosen differently would be hell.
I've tried to live my life that way. Not by trying to experience everything, but by deciding not to regret the choices I make along the way. No point in regretting what cannot be changed.
I don't consider the intervening 20+ years between me then and me now wasted. I am a different person than that fourteen year old. I hope my writing has improved and my stories have gained depth and wisdom.
God is teaching me the journey is as important as the destination. Each step builds on the one before and prepares the way for the next. Taking the steps, even in my plodding, turtle way, is what matters. Persistence provides payoff.
It is not a regret, necessarily, but I do hope I have time to write more books. Now that I have a taste of the joy of completion as well as the agony of creation, I find I like it. I'd like to do more of it.
In the hopes that the world continues, I will continue, as well, without regret and with my eyes focused on the goal of completion, one story at a time.
I wrote back then, too, little snippets of scenes and stories that took my fancy and petered off as I lost interest. Nothing finished. Nothing terribly noteworthy.
My teacher Mr. Freidline gave us a writing assignment: what will you be doing when you're 30?
I told him I couldn't complete such an assignment because I didn't expect to be alive at 30. I think I annoyed him with that response (otherwise, except for one incident with a bug collection, we got along famously). I don't remember what I wrote for the assignment. A complete fabrication, no doubt.
I honestly didn't expect the world to be around by the time I was 30. Yet, here it is, eight years after the fact, and shows every indication of continuing for a while.
I wonder what my life would be like if I'd actually finished stories back then. If I'd sought publication when I was 15 and attending conferences, or 19 and writing continually in college, or even 21, when I "officially" finished my first book (that was Past Ties, but it wouldn't qualify as finished to me today because I left too many loose ends that I planned to address in the sequel Present Tense).
In The Last Unicorn by Peter Beagle (one of my favorite books ever), the author tells us unicorns don't feel regret. A useful lack for an immortal creature. Eternity wishing you had chosen differently would be hell.
I've tried to live my life that way. Not by trying to experience everything, but by deciding not to regret the choices I make along the way. No point in regretting what cannot be changed.
I don't consider the intervening 20+ years between me then and me now wasted. I am a different person than that fourteen year old. I hope my writing has improved and my stories have gained depth and wisdom.
God is teaching me the journey is as important as the destination. Each step builds on the one before and prepares the way for the next. Taking the steps, even in my plodding, turtle way, is what matters. Persistence provides payoff.
It is not a regret, necessarily, but I do hope I have time to write more books. Now that I have a taste of the joy of completion as well as the agony of creation, I find I like it. I'd like to do more of it.
In the hopes that the world continues, I will continue, as well, without regret and with my eyes focused on the goal of completion, one story at a time.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Oops
Yesterday, I spent my morning blog time in daily devotions, my afternoon blog time checking emails about the writing contest, and my evening blog time getting my picture taken for my church directory.
Result: no post. My apologies to my faithful follower. ;)
I've been reluctant over the past few weeks to get on my computer. As I wrote elsewhere, it seems the amount of conflict produced in my life is in direct proportion to the risks I am taking as a part of my new Gene Getz-inspired life. I don't like conflict. Conflict makes stories interesting to read, but it makes life a real pain to live. It's making me want very much to pull back into my shell and stop talking to people altogether.
I won't, but I want to. This is why I never took chances before. My calm is being seriously disturbed by life. I don't have an ulcer yet, so I'm counting that a plus.
Contest voting starts this Friday. If you have registered, you received an email from Jeff the Publisher restating the rules. If you know me personally, you probably received an email from me doing the same.
All premise contest entries will advance in the first round, no matter who gets what votes. I think MLS is realizing a blurb alone does not a good premise make :) If they do this again, I wonder if the premise contest will be allowed the hook and the cover blurb to start.
Anyway, have a happy Tuesday, everyone. Love God and serve others today, no matter what conflict it generates. Choose the hard right instead of the easy wrong.
Result: no post. My apologies to my faithful follower. ;)
I've been reluctant over the past few weeks to get on my computer. As I wrote elsewhere, it seems the amount of conflict produced in my life is in direct proportion to the risks I am taking as a part of my new Gene Getz-inspired life. I don't like conflict. Conflict makes stories interesting to read, but it makes life a real pain to live. It's making me want very much to pull back into my shell and stop talking to people altogether.
I won't, but I want to. This is why I never took chances before. My calm is being seriously disturbed by life. I don't have an ulcer yet, so I'm counting that a plus.
Contest voting starts this Friday. If you have registered, you received an email from Jeff the Publisher restating the rules. If you know me personally, you probably received an email from me doing the same.
All premise contest entries will advance in the first round, no matter who gets what votes. I think MLS is realizing a blurb alone does not a good premise make :) If they do this again, I wonder if the premise contest will be allowed the hook and the cover blurb to start.
Anyway, have a happy Tuesday, everyone. Love God and serve others today, no matter what conflict it generates. Choose the hard right instead of the easy wrong.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Polishing Is Finally Done
I took my own sweet time about it, too, but when I realized the contest was going to take so long, I decided not to rush it. I won't revise it again without a publisher telling me to do so.
Mostly, I've added more chapter breaks, which means coming up with more chapter headings.
I think it's been a full year since I've looked at this story. I'm pleased to say I'm still pleased with it, beginning to end. That doesn't always happen with stories.
Now I'm starting to think about the four books that go with it. I've two prequels, a side-quel, and a sequel all started. See, I wrote Star of Justice as a stand-alone, but I seem incapable of writing about a world without connecting it to other worlds in my universe.
Star of Justice is a spin-off from an as-yet unwritten story series based in our near future called Past Ties. That series is a time-travel, sci-fi mystery. And, no, I can't seem to stick with one genre. Anne McCaffrey never did and she's probably my biggest secular influence.
Actually, I should look over Elementals again and start researching possible publishers for it. I consider it a Young Adult book (mostly because the heroes are fourteen and fifteen), so Marcher Lord Press won't do for this one.
On the other hand, I wrote it with the intention of self-publishing through Print on Demand. Now that I have a website, I might go ahead and do that.
What I really need to do is finish reading Stuart Vaughn Stockton's Starfire. It's the book that got me into this whole contest with MLS, and makes me want to write for them. He's an amazing author. Anyone who can get me reading about dinosaurs would have to be. I'll be writing a review on it shortly.
Looking at the clock, I guess what I'm doing next is going to bed. God willing, the cats will let me sleep 'til the alarm goes off.
A girl can dream.
Mostly, I've added more chapter breaks, which means coming up with more chapter headings.
I think it's been a full year since I've looked at this story. I'm pleased to say I'm still pleased with it, beginning to end. That doesn't always happen with stories.
Now I'm starting to think about the four books that go with it. I've two prequels, a side-quel, and a sequel all started. See, I wrote Star of Justice as a stand-alone, but I seem incapable of writing about a world without connecting it to other worlds in my universe.
Star of Justice is a spin-off from an as-yet unwritten story series based in our near future called Past Ties. That series is a time-travel, sci-fi mystery. And, no, I can't seem to stick with one genre. Anne McCaffrey never did and she's probably my biggest secular influence.
Actually, I should look over Elementals again and start researching possible publishers for it. I consider it a Young Adult book (mostly because the heroes are fourteen and fifteen), so Marcher Lord Press won't do for this one.
On the other hand, I wrote it with the intention of self-publishing through Print on Demand. Now that I have a website, I might go ahead and do that.
What I really need to do is finish reading Stuart Vaughn Stockton's Starfire. It's the book that got me into this whole contest with MLS, and makes me want to write for them. He's an amazing author. Anyone who can get me reading about dinosaurs would have to be. I'll be writing a review on it shortly.
Looking at the clock, I guess what I'm doing next is going to bed. God willing, the cats will let me sleep 'til the alarm goes off.
A girl can dream.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Reading Posts at The MLS Forum
Seems Jeff the publisher may want to have discussions after each round of voting about why you voted the way you did, and why you rejected certain titles/premises.
Sound a little risky, but he's hoping (with good reason) that people will be nice when they critique and the info might be useful for everyone.
I'm strangely for this concept.
Thanks for the prayers. I seem to need them more every day.
Sound a little risky, but he's hoping (with good reason) that people will be nice when they critique and the info might be useful for everyone.
I'm strangely for this concept.
Thanks for the prayers. I seem to need them more every day.
Friday, November 6, 2009
Rule 3
My posts have been a little long lately. The price of trying to instruct and comment at the same time. I'll keep this short.
I spent my morning computer time reviewing the last 16 entries for the MLS main contest.
I've picked my preliminary 20 to vote for. I figure why not give as many as possible a chance for as long as possible? I have time left, so I'm sure I'll go back over them and reconsider.
I must admit, some of these stories seem a little silly to me. I won't name names since theoretically someone from the contest can now find my blog and possibly read this. Plus, my silliness may be someone else's Grand Vision. I don't have the market cornered on great fiction.
A few of these entries make my worldview lens cloudy wondering if these are areas open for fictional interpretation. "Everything is permissible, but not everything is beneficial" kind of stuff. I personally would hesitate to tackle a few of them just in case I tread in heresy territory. For example, I wouldn't want to be the author of The Shack (not a book in the contest, by the way, I mean the real The Shack). I don't think he set out to cause the stir he did, but woo-doggies, did he ever.
On the other hand, this is speculative Christian fiction. What's the fun in speculating only on "safe" topics?
I am enjoying reading the discussion boards. I've even made a few comments, checked and double-checked for accuracy, I assure you.
Anyhoo, feel free to join us in the grand experiment. Countdown continues. Seven days to go.
I spent my morning computer time reviewing the last 16 entries for the MLS main contest.
I've picked my preliminary 20 to vote for. I figure why not give as many as possible a chance for as long as possible? I have time left, so I'm sure I'll go back over them and reconsider.
I must admit, some of these stories seem a little silly to me. I won't name names since theoretically someone from the contest can now find my blog and possibly read this. Plus, my silliness may be someone else's Grand Vision. I don't have the market cornered on great fiction.
A few of these entries make my worldview lens cloudy wondering if these are areas open for fictional interpretation. "Everything is permissible, but not everything is beneficial" kind of stuff. I personally would hesitate to tackle a few of them just in case I tread in heresy territory. For example, I wouldn't want to be the author of The Shack (not a book in the contest, by the way, I mean the real The Shack). I don't think he set out to cause the stir he did, but woo-doggies, did he ever.
On the other hand, this is speculative Christian fiction. What's the fun in speculating only on "safe" topics?
I am enjoying reading the discussion boards. I've even made a few comments, checked and double-checked for accuracy, I assure you.
Anyhoo, feel free to join us in the grand experiment. Countdown continues. Seven days to go.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
TUTAW: Rejection
The Ugly Truth About Writing is...rejection happens.
We all know this. When you put yourself out there, odds are you will be rejected. Even more true about writing.
You write a story. Or not. Some people have an idea first and wait to write until they have a backer. This is a good use of time, but I'd rather just write the book and worry about publishing later.
So here's this story. You think it's good. You think other people will think it's good. You do some research (hopefully. otherwise you will waste a lot of money) and pick a publisher you think will like your story. Actually, you pick a publisher who publishes stories like your story. The difference between those two sentences is the emotional meaning you will attach to their response.
You submit your story, following all the guidelines the publisher requests. You wait. You do whatever it is you do while you wait (don't bother the publisher!). I try to keep my mind on something else.
Your response arrives. It has probably changed, but back when I regularly attended conferences, it was your manuscript returned in a SASE (self-addressed stamped envelop) and a pink rejection slip. The slip is very polite, and states something like "We have reviewed your manuscript, and it does not fit our current needs. Thank you for contacting us." A polite brush-off.
You can be crushed. It's OK. It's not helpful, but it is natural. Even I would be a little dented.
Here's the problem. That slip doesn't tell you anything. It may be saying they are too busy to actually read your story. Or, they have so many submissions already they can't produce one more right now. Or, your story really doesn't fit their needs (meaning you didn't research your market well enough). Or, the editor (likely junior) who read it just didn't like it that day.
See? All kinds of reasons. None of them are personal.
It is possible the editor hates you. If you went to conference, met her and annoyed her, it's possible. If you call her twice a day for a month and ask if she's read your manuscript, it's likely. Don't do that, by the way. The editors I work for won't talk to anyone who "bothers" them about a press release (with certain exceptions, except none of those will apply to you and your publisher, believe me).
So, the rejection isn't personal. It doesn't stop it from hurting.
The Marcher Lord Select contest is an editorial review by other authors and potential readers instead of one editor. However, this doesn't mean that losing the contest assures none of these people would like my book if they read it.
The contest is set up with a lot of hoops to make conditions as fair as possible. I support this whole-heartedly. It is not fair for one person with a lot of friends to win just because they can rouse more support from people they know.
On the other hand, the audience itself is people who know about the contest; i.e., potential authors and readers who are Internet users. MLP books are sold on the Internet, not stores. These people are nerds and geeks (my own kind) but they are not the only nerds and geeks in the world.
Plus, the length of the contest itself and the commitment involved in following it through to the end may create conditions where the final voting is done by only a handful of people. As I read the comments, I'm seeing about 10-20 people currently active in the process. Will more vote? I hope so, but I don't know.
I want to win. I'm in it to win. I may not. Some of these books sound pretty good, and they seem to be touching nerves with this audience. I think that's great. I'm astounded to learn there are people in the world as weird as I am, and that we have a place to gather. That knowledge alone makes all this worthwhile. Even if I lose the contest, I am not barred from resubmitting my story to MLP. It will just take longer to get published (see? Optimism!).
Rejection happens. It is a fact. I try very hard not to connect it to my sense of self-worth. For the most part, I succeed.
It seems I may have sounded a little depressed and possibly suicidal in yesterday's post. Please believe, I am fine. Fear gives way to resignation for me. Whatever happens now is God's will. I'm just looking for the teachable moments. And I'm looking forward to seeing who wins.
It may be a book I wouldn't want to read. ;)
We all know this. When you put yourself out there, odds are you will be rejected. Even more true about writing.
You write a story. Or not. Some people have an idea first and wait to write until they have a backer. This is a good use of time, but I'd rather just write the book and worry about publishing later.
So here's this story. You think it's good. You think other people will think it's good. You do some research (hopefully. otherwise you will waste a lot of money) and pick a publisher you think will like your story. Actually, you pick a publisher who publishes stories like your story. The difference between those two sentences is the emotional meaning you will attach to their response.
You submit your story, following all the guidelines the publisher requests. You wait. You do whatever it is you do while you wait (don't bother the publisher!). I try to keep my mind on something else.
Your response arrives. It has probably changed, but back when I regularly attended conferences, it was your manuscript returned in a SASE (self-addressed stamped envelop) and a pink rejection slip. The slip is very polite, and states something like "We have reviewed your manuscript, and it does not fit our current needs. Thank you for contacting us." A polite brush-off.
You can be crushed. It's OK. It's not helpful, but it is natural. Even I would be a little dented.
Here's the problem. That slip doesn't tell you anything. It may be saying they are too busy to actually read your story. Or, they have so many submissions already they can't produce one more right now. Or, your story really doesn't fit their needs (meaning you didn't research your market well enough). Or, the editor (likely junior) who read it just didn't like it that day.
See? All kinds of reasons. None of them are personal.
It is possible the editor hates you. If you went to conference, met her and annoyed her, it's possible. If you call her twice a day for a month and ask if she's read your manuscript, it's likely. Don't do that, by the way. The editors I work for won't talk to anyone who "bothers" them about a press release (with certain exceptions, except none of those will apply to you and your publisher, believe me).
So, the rejection isn't personal. It doesn't stop it from hurting.
The Marcher Lord Select contest is an editorial review by other authors and potential readers instead of one editor. However, this doesn't mean that losing the contest assures none of these people would like my book if they read it.
The contest is set up with a lot of hoops to make conditions as fair as possible. I support this whole-heartedly. It is not fair for one person with a lot of friends to win just because they can rouse more support from people they know.
On the other hand, the audience itself is people who know about the contest; i.e., potential authors and readers who are Internet users. MLP books are sold on the Internet, not stores. These people are nerds and geeks (my own kind) but they are not the only nerds and geeks in the world.
Plus, the length of the contest itself and the commitment involved in following it through to the end may create conditions where the final voting is done by only a handful of people. As I read the comments, I'm seeing about 10-20 people currently active in the process. Will more vote? I hope so, but I don't know.
I want to win. I'm in it to win. I may not. Some of these books sound pretty good, and they seem to be touching nerves with this audience. I think that's great. I'm astounded to learn there are people in the world as weird as I am, and that we have a place to gather. That knowledge alone makes all this worthwhile. Even if I lose the contest, I am not barred from resubmitting my story to MLP. It will just take longer to get published (see? Optimism!).
Rejection happens. It is a fact. I try very hard not to connect it to my sense of self-worth. For the most part, I succeed.
It seems I may have sounded a little depressed and possibly suicidal in yesterday's post. Please believe, I am fine. Fear gives way to resignation for me. Whatever happens now is God's will. I'm just looking for the teachable moments. And I'm looking forward to seeing who wins.
It may be a book I wouldn't want to read. ;)
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
The Premise Contest So Far
Another way-too-early morning for me. This time, I woke myself up at 4:11. The cats had nothing to do with it.
For the record, nothing good seems to come of waking up at that time for me. I try to pray for folks until I fall back asleep (if I can), 'cause most folks need it, but at that time, in the dark, when sunrise is still hours away, my mind naturally goes to bad places. All the worries of my waking life find me. Even though I'm talking to God and trying to listen to Him, He seems far away at 4 AM.
Result: today I get up with a knot in my stomach as well as a stuffy nose. I have no reason for the knot. It's just there, annoying me, trying its best to make me grumpy.
Last night, I spent an hour or so at the MLS website looking at the premise contest and the first 20 main contest entries, and reading what other people are saying about both.
(Reminder: check out my How to Register with Marcher Lord Select post to get signed up to be a judge in this contest)
Star of Justice is listed on only one person's I'm going to vote for list, and it was only picked after a second read-through of all the premises. Hey, I'm glad for any press at this point. There are other entries that aren't listed by anyone. Yet.
We're three days into the contest, ten days before actual voting can happen. Now is the time to read and choose what you will vote for on Nov 13, 14 or 15. Now is the time to make public comments at The Anomaly forum about which premises interest you and why. This information is helpful for new writers.
(Reminder: you must vote for 3; you may vote for up to 25)
I might believe that my book being listed toward the end is making a difference, except a premise that seems to interest everyone is after it. Sigh.
When I wrote Star of Justice, I had no particular audience or theme in mind. I just wanted to write a great book. That lack of intentionality may hurt me in this contest, but I find I don't care so much. I like my book. People who've read it like it. And some of those people aren't related to me in any way (like my mailman).
Hey, at some point, I owe everyone an Ugly Truth About Rejection post. It's coming, never fear. I like that the people who are posting comments at this time seem to be taking the whole thing seriously. I suspect that makes MLS happy with their grand experiment.
The entire premise contest is based on 620 words: the 20 word premise, 100 word blurb, and first 500 words. That's a lot of pressure for about two pages out of 300. Every participant should be commended for even trying. Right this moment, I wonder how many (like pre-Gene Getz me) didn't try because they were afraid they couldn't do it.
Well, I'm starting my day an hour ahead. I suspect I'll end it an hour behind.
May God bless your day anyway.
For the record, nothing good seems to come of waking up at that time for me. I try to pray for folks until I fall back asleep (if I can), 'cause most folks need it, but at that time, in the dark, when sunrise is still hours away, my mind naturally goes to bad places. All the worries of my waking life find me. Even though I'm talking to God and trying to listen to Him, He seems far away at 4 AM.
Result: today I get up with a knot in my stomach as well as a stuffy nose. I have no reason for the knot. It's just there, annoying me, trying its best to make me grumpy.
Last night, I spent an hour or so at the MLS website looking at the premise contest and the first 20 main contest entries, and reading what other people are saying about both.
(Reminder: check out my How to Register with Marcher Lord Select post to get signed up to be a judge in this contest)
Star of Justice is listed on only one person's I'm going to vote for list, and it was only picked after a second read-through of all the premises. Hey, I'm glad for any press at this point. There are other entries that aren't listed by anyone. Yet.
We're three days into the contest, ten days before actual voting can happen. Now is the time to read and choose what you will vote for on Nov 13, 14 or 15. Now is the time to make public comments at The Anomaly forum about which premises interest you and why. This information is helpful for new writers.
(Reminder: you must vote for 3; you may vote for up to 25)
I might believe that my book being listed toward the end is making a difference, except a premise that seems to interest everyone is after it. Sigh.
When I wrote Star of Justice, I had no particular audience or theme in mind. I just wanted to write a great book. That lack of intentionality may hurt me in this contest, but I find I don't care so much. I like my book. People who've read it like it. And some of those people aren't related to me in any way (like my mailman).
Hey, at some point, I owe everyone an Ugly Truth About Rejection post. It's coming, never fear. I like that the people who are posting comments at this time seem to be taking the whole thing seriously. I suspect that makes MLS happy with their grand experiment.
The entire premise contest is based on 620 words: the 20 word premise, 100 word blurb, and first 500 words. That's a lot of pressure for about two pages out of 300. Every participant should be commended for even trying. Right this moment, I wonder how many (like pre-Gene Getz me) didn't try because they were afraid they couldn't do it.
Well, I'm starting my day an hour ahead. I suspect I'll end it an hour behind.
May God bless your day anyway.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Second Month Evaluation
I'm two months into this blog. Let's pause and reflect, shall we?
I haven't gained any more public followers, although I think, based on outside conversations, I have more readers than I suspect.
I have learned how to post a poll and links and move things around layout-wise.
The thrill of writing daily has faded into duty. I knew it would, as life caught up with me. I suppose as my writing goals become more serious, it is logical my writing about those goals would follow suite (it is suite, right? like suite of cards?). I'm fighting it, though. I want to keep on the sunny side of writing. The weather hasn't helped my mood, but as The Wise Woman would say, "You cannot be princess of others until you are princess of your moods."
Now that the contest has begun, I feel very calm. I suppose that's because it is officially out of my hands.
I want to make it very clear, as I write about the contest, I am fully aware I am over-functioning. In the real world, I would tell you about it and leave it up to you to do as you will. In the real world, that's how I work. Personal responsibility applies to everything, even contests.
However, since this is important to me, and if you're reading this blog it may be important to you, I will help you as much as I can without violating my conscience.
If you notice the time stamp on this post, you may wonder what I'm doing up at this sacred hour.
Cats are no respecters of daylight savings time. Cats won't give you an extra hour of sleep. In fact, cats will wake you up an extra hour early just to make sure you don't forget to wake up at the usual time. We're doing some retraining, but I'm going to be a little fuzzy for the next week or so. My apologies to those of you who must deal with me in the real world.
As far as the contest goes, I read through the prospective premises last night. Turns out I'm very picky about my reading subject matter. A few premises I dismissed out of hand, not because they didn't sound interesting, but because I would never read that kind of book. I tended to be interested in the fantasy ones. Shocking!
Anyway, I've chosen 11 to vote for, so far. I will probably go back and add some. If you've read this blog for any length of time, you know I don't form snap judgments. I have to gather information and mull things over.
I'm following dizzyjam's advice about how to choose. I credited it to Jeff the Publisher, but it's one of his senior members who actually wrote the post.
Keep in mind, some writers don't know how to write a good hook. This doesn't mean their book is bad. In the next round, we'll get the back cover blurb and that might make all the difference in your interest level. If you're remotely interested, there is no harm in voting for it.
I must also admit, I'm looking at the word count. At 166,000 words, Star of Justice is a little over 300 pages single-spaced. I think 100,000 words is the average for a Christian romance novel, and that would be about 250 pages. Some of these premises have 78-80,000 words. I don't know if that means they are amazing writers who know how to make every word count, or beginning writers who have a good idea that's a little thin in execution. Of course, I've read some fantastic books that were small and to the point: The Myth Adventures series by Robert Aspirin springs to mind, or anything by George MacDonald. A book doesn't have to be long to be great. Also, if the story is a great idea but a little thin, I'm sure the publishers/editors would be willing to offer some help in bulking it up.
My dilemma is whether or not to assume these writers are like me. Are they experienced but unpublished? Is this their first foray into the publishing world? Do they have good ideas but lack ambition? (this is me.) Or, are these real newbies, eager to jump into the writing life and get it going but maybe still lacking some skills? Wow, that sounds arrogant even for me.
I'm not saying I've got it all figured out. I don't. But I have read manuscripts that are more eager than coherent. A good story is a balance of many elements. It's hard to do. I've also heard good pitches that were poorly executed. Just because the hook is a zinger doesn't mean the book will deliver.
Hmm. That stream of thought wasn't helpful, was it?
It will be hard to figure out from the tiny slice of writing we're allowed in the premise contest who is capable of presenting a good story. I suppose that is why the prize is a review, not a publishing contract. Marcher Lord Select has already figured this out. It's one of the reasons I like them.
I haven't gained any more public followers, although I think, based on outside conversations, I have more readers than I suspect.
I have learned how to post a poll and links and move things around layout-wise.
The thrill of writing daily has faded into duty. I knew it would, as life caught up with me. I suppose as my writing goals become more serious, it is logical my writing about those goals would follow suite (it is suite, right? like suite of cards?). I'm fighting it, though. I want to keep on the sunny side of writing. The weather hasn't helped my mood, but as The Wise Woman would say, "You cannot be princess of others until you are princess of your moods."
Now that the contest has begun, I feel very calm. I suppose that's because it is officially out of my hands.
I want to make it very clear, as I write about the contest, I am fully aware I am over-functioning. In the real world, I would tell you about it and leave it up to you to do as you will. In the real world, that's how I work. Personal responsibility applies to everything, even contests.
However, since this is important to me, and if you're reading this blog it may be important to you, I will help you as much as I can without violating my conscience.
If you notice the time stamp on this post, you may wonder what I'm doing up at this sacred hour.
Cats are no respecters of daylight savings time. Cats won't give you an extra hour of sleep. In fact, cats will wake you up an extra hour early just to make sure you don't forget to wake up at the usual time. We're doing some retraining, but I'm going to be a little fuzzy for the next week or so. My apologies to those of you who must deal with me in the real world.
As far as the contest goes, I read through the prospective premises last night. Turns out I'm very picky about my reading subject matter. A few premises I dismissed out of hand, not because they didn't sound interesting, but because I would never read that kind of book. I tended to be interested in the fantasy ones. Shocking!
Anyway, I've chosen 11 to vote for, so far. I will probably go back and add some. If you've read this blog for any length of time, you know I don't form snap judgments. I have to gather information and mull things over.
I'm following dizzyjam's advice about how to choose. I credited it to Jeff the Publisher, but it's one of his senior members who actually wrote the post.
Keep in mind, some writers don't know how to write a good hook. This doesn't mean their book is bad. In the next round, we'll get the back cover blurb and that might make all the difference in your interest level. If you're remotely interested, there is no harm in voting for it.
I must also admit, I'm looking at the word count. At 166,000 words, Star of Justice is a little over 300 pages single-spaced. I think 100,000 words is the average for a Christian romance novel, and that would be about 250 pages. Some of these premises have 78-80,000 words. I don't know if that means they are amazing writers who know how to make every word count, or beginning writers who have a good idea that's a little thin in execution. Of course, I've read some fantastic books that were small and to the point: The Myth Adventures series by Robert Aspirin springs to mind, or anything by George MacDonald. A book doesn't have to be long to be great. Also, if the story is a great idea but a little thin, I'm sure the publishers/editors would be willing to offer some help in bulking it up.
My dilemma is whether or not to assume these writers are like me. Are they experienced but unpublished? Is this their first foray into the publishing world? Do they have good ideas but lack ambition? (this is me.) Or, are these real newbies, eager to jump into the writing life and get it going but maybe still lacking some skills? Wow, that sounds arrogant even for me.
I'm not saying I've got it all figured out. I don't. But I have read manuscripts that are more eager than coherent. A good story is a balance of many elements. It's hard to do. I've also heard good pitches that were poorly executed. Just because the hook is a zinger doesn't mean the book will deliver.
Hmm. That stream of thought wasn't helpful, was it?
It will be hard to figure out from the tiny slice of writing we're allowed in the premise contest who is capable of presenting a good story. I suppose that is why the prize is a review, not a publishing contract. Marcher Lord Select has already figured this out. It's one of the reasons I like them.
Monday, November 2, 2009
How to Register with Marcher Lord Select
Marcher Lord Select is up and running. The contest entries are listed. It is time to review and select your favorites.
I know some wonderful folks who are not tech-savvy. This post is for you.
If you click on the link at the left corner of my blog, you will go to the login page for the Marcher Lord Select contest forum. From this page, you may "Create New Account."
Choose your user name (mine is robynnt), a password (I'm not telling you my password, but you choose what you can remember) and enter your email address.
You will receive an activation code in your email inbox to make sure you're real. The code will come from correspondence@proboards. Copy that code (ctrl C) and use the link in the email to complete the registration process by pasting the code (ctrl V) into the form and submitting.
Then you can use the link on my blog to log in directly to the forum with contest information, and you should be good to go.
Most of my readers have my email address and phone number. If you get too stuck, contact me.
Once you're registered and logged in, you will see Phase 1 for the Main Contest and the Premise Contest.
I encourage you to check out both. The main contest winner will actually get published. The premise contest winner will get her manuscript reviewed by the publisher for possible publishing next year. Both ideas are really cool.
Actual voting will be Nov 13-15.
Now is the time to look over the contestants and pick the ones that interest you. Jeff the publisher recommends opening a Notebook file (I don't know how to do this) and saving the names into that. I'm going to type the names into a Word file and save it as Favorite Contest People. Or maybe something shorter. As names get eliminated and moved around, you'll have a list of what you liked in the beginning.
In the premise contest, you'll have to vote for three. This is to dilute the chance of one person dragging a lot of folks in just to vote for one entry. You can vote for up to 25.
Tonight, I'll give you a chance to try the logging in process. You can stay logged in or you can logout using the logout option on the tool bar under and a little to the right of the Y in The Anomaly. I always log out of stuff. I'm a safety girl.
Tomorrow, I'll walk you through the articles Jeff has written about the contest. I encourage you to read them yourself as primary source material, but I'll do my best to summarize accurately for those barely interested.
Now, I'm almost done with my polishing of Star of Justice, so I'll get on with that.
God be with you.
I know some wonderful folks who are not tech-savvy. This post is for you.
If you click on the link at the left corner of my blog, you will go to the login page for the Marcher Lord Select contest forum. From this page, you may "Create New Account."
Choose your user name (mine is robynnt), a password (I'm not telling you my password, but you choose what you can remember) and enter your email address.
You will receive an activation code in your email inbox to make sure you're real. The code will come from correspondence@proboards. Copy that code (ctrl C) and use the link in the email to complete the registration process by pasting the code (ctrl V) into the form and submitting.
Then you can use the link on my blog to log in directly to the forum with contest information, and you should be good to go.
Most of my readers have my email address and phone number. If you get too stuck, contact me.
Once you're registered and logged in, you will see Phase 1 for the Main Contest and the Premise Contest.
I encourage you to check out both. The main contest winner will actually get published. The premise contest winner will get her manuscript reviewed by the publisher for possible publishing next year. Both ideas are really cool.
Actual voting will be Nov 13-15.
Now is the time to look over the contestants and pick the ones that interest you. Jeff the publisher recommends opening a Notebook file (I don't know how to do this) and saving the names into that. I'm going to type the names into a Word file and save it as Favorite Contest People. Or maybe something shorter. As names get eliminated and moved around, you'll have a list of what you liked in the beginning.
In the premise contest, you'll have to vote for three. This is to dilute the chance of one person dragging a lot of folks in just to vote for one entry. You can vote for up to 25.
Tonight, I'll give you a chance to try the logging in process. You can stay logged in or you can logout using the logout option on the tool bar under and a little to the right of the Y in The Anomaly. I always log out of stuff. I'm a safety girl.
Tomorrow, I'll walk you through the articles Jeff has written about the contest. I encourage you to read them yourself as primary source material, but I'll do my best to summarize accurately for those barely interested.
Now, I'm almost done with my polishing of Star of Justice, so I'll get on with that.
God be with you.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Nothing to Say
My "contest break" continued today as I focused on the rest of my life. I'll pick back up with Marcher Lord Select in the morning.
I spent time outside raking leaves and inside watching season 1 of The Mentalist. I met a cousin who talks now and seems to like me (I kept winning prizes at imaginary bingo and imaginary pumpkin carving) and spent time with my grandmother on her birthday (97, I think). I started the morning talking with my Savior and finished the evening talking with the same Guy.
The sun was shining and I think I saw a bank sign with a temp of 77 degrees. I would call it a good day. I should call all days good days, but I'm still biased toward the shining sun.
Since I have so little to write about, please feel free to share your day in the comments section. I'd love to know how my readers are doing.
I spent time outside raking leaves and inside watching season 1 of The Mentalist. I met a cousin who talks now and seems to like me (I kept winning prizes at imaginary bingo and imaginary pumpkin carving) and spent time with my grandmother on her birthday (97, I think). I started the morning talking with my Savior and finished the evening talking with the same Guy.
The sun was shining and I think I saw a bank sign with a temp of 77 degrees. I would call it a good day. I should call all days good days, but I'm still biased toward the shining sun.
Since I have so little to write about, please feel free to share your day in the comments section. I'd love to know how my readers are doing.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Funny Quotes: Beautician and the Beast
I'm a little tired of focusing on the Marcher Lord Select contest, so I'm taking a break today.
The Beautician and the Beast with Fran Drescher and Timothy Dalton was a fluffy little movie with a very old premise: beautiful woman tames savage man. The difference with this movie is the woman is Jewish with a New York accent, and Timothy Dalton is just yummy as the president-for-life (or dictator) of a small European country.
I'd only seen Drescher in The Nanny, but she's got her nasally voice under control in this movie, and it turns out she's a pretty good actress. She has excellent comic timing, anyway.
It's a cutesy little film and I enjoy it more than I should, no doubt. Here are some of my favorite quotes:
"Class, it's called Revlon, not Dutch Boy. What do we say? Flashy, not...?"
"Trashy!"
"You should go for your dream. I did."
"But, Daddy, you run a stationary store."
"That was my dream! I love cards."
"Are you kidding? I could find food at Gandhi's house."
"You're nicer than our old teacher. Her breath smelled like something died farting in her mouth."
"Oi!"
"We didn't study Romeo and Juliet..."
"West Side Story, children."
"Oh! I was aware of the gang problems in New York, but I didn't know they were so proficient in ballet."
"Do I not intimidate you at all?"
"Is one of your sideburns shorter than the other?"
"Mom, what's my chicken eating?"
"Same as the rest of us."
"You fed the chicken chicken?"
"I should make two dinners? I don't have enough to do? Besides, it's delicious."
"It's Silence of the Chickens!"
So, I'm laughing now. Hope you are, too.
The Beautician and the Beast with Fran Drescher and Timothy Dalton was a fluffy little movie with a very old premise: beautiful woman tames savage man. The difference with this movie is the woman is Jewish with a New York accent, and Timothy Dalton is just yummy as the president-for-life (or dictator) of a small European country.
I'd only seen Drescher in The Nanny, but she's got her nasally voice under control in this movie, and it turns out she's a pretty good actress. She has excellent comic timing, anyway.
It's a cutesy little film and I enjoy it more than I should, no doubt. Here are some of my favorite quotes:
"Class, it's called Revlon, not Dutch Boy. What do we say? Flashy, not...?"
"Trashy!"
"You should go for your dream. I did."
"But, Daddy, you run a stationary store."
"That was my dream! I love cards."
"Are you kidding? I could find food at Gandhi's house."
"You're nicer than our old teacher. Her breath smelled like something died farting in her mouth."
"Oi!"
"We didn't study Romeo and Juliet..."
"West Side Story, children."
"Oh! I was aware of the gang problems in New York, but I didn't know they were so proficient in ballet."
"Do I not intimidate you at all?"
"Is one of your sideburns shorter than the other?"
"Mom, what's my chicken eating?"
"Same as the rest of us."
"You fed the chicken chicken?"
"I should make two dinners? I don't have enough to do? Besides, it's delicious."
"It's Silence of the Chickens!"
So, I'm laughing now. Hope you are, too.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Here's How It Will Go
Marcher Lord Select has posted the general rules for voting (very general rules) under a post which bears the same name as this post.
Go to their forum website listed to the left on my blog. I highly recommend saving this link into your favorites or bookmarks or whatever.
Register at the upper right corner. This is free. Choose a user name and a password you'll remember. My user name is robynnt (shocking!) but others choose more creative names. Feel free to improvise.
You'll be allowed access now to the posting sites, but here's the run-down on the contest I entered.
The premise will be posted first and voting will happen mid-November. This may or may not immediately knock out some people. They haven't decided yet.
The back cover blurb will be posted after that. Voting will happen at the end of November and reduce contestants to 20.
The 1 page synopsis will be posted from those 20 and voting will take place on those end of December and cut to the final 10.
The first 500 words will be available for download at that point and voting for the winner will happen end of January. All this is subject to change as they work out the kinks.
So, it could either be a very long winter of alternating fears of success and failure, or it could be a short stint of mocha java chiller-fueled depression and resignation.
Anyhoo, God willing, I'm ready for whatever happens.
So, this could win the prize for the most boring post ever. I'm so bored I'm going to stop writing now.
After I say, my fiction writing...much better than this. I promise.
Go to their forum website listed to the left on my blog. I highly recommend saving this link into your favorites or bookmarks or whatever.
Register at the upper right corner. This is free. Choose a user name and a password you'll remember. My user name is robynnt (shocking!) but others choose more creative names. Feel free to improvise.
You'll be allowed access now to the posting sites, but here's the run-down on the contest I entered.
The premise will be posted first and voting will happen mid-November. This may or may not immediately knock out some people. They haven't decided yet.
The back cover blurb will be posted after that. Voting will happen at the end of November and reduce contestants to 20.
The 1 page synopsis will be posted from those 20 and voting will take place on those end of December and cut to the final 10.
The first 500 words will be available for download at that point and voting for the winner will happen end of January. All this is subject to change as they work out the kinks.
So, it could either be a very long winter of alternating fears of success and failure, or it could be a short stint of mocha java chiller-fueled depression and resignation.
Anyhoo, God willing, I'm ready for whatever happens.
So, this could win the prize for the most boring post ever. I'm so bored I'm going to stop writing now.
After I say, my fiction writing...much better than this. I promise.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
100% Chance for Rain
Today was supposed to be my great day. I submitted the contest info yesterday, and today I could take a deep breath and not worry about anything until next Monday.
It's not turning out that way.
Hmm. This must be real pain. I don't want to write about it.
I have to provide more information to the contest. Either I missed something, some instruction somewhere I am not tech-savvy enough to discover, or I completely misunderstood who may enter the contest. I am waiting to hear back from them, but it makes me sick to my stomach to think I've done something wrong (even if I haven't).
I also discovered an old friend has become a moderate in the intervening years since we last saw one another on a regular basis. This is not a sin. It's not even something I think is necessarily wrong. But when I think of the number of people I know who seemingly cannot see the coming storm...it hurts me inside, way down in my gut, where I don't want to eat, and cannot sleep, and don't know what to do or say. In fact, there is nothing I can do or say. The changing of worldview is for God alone. This is probably something I should reserve for my other blog, but at the moment, the two incidents coming so close together have pretty much knocked me on my back.
I used to call Thursdays "Bite me Thursdays." They were my most hated day of the week. Thursdays are when everyone who put off what they should have done Monday realize that tomorrow is Friday and I need it done NOW! That kind of attitude only makes problems for customer service representatives.
For many years now, Thursdays have been as good as any other day for me. I think it was a change in my attitude, praise God.
But today feels like a "bite me" day, and I hate it.
I will pray for my friend, and pray for my country. I will pray for myself, because I don't want today to be "ruined" because of my mood. I will plod along and have faith that the sun will be out tomorrow, and in the meanwhile, the Son is with me right now.
All hail the power of Jesus' name, let angels prostrate fall, bring forth the royal diadem, and crown Him Lord of All!
Sorry about the downer post, dear readers. Today my heart is heavy. It seems dishonest not to admit it.
It's not turning out that way.
Hmm. This must be real pain. I don't want to write about it.
I have to provide more information to the contest. Either I missed something, some instruction somewhere I am not tech-savvy enough to discover, or I completely misunderstood who may enter the contest. I am waiting to hear back from them, but it makes me sick to my stomach to think I've done something wrong (even if I haven't).
I also discovered an old friend has become a moderate in the intervening years since we last saw one another on a regular basis. This is not a sin. It's not even something I think is necessarily wrong. But when I think of the number of people I know who seemingly cannot see the coming storm...it hurts me inside, way down in my gut, where I don't want to eat, and cannot sleep, and don't know what to do or say. In fact, there is nothing I can do or say. The changing of worldview is for God alone. This is probably something I should reserve for my other blog, but at the moment, the two incidents coming so close together have pretty much knocked me on my back.
I used to call Thursdays "Bite me Thursdays." They were my most hated day of the week. Thursdays are when everyone who put off what they should have done Monday realize that tomorrow is Friday and I need it done NOW! That kind of attitude only makes problems for customer service representatives.
For many years now, Thursdays have been as good as any other day for me. I think it was a change in my attitude, praise God.
But today feels like a "bite me" day, and I hate it.
I will pray for my friend, and pray for my country. I will pray for myself, because I don't want today to be "ruined" because of my mood. I will plod along and have faith that the sun will be out tomorrow, and in the meanwhile, the Son is with me right now.
All hail the power of Jesus' name, let angels prostrate fall, bring forth the royal diadem, and crown Him Lord of All!
Sorry about the downer post, dear readers. Today my heart is heavy. It seems dishonest not to admit it.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
What Now?
The barn door is open, and the horses have eaten the children.
For those of you not familiar with Saturday the 14th, that's a metaphor for I submitted the acquisitions form today.
It was remarkably simple. I checked and double-checked my spelling, spacing, word count, etc. No doubt I missed something anyway. I usually do.
I did make a few minor adjustments before I sent everything. I have no idea if I made it better or I'm just rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic. I guess we'll see.
As far as I can tell, the actual contest starts Nov 1. You may be sure I will be reading the message boards and keeping you informed.
Yesterday (I think) I posted the website address where you can go to register for free and be part of the voting process. I'll try to get that up as a link in this blog for any newbies who join me along the way. I've never been a part of the audience voting thing (I've watched exactly 60 seconds of American Idol - the time it took me to realize what was on, get up and change the channel).
I plan to have another book review for you next month. This book was published by Marcher Lord Press, and will give you an idea of what I'm up against and why I'm so nervous/excited/nervous.
I'm already way behind on my morning's scheduled events, so I'll sign off for now.
Thank you for your support and your prayers.
For those of you not familiar with Saturday the 14th, that's a metaphor for I submitted the acquisitions form today.
It was remarkably simple. I checked and double-checked my spelling, spacing, word count, etc. No doubt I missed something anyway. I usually do.
I did make a few minor adjustments before I sent everything. I have no idea if I made it better or I'm just rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic. I guess we'll see.
As far as I can tell, the actual contest starts Nov 1. You may be sure I will be reading the message boards and keeping you informed.
Yesterday (I think) I posted the website address where you can go to register for free and be part of the voting process. I'll try to get that up as a link in this blog for any newbies who join me along the way. I've never been a part of the audience voting thing (I've watched exactly 60 seconds of American Idol - the time it took me to realize what was on, get up and change the channel).
I plan to have another book review for you next month. This book was published by Marcher Lord Press, and will give you an idea of what I'm up against and why I'm so nervous/excited/nervous.
I'm already way behind on my morning's scheduled events, so I'll sign off for now.
Thank you for your support and your prayers.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
One More Day
Last day, Capricorn fifteens, year of the city 2274.
I'm not going to be blown up tomorrow (at least, I hope not), but that line from Logan's Run keeps going through my head.
I've got all my words in order. I read over them every time I sit down. I think, without actually hiring a professional (professional what I couldn't tell you), I'm as ready as I'm going to be.
I comfort myself with the thought that I have as much chance as anyone else (like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory). Since the judges are the audience themselves, this is a relatively cheap way to find out if anyone would read Star of Justice based entirely on a 20-word premise.
I find myself impatient to be done. If I'm rejected, let it be quickly. If I'm accepted...ooooh, there's the nausea.
I'm tempted to submit today. I don't see any great flashes of inspiration coming in the next 24 hours, but you never know. Murphy's Law tells me five minutes after I submit, I'll have the best idea ever for how to arrange things. Nothing I can do about Murphy.
I haven't treated this like a high school paper. You know, the putting off and putting off until the very last night when you scramble until 2 AM to throw something together? Maybe some of you didn't do that.
I learned in college that procrastination doesn't really help anything. I've treated this contest, and the submission process prior to this contest, like something I wanted to do, something important and life-changing. Maybe because it could be.
I'll wait one more day. I'm almost half-way through the editing process for the manuscript. Keli Gwyn calls it polishing (she's one of the bloggers I follow). That's as good a descriptor as any. I can't believe it's taking me so long. It's not like I'm rewriting anything. Mostly, I'm inserting reasonable chapter breaks. Of course, it might be faster if I didn't have a cat in my lap and one on the computer desk with his tail in the way, but maybe not. At this rate, I'll have Star of Justice polished on schedule by Nov 1, which meets both my original deadline and should have it ready in case I go to the next level in the contest. That's when I'll blow up.
Last day, Scorpio twenty-fours...
I'm not going to be blown up tomorrow (at least, I hope not), but that line from Logan's Run keeps going through my head.
I've got all my words in order. I read over them every time I sit down. I think, without actually hiring a professional (professional what I couldn't tell you), I'm as ready as I'm going to be.
I comfort myself with the thought that I have as much chance as anyone else (like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory). Since the judges are the audience themselves, this is a relatively cheap way to find out if anyone would read Star of Justice based entirely on a 20-word premise.
I find myself impatient to be done. If I'm rejected, let it be quickly. If I'm accepted...ooooh, there's the nausea.
I'm tempted to submit today. I don't see any great flashes of inspiration coming in the next 24 hours, but you never know. Murphy's Law tells me five minutes after I submit, I'll have the best idea ever for how to arrange things. Nothing I can do about Murphy.
I haven't treated this like a high school paper. You know, the putting off and putting off until the very last night when you scramble until 2 AM to throw something together? Maybe some of you didn't do that.
I learned in college that procrastination doesn't really help anything. I've treated this contest, and the submission process prior to this contest, like something I wanted to do, something important and life-changing. Maybe because it could be.
I'll wait one more day. I'm almost half-way through the editing process for the manuscript. Keli Gwyn calls it polishing (she's one of the bloggers I follow). That's as good a descriptor as any. I can't believe it's taking me so long. It's not like I'm rewriting anything. Mostly, I'm inserting reasonable chapter breaks. Of course, it might be faster if I didn't have a cat in my lap and one on the computer desk with his tail in the way, but maybe not. At this rate, I'll have Star of Justice polished on schedule by Nov 1, which meets both my original deadline and should have it ready in case I go to the next level in the contest. That's when I'll blow up.
Last day, Scorpio twenty-fours...
Monday, October 26, 2009
I'm Confused
I spent some time this morning going to the MLP forum website (?) The Anomaly at http://wherethemapends.proboards.com/index.cgi. Apparently, this blog doesn't let me copy and paste links. Grrr.
Anyway, I'm not familiar with message boards, or forums, or new websites where I have to pick through pages of material looking for instruction. I've never been on such a thing before, to my knowledge. Old-fashioned turtle, remember? It's a bit confusing and a little anxiety-producing.
The Marcher Lord Select site, which hosts the contest I'm entering, has several articles about the contest, but even though they say New, they seem to be dated Old. I'm also getting the idea I might need to have the first 60 pages ready to submit, which I do, but I don't remember that from the rules that I received. I'll probably be emailing the contest info I do have to my friends and family so you all can log into The Anomaly and vote (hopefully for me, but I really would rather you voted for the book you like the best. If it happens to be mine, Woo-Hoo!). You may also use the above link to do so. You have to register, but it's free and mostly painless.
It sounds like there are more than 60 entrants so far. Better than 1000s.
I'm starting to freak out a little again, but that is to be expected. I'm submitting in two days, and after that, it's out of my hands. Like it was ever in my hands to start.
I do encourage you to take a look at MLP's website, whether you register or not. These guys are doing a real service to Christian fiction readers who don't fall into the otherwise huge category of married, white females who read romance that the regular Christian bookstores support. They give me hope that not only can my stories get published, but they will be read, too, if people like me know they're out there.
In a society where books about vampires and drug addicts seem to top the list of general favorites, MLP offers a more palatable option.
Anyway, I'm not familiar with message boards, or forums, or new websites where I have to pick through pages of material looking for instruction. I've never been on such a thing before, to my knowledge. Old-fashioned turtle, remember? It's a bit confusing and a little anxiety-producing.
The Marcher Lord Select site, which hosts the contest I'm entering, has several articles about the contest, but even though they say New, they seem to be dated Old. I'm also getting the idea I might need to have the first 60 pages ready to submit, which I do, but I don't remember that from the rules that I received. I'll probably be emailing the contest info I do have to my friends and family so you all can log into The Anomaly and vote (hopefully for me, but I really would rather you voted for the book you like the best. If it happens to be mine, Woo-Hoo!). You may also use the above link to do so. You have to register, but it's free and mostly painless.
It sounds like there are more than 60 entrants so far. Better than 1000s.
I'm starting to freak out a little again, but that is to be expected. I'm submitting in two days, and after that, it's out of my hands. Like it was ever in my hands to start.
I do encourage you to take a look at MLP's website, whether you register or not. These guys are doing a real service to Christian fiction readers who don't fall into the otherwise huge category of married, white females who read romance that the regular Christian bookstores support. They give me hope that not only can my stories get published, but they will be read, too, if people like me know they're out there.
In a society where books about vampires and drug addicts seem to top the list of general favorites, MLP offers a more palatable option.
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