- I am now three books into the James Patterson series of Max Ride books. They are FANTASTIC!! Mr. Patterson has created a fun, family-friendly series that has kept me on the edge of my seat with his action-packed scenes and witty dialogue. I highly recommend them and I will admit that I look up to his writing style immensely!!
- Bravo to every single individual involved in the LeBron James spectacle in Miami. You all had a hand in redefining the phrase "shameless self-promotion." That was surreal in a ridiculous, down-right nauseating way. I don't care if all you did was park cars at that event I still judge you for the role you played.
- As I watch "Finding Nemo" with my kids it occurs to me that Dory is actually quite wise. To quote her directly, "When life gets you down ya know what ya gotta do? Just keep swimming, just keep swimming, just keep swimming, swimming, swimming." That is very insightful for the memory deficient fish. Sometimes that really is all we can do; just keep swimming. And perhaps sing her little song too, if for no other reason than it would lighten the mood.
-The author that offered to read my book sent me an emailing saying he was going to take his time reading and "digesting it." Doing my best not to translate that to "chew it up and spit it out." And if he does in fact do that, know what I'll do? That's right! Just keep swimming, just keep swimming, just keep swimming, swimming, swimming. What will I do? I'll swim, swim, swim!
Author Stacey Rourke
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Oh-boy...
I decided I was going to take a new avenue to getting published. I did some networking and connected with an established author with numerous published works under his belt. On a whim I asked him to critique my work and if he found it worthy to recommend it to his publisher. Kind person he is, he agreed.
Now I am so nervous I maybe giving myself an ulcer. This gentleman teaches classes on writing! He has books on shelves and knows what it takes to appeal to readers. I have had agents, editors, friends and family read my book, but never an established author. I find it so daunt my lunch is threatening to make a second appearance. Which is ridiculous because much like every aspect of the literary world his opinion is completely subjective.
Even if he doesn't choose to offer up the recommendation he may have some feedback to help improve upon my book, so it wouldn't be a total loss. I guess I should also find it reassuring that he's a writer so even if he hates it he will find an eloquent way to tell me so. Yet neither of these things are calming my frazzled nerves. I know this isn't the be-all, end-all but I still think I may drink an entire bottle of Pepto before the day is through.
Now I am so nervous I maybe giving myself an ulcer. This gentleman teaches classes on writing! He has books on shelves and knows what it takes to appeal to readers. I have had agents, editors, friends and family read my book, but never an established author. I find it so daunt my lunch is threatening to make a second appearance. Which is ridiculous because much like every aspect of the literary world his opinion is completely subjective.
Even if he doesn't choose to offer up the recommendation he may have some feedback to help improve upon my book, so it wouldn't be a total loss. I guess I should also find it reassuring that he's a writer so even if he hates it he will find an eloquent way to tell me so. Yet neither of these things are calming my frazzled nerves. I know this isn't the be-all, end-all but I still think I may drink an entire bottle of Pepto before the day is through.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
TANTRUM PERSUASION
Once again I am gathering up my submission materials to send out in my long and trying quest to get my novel published. At this point I am suppressing the urge to grab agents/publishers by the collar and threaten their physical well being if they reject me again. (I have their mailing addresses. I'm just saying, the option is there.) If that doesn't work I could then fall into a heap on the floor and throw the mother of all temper tantrums. I've watched my kids do it for four years; I could imitate it pretty darn convincingly. However better judgement tells me that may not be the impression I want to make. If I can get published without anyone filing for a restraining order I will consider that a major win for me.
Yet hope springs eternal and I am still hopeful for a favorable outcome. Maybe this round won't lead to publication, but it could lead to further feedback to improve upon my manuscript and that too is a wonderful thing. I think back to my first draft of THE CONDUIT; it was a very different story then. Time, editing and feedback are polishing it up to the sparkling jewel I knew it could be. When it shines enough on its own the right person will read it and doors will open. Until then I have to keep pushing on.
I will admit it's difficult because there is no set blue print for how long this journey will be. Stephanie Meyer sent out less than twenty query letters before being scooped up by Writer's House Literary Agency. Stephen King on the other hand received so many rejections for Carrie that he threw the manuscript away! It was his wife that pulled it out of the garbage and continued to submit it for him. But neither of those are Stacey Rourke's publication story. Hers is yet to be determined. I've already invested too much not to at least wait it out and see how it ends.
So I shall bite the bullet and send my materials out again. And don't worry, if I start to get the gnawing desire to physically persuade someone to come around to my way of thinking I'll put myself in timeout.
Yet hope springs eternal and I am still hopeful for a favorable outcome. Maybe this round won't lead to publication, but it could lead to further feedback to improve upon my manuscript and that too is a wonderful thing. I think back to my first draft of THE CONDUIT; it was a very different story then. Time, editing and feedback are polishing it up to the sparkling jewel I knew it could be. When it shines enough on its own the right person will read it and doors will open. Until then I have to keep pushing on.
I will admit it's difficult because there is no set blue print for how long this journey will be. Stephanie Meyer sent out less than twenty query letters before being scooped up by Writer's House Literary Agency. Stephen King on the other hand received so many rejections for Carrie that he threw the manuscript away! It was his wife that pulled it out of the garbage and continued to submit it for him. But neither of those are Stacey Rourke's publication story. Hers is yet to be determined. I've already invested too much not to at least wait it out and see how it ends.
So I shall bite the bullet and send my materials out again. And don't worry, if I start to get the gnawing desire to physically persuade someone to come around to my way of thinking I'll put myself in timeout.
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