What's the difference between being famous and being almost-famous? Time's up. I'm not sure about the famous part, but I had a chance to become almost-famous by appearing in the same article with Shanna Swendson, author of the magical chick lit novel, ENCHANTED, INC. and Lauren Baratz-Logsted, author of the amazing chick lit novel, A LITTLE CHANGE OF FACE thanks to M.E. Wood, "commonly called Mo," who who is in our chick lit group and is Bella Online's Literary Fiction Editor. The link is here, but please come back as there is a point to all this drivel, believe me.
Okay, you're gonna ask sooner or later, so I might as well tell you how a relationship expert and author of a book on soul mate stories knows doodley-squat about chick lit, other than reading them. Ever been in high school and there was a group of girls that had just about everything from their own Ferrari and a bedroom that they didn't have to share with their siblings done up in pink and white and of course they had the canopy bed to die for and you had to share a bed with your sister that snored? Heh. Well, a little reflection there. Actually, there was a group of girls who seemed to have everything - perfect grades, DATES, teacher's attention, DATES, clothes from only the best stores, DATES...well, you get the picture.
This is how it was for me...I became one of THEM, thanks to Mo, who so kindly overlooked the fact that I wasn't published in the chick lit genre YET, but I must have made a little bit of sense for her to MOsie me in there.
It was like taking a peek of what the boy's locker room looked like and was well really cool. Maybe one day I'll actually have a locker there.
But, getting back to why little ol' me might know beans about the chick lit genre, here it is. I am part of a wonderful group called simply CHICKLIT, in which there are nearly 1,000 members. This group is awesome. It was there I picked up the muse and started on my own chick lit, after finishing the hen lit, which is being shopped around as we speak. I also READ chick lit, which some reviewers who claim that it's not "literary," must not claim to do even though they are quick to criticize. This article is one of many floating around the net that is trying to convey the message to the reading and buying public that chick lit books are more than what you see in context. There are messages in them and it's these messages that the authors of these cool as shit books want you to hear. If you're looking for a book that will stimulate your inner goddess (or god), these are it. If you're looking for a fun read, these are it. If you're looking for something close to Shakespeare, these aren't for you, and you must realize that before you start into one. One of the most fun reads I've had ever was by Marianne Mancusi called A CONNECTICUT FASHIONISTA IN KING ARTHUR'S COURT. While I'm older than most chick lit readers, I thoroughly enjoyed the book and didn't want to put it down. Perhaps there's a little "chick" in all of us wanting to escape through these books and have a good time, rather than a serious time, who knows?
So, as you can see, I do know a little bit about the genre and am continually reading to perfect the craft. As I said in the interview, "It's a whole different banana." Just remember, these "bananas"could be just what the doctor ordered. Read a few and get a feel for them. You'll never know what you missed if you don't.
Tuesday, September 27, 2005
Monday, September 26, 2005
First Story Remembrances
I've already blogged today, but just had to add this before I forget. After blood work today (nothing serious...just getting things checked out), I came home and immediately wanted to clean - fathom that - but because of my sore arm, that was impossible, so I opened up my email.
One such email was from a man named Chris Holm, who was asking if I'd list his blog in my blog listings on my website at The Writer's Life. Well, I went over and checked his blog out to make sure it wasn't X-rated, if youknowwhattamean, and for the first time this morning, I laughed.
The link is here if you'd like to read. He's just like all of us, waiting for that Big Break, and the story he told of that first story he ever wrote at the age of six was just utterly charming. And what I found so coincidental was that his first story that he wrote as a child had the same theme as what he is writing now.
Think back to when you were a child. What kind of things did you like to write about and are they basically the same type of stories you are writing now?
When I was a child, eight years old in fact, I wrote a story about my vacation in Long Beach, California. It was one of those normal school assignments where your teacher welcomes you back to school after a long, wonderful summer and bangs you on the head with that first assignment - write a story about your summer vacation sort of thing. I knew what I was going to write about, but wanted my story to be a book and not just a story so what I did was take unlined sheets of paper, fold them in half and punched holes in the side. I ran yarn through the holes to keep them together and wrote and illustrated my very first book. Oh, how I'd love to get my hands on that now. I take it back to school and of course I'm the oddball being the only one who would go to that extreme of making a book, but I did get an A and probably scored a few brownie points from the teacher which would come in handy when I wanted to do things that weren't allowed. Come on now, we've all done it.
But, Chris' blog post made me think of how long we've had these stories in our heads...all the way up to childhood. My book right now is about 3 women from California, the little book I made in second grade was about a trip to California, too. Wonder if this is a sign? A good sign?
I also remember writing up plays for the kids in the neighborhood and I even dabbled in some poetry, but that story will remain my favorite story I tell to everyone when they ask me about my first book. It might not be my first published book, but it's the one I'll never forget.
One such email was from a man named Chris Holm, who was asking if I'd list his blog in my blog listings on my website at The Writer's Life. Well, I went over and checked his blog out to make sure it wasn't X-rated, if youknowwhattamean, and for the first time this morning, I laughed.
The link is here if you'd like to read. He's just like all of us, waiting for that Big Break, and the story he told of that first story he ever wrote at the age of six was just utterly charming. And what I found so coincidental was that his first story that he wrote as a child had the same theme as what he is writing now.
Think back to when you were a child. What kind of things did you like to write about and are they basically the same type of stories you are writing now?
When I was a child, eight years old in fact, I wrote a story about my vacation in Long Beach, California. It was one of those normal school assignments where your teacher welcomes you back to school after a long, wonderful summer and bangs you on the head with that first assignment - write a story about your summer vacation sort of thing. I knew what I was going to write about, but wanted my story to be a book and not just a story so what I did was take unlined sheets of paper, fold them in half and punched holes in the side. I ran yarn through the holes to keep them together and wrote and illustrated my very first book. Oh, how I'd love to get my hands on that now. I take it back to school and of course I'm the oddball being the only one who would go to that extreme of making a book, but I did get an A and probably scored a few brownie points from the teacher which would come in handy when I wanted to do things that weren't allowed. Come on now, we've all done it.
But, Chris' blog post made me think of how long we've had these stories in our heads...all the way up to childhood. My book right now is about 3 women from California, the little book I made in second grade was about a trip to California, too. Wonder if this is a sign? A good sign?
I also remember writing up plays for the kids in the neighborhood and I even dabbled in some poetry, but that story will remain my favorite story I tell to everyone when they ask me about my first book. It might not be my first published book, but it's the one I'll never forget.
Romancing the Soul Breaks Record in Amazon Rankings
Last night, RTS broke its' record of 76,707 on July 19, '05 for a new record high of 55,933! Woo-hoo!
As always, I try to figure out what happened to change the rankings and the only thing I can contribute it to is the Single Talk Radio Show that aired two days ago, plus the press releases I sent out to announce it. Which goes to show me that as long as I keep promoting this book, it'll sell.
After the show, I watched not only my Amazon stats, but my website and blog stats as well. My website showed no real increase, which really surprised me and I figured that the radio show wasn't going to make much difference in whether my book was going to sell or not. My blog always has good traffic, but that didn't receive any significant change.
I looked at the overall picture of both the website and blog and noticed that most of the hits were at the beginning of the month and that they were very significant. What happened at the beginning of the month to cause an increase of hits?
Well, I looked into my log and I discovered what happened.
The press releases to announce the show went out at the first of the month!
This happened to me the last time I noticed a significant change in my Amazon rankings, too. So, for me anyway, press releases seem to be what is moving this book. Interesting, huh?
The most amusing thing about this is, I sent the announcement of this radio show appearance to six free press release sites, which didn't cost me a thing.
On September 22, two days before the show, I did pay at PRWeb.com, simply because I like to watch the stats on how many in the media pick it up. Since then, which was four days ago, I've had 86,974 people read the release, 258 members of the media have picked it up, and there have been 8 people who actually printed it out. Cool, eh?
It's interesting to see how your book moves and since there's no other way of telling short of emailing my publisher to see how it is doing on her end, this is the only way I know of to know whether my promotional efforts are paying off. So, what I've learned is to keep those press releases coming. I'll be having a new one come out to announce my new soul mate advice website in another week, so I'll keep you informed. Bottom line, it's up to you to keep your book moving. If you don't do anything to promote, the book will die. And after all the hard work we've put into it, we can't let that happen!
As always, I try to figure out what happened to change the rankings and the only thing I can contribute it to is the Single Talk Radio Show that aired two days ago, plus the press releases I sent out to announce it. Which goes to show me that as long as I keep promoting this book, it'll sell.
After the show, I watched not only my Amazon stats, but my website and blog stats as well. My website showed no real increase, which really surprised me and I figured that the radio show wasn't going to make much difference in whether my book was going to sell or not. My blog always has good traffic, but that didn't receive any significant change.
I looked at the overall picture of both the website and blog and noticed that most of the hits were at the beginning of the month and that they were very significant. What happened at the beginning of the month to cause an increase of hits?
Well, I looked into my log and I discovered what happened.
The press releases to announce the show went out at the first of the month!
This happened to me the last time I noticed a significant change in my Amazon rankings, too. So, for me anyway, press releases seem to be what is moving this book. Interesting, huh?
The most amusing thing about this is, I sent the announcement of this radio show appearance to six free press release sites, which didn't cost me a thing.
On September 22, two days before the show, I did pay at PRWeb.com, simply because I like to watch the stats on how many in the media pick it up. Since then, which was four days ago, I've had 86,974 people read the release, 258 members of the media have picked it up, and there have been 8 people who actually printed it out. Cool, eh?
It's interesting to see how your book moves and since there's no other way of telling short of emailing my publisher to see how it is doing on her end, this is the only way I know of to know whether my promotional efforts are paying off. So, what I've learned is to keep those press releases coming. I'll be having a new one come out to announce my new soul mate advice website in another week, so I'll keep you informed. Bottom line, it's up to you to keep your book moving. If you don't do anything to promote, the book will die. And after all the hard work we've put into it, we can't let that happen!
Saturday, September 24, 2005
THE INTERVIEW
The radio show went great. I think. It's not up in the archives yet, so I have no idea how I sounded and maybe I really don't want to know. I used to have one of those old-fashioned tape recorders...you know the kind...two reels of tape that were always getting tangled up if you left them on your bedroom floor instead of putting them where they belong. I wasn't exactly a neat nik when I was a kid. Ack. Anyway, I used to have one of those things and as a matter of fact, it's still in my attic, but when I would listen to myself, it was like who is this person? Ewk and gag me with a spoon. Actually, I have a friend, Jess, who told me I sounded pretty darn spiffy for someone who smokes. Gotta love that Bahama Mama.
The guys on my group, The Writer's Life, congratulated me...a big thanks goes to Barbara, Janet and Myriam! Actually, I had one call-in and I think it was Myriam!
The girls at Single Talk really put me through the wringer...asking me stuff I'm supposed to know about...lol...did they realize that I was a bundle of nerves? Hope not. I have to admit, the answers came pretty fast...maybe my twin soul was pulling for me...thank you, Mark, wherever you are!
For those that don't know, Mark is the reason why the whole Romancing the Soul even got started. I knew him for a year and then he died. A week after he died, he came to me and told me to put this book together, even naming it. I thought that was so cool. I, of course, couldn't change the name or mess up whatever good vibrations he had from the upper realm. I'm not stupid. GRIN.
Well, it's back to the grind. Stardom is sooooo short-lived. I have to finish revising this book to send to the agents and I've procrastinated long enough. It's really tough to write one book and promote another at the same time, but where there's a will, there's a way.
Off to work...groan....
The guys on my group, The Writer's Life, congratulated me...a big thanks goes to Barbara, Janet and Myriam! Actually, I had one call-in and I think it was Myriam!
The girls at Single Talk really put me through the wringer...asking me stuff I'm supposed to know about...lol...did they realize that I was a bundle of nerves? Hope not. I have to admit, the answers came pretty fast...maybe my twin soul was pulling for me...thank you, Mark, wherever you are!
For those that don't know, Mark is the reason why the whole Romancing the Soul even got started. I knew him for a year and then he died. A week after he died, he came to me and told me to put this book together, even naming it. I thought that was so cool. I, of course, couldn't change the name or mess up whatever good vibrations he had from the upper realm. I'm not stupid. GRIN.
Well, it's back to the grind. Stardom is sooooo short-lived. I have to finish revising this book to send to the agents and I've procrastinated long enough. It's really tough to write one book and promote another at the same time, but where there's a will, there's a way.
Off to work...groan....
"Single Talk" Radio Interview Today!
I will be on the Single Talk Radio Show today which you can hear live on the web at http://www.worldtalkradio.com/show.asp?sid=191. If you are the first to email Eliza at SingleTalk@adelphia.net with a soul mate question, you will receive a free autographed copy of my book, ROMANCING THE SOUL! If you do miss the show, it will be archived. I believe I'm the last segment at 4:40 EST (adjust to your geographical location), but you might want to tune in earlier to catch the other guests who are talking about soul mates, also. So, join me as we explore the secrets of why you need soul mates in order to find your higher self!
Thursday, September 22, 2005
Chick Lit--More Than Just Gum
I actually read a "good" article in the Lifestyles Valley Advocate about chick lit books for once. Kendra Thurlow starts out by telling us:
Which those who write the craft already know. Personally, I love the pink packaging and I think it really personifies the genre, giving it a distinct difference in all those other women fiction books out there. But, I see this changing in the future. I think people are going to get bubble-gummed out and perhaps try out a new color...we'll see in the future.
Thurlow goes on to say that chick lit's roots goes back to Jane Austen who wrote "Pride and Prejudice" and that "Bridget Jones' Diary is just a retelling of "Pride and Prejudice" and that is one reason the British Chick Lit authors have "rung a loud bell with the audience."
She also goes on to say:
I personally love chick lit. After reading Marianne Mancusi's "A Connecticut Fashionista in King Arthur's Court - my first chick lit read ever - I was hooked. I love the light reading and I feel that this is the one thing that critics pounce on. While they are not meant to be literary, they are still very enjoyable to read. That's not to say they shouldn't be taken seriously in the industry.
If you would like to read the rest of Thurlow's article, visit http://valleyadvocate.com/gbase/Lifestyle/content?oid=oid:126811.
"They're dressed in bubble gum-colored jackets. They accessorize with Manolo
Blahniks, Gucci handbags and Jimmy Choo slingbacks. They clog the display tables
at Barnes and Noble, silently daring you to ignore their flashy packaging.
They are chick lit. Many publishing houses, like Pocket Books, Kensington,
Red Dress Ink and Harlequin, have created their own imprints, devoted entirely
to chick lit. But chick lit isn't exactly the new kid on the block--more like
the one who got rid of her braces and started working out. "
Which those who write the craft already know. Personally, I love the pink packaging and I think it really personifies the genre, giving it a distinct difference in all those other women fiction books out there. But, I see this changing in the future. I think people are going to get bubble-gummed out and perhaps try out a new color...we'll see in the future.
Thurlow goes on to say that chick lit's roots goes back to Jane Austen who wrote "Pride and Prejudice" and that "Bridget Jones' Diary is just a retelling of "Pride and Prejudice" and that is one reason the British Chick Lit authors have "rung a loud bell with the audience."
She also goes on to say:
"Many critics view chick lit as a subgenre of romance novels. While thereWhile it may pertain to some chick lit books out there, I don't think this applies to hen lit (a subgenre of chick lit), although it might apply in some cases. Having written a "hen lit" myself, high love and sexual content is rarely mentioned in my book. There are hints of it in my book, but love and sex is not what my book is all about. It's about three women looking for their inner goddess - something they thought they had lost. "Thought" is the key word here. So, basically, it's about a woman's inner journey and not necessarily about their outer journey filled with material things that some of the chick lit books do have.
are similarities--both types of books have high love and sexual content--the
distinction is clear."
I personally love chick lit. After reading Marianne Mancusi's "A Connecticut Fashionista in King Arthur's Court - my first chick lit read ever - I was hooked. I love the light reading and I feel that this is the one thing that critics pounce on. While they are not meant to be literary, they are still very enjoyable to read. That's not to say they shouldn't be taken seriously in the industry.
If you would like to read the rest of Thurlow's article, visit http://valleyadvocate.com/gbase/Lifestyle/content?oid=oid:126811.
Sunday, September 18, 2005
Fun Day at the ER
I have had the day from hell. Let me back up...
Last night, my daughter, Melissa, somehow poked herself in the eye with broom handle at work and she called me, crying, asking if I'd come get her being as she couldn't see to drive. I pick her up and it's worse than I thought. Her eye was swollen and she was in considerable pain. I asked her if she wanted to go to the emergency room and she said, no, just take me home.
At exactly 7:30 this morning, she's banging the door down and pleading with me to take her to the ER. She is in incredible pain and I am completely disoriented...because I have this ritual I do every morning and without it, I'm immobile, incoherent and good for nothing.
My ritual involves getting up and smoking a cig (I know bad me) and opening up my email. This is the only thing that wakes me up and I need this to begin my day. Those with rituals might understand this.
But those without rituals who can jump up and begin their day like any other normal human being - which I never claimed to be - don't understand this and my daughter is one of them.
So, here we have someone in need of dire medical attention and needs to go to the ER, and I'm sitting at the computer reading my email. Still completely disoriented, I remember apologizing to her, saying I have to do this if she wanted me to be able to take her down there and she's being very patient, lying there on the sofa like she's half-dead. While I'm trying to wake up, the only thing I could think about was what the hell do I have to wear. Was it hot enough for shorts or cool enough for jeans? Do I take a shower or pull my hair up in a loose bun?
I chose the shower thing hoping I'd wake up, which up to this point was still not happening. I didn't sleep well and I think I maybe had a couple hours sleep tops, so I was really in the no-brain zone.
So, I got out of the shower and found a t-shirt and opted for shorts knowing me and my hot flashes and told her to go on and get up and change. I walk back in her room and she has chosen an outfit that is completely - how do I want to put that - something you would put on to go to bed? The t-shirt was okay but the sweatpant thingee she had going on did not even come close to matching her shirt and what's up with boots this time of year?
I wanted to say something but I knew she was in pain, so I just casually mentioned that they didn't match and she replying with she didn't care.
We finally make it to the hospital and find out that she has cut her eyeball - in the doc's own words, a corneal abrasion. I am to administer these special eye drops once every two hours and then put these other special eye drops in her eye 4 times a day. They really expect me to do this, too. Supposedly, she'll be good as new anywhere from 24 - 48 hours. So far, I don't see much of a difference but it's only been a few hours.
So, she comes out from her bedroom a little while ago and asks me to fix her something to eat (keep in mind, she's playing the blind person to the hilt). I get up to fix her a TV dinner, and pour her a glass of Pepsi. So, we're sitting here, going over the day's events and I tell her about her fashion blunder and my ritual act and she said, "Some day, we're going to have a laugh over this."
And she was right. But, isn't that like me, though? Even in an emergency involving my own flesh and blood, I still gotta have my computer fix before I can even begin to tackle a thing. Something's definitely wrong with this picture. Do I need help or what?
Last night, my daughter, Melissa, somehow poked herself in the eye with broom handle at work and she called me, crying, asking if I'd come get her being as she couldn't see to drive. I pick her up and it's worse than I thought. Her eye was swollen and she was in considerable pain. I asked her if she wanted to go to the emergency room and she said, no, just take me home.
At exactly 7:30 this morning, she's banging the door down and pleading with me to take her to the ER. She is in incredible pain and I am completely disoriented...because I have this ritual I do every morning and without it, I'm immobile, incoherent and good for nothing.
My ritual involves getting up and smoking a cig (I know bad me) and opening up my email. This is the only thing that wakes me up and I need this to begin my day. Those with rituals might understand this.
But those without rituals who can jump up and begin their day like any other normal human being - which I never claimed to be - don't understand this and my daughter is one of them.
So, here we have someone in need of dire medical attention and needs to go to the ER, and I'm sitting at the computer reading my email. Still completely disoriented, I remember apologizing to her, saying I have to do this if she wanted me to be able to take her down there and she's being very patient, lying there on the sofa like she's half-dead. While I'm trying to wake up, the only thing I could think about was what the hell do I have to wear. Was it hot enough for shorts or cool enough for jeans? Do I take a shower or pull my hair up in a loose bun?
I chose the shower thing hoping I'd wake up, which up to this point was still not happening. I didn't sleep well and I think I maybe had a couple hours sleep tops, so I was really in the no-brain zone.
So, I got out of the shower and found a t-shirt and opted for shorts knowing me and my hot flashes and told her to go on and get up and change. I walk back in her room and she has chosen an outfit that is completely - how do I want to put that - something you would put on to go to bed? The t-shirt was okay but the sweatpant thingee she had going on did not even come close to matching her shirt and what's up with boots this time of year?
I wanted to say something but I knew she was in pain, so I just casually mentioned that they didn't match and she replying with she didn't care.
We finally make it to the hospital and find out that she has cut her eyeball - in the doc's own words, a corneal abrasion. I am to administer these special eye drops once every two hours and then put these other special eye drops in her eye 4 times a day. They really expect me to do this, too. Supposedly, she'll be good as new anywhere from 24 - 48 hours. So far, I don't see much of a difference but it's only been a few hours.
So, she comes out from her bedroom a little while ago and asks me to fix her something to eat (keep in mind, she's playing the blind person to the hilt). I get up to fix her a TV dinner, and pour her a glass of Pepsi. So, we're sitting here, going over the day's events and I tell her about her fashion blunder and my ritual act and she said, "Some day, we're going to have a laugh over this."
And she was right. But, isn't that like me, though? Even in an emergency involving my own flesh and blood, I still gotta have my computer fix before I can even begin to tackle a thing. Something's definitely wrong with this picture. Do I need help or what?
Monday, September 12, 2005
Romancing the Soul is Zumaya's #1 Bestseller at Amazon!!!
I am going through the roof!!!!
I just checked my rankings at Amazon for Zumaya's bestsellers and my book, Romancing the Soul has the #1 spot!!!!
Oh, be still, my weak heart.
This is the first time this has ever happened and the funny part about it is, I HAVE NO IDEA WHY.
Promotion. Promotion. Promotion.
I send out columns every month which appears on online relationship and New Age ezines, who, in turn, syndicates them to other places.
I do radio interviews at 5:00 in the morning.
I not only have a personal author website, but also a soul mate advice website.
I have five blogs and all of them can be related to my book. One such place is called "Are You My Soul Mate" which has stayed in the number one spot on AOL search and MSN search for months.
I help people with their soul mate questions by answering their questions personally without charge. Free. Find out here.
I also have a newsletter which has over a hundred subscribers and offer a free tips report called "Ten Tips To Identify Your Soul Mates" by signing up.
Maybe all this adds up to a number one spot? Who knows, but for the moment (that's about how long those Amazon rankings last), I'm going to revel in my glory and sit outside in my swinging chair and thank the Good Lord and Goddesses for all they have done for me.
Ahhhh...nice morning....
I just checked my rankings at Amazon for Zumaya's bestsellers and my book, Romancing the Soul has the #1 spot!!!!
Oh, be still, my weak heart.
This is the first time this has ever happened and the funny part about it is, I HAVE NO IDEA WHY.
Promotion. Promotion. Promotion.
I send out columns every month which appears on online relationship and New Age ezines, who, in turn, syndicates them to other places.
I do radio interviews at 5:00 in the morning.
I not only have a personal author website, but also a soul mate advice website.
I have five blogs and all of them can be related to my book. One such place is called "Are You My Soul Mate" which has stayed in the number one spot on AOL search and MSN search for months.
I help people with their soul mate questions by answering their questions personally without charge. Free. Find out here.
I also have a newsletter which has over a hundred subscribers and offer a free tips report called "Ten Tips To Identify Your Soul Mates" by signing up.
Maybe all this adds up to a number one spot? Who knows, but for the moment (that's about how long those Amazon rankings last), I'm going to revel in my glory and sit outside in my swinging chair and thank the Good Lord and Goddesses for all they have done for me.
Ahhhh...nice morning....
Sunday, September 11, 2005
Interesting Day at Work...
I had an interesting day today. For those that aren't on the up-and-up on what I do besides write, revise, send off to agents, pray (in that order), I also wait on tables. Yah, yah. It's not the most prestigious job in the world, but I use those little pitiful tips to pay for that roof over my head and those cartons of cigs that I must buy (yeah, I must!). So, it does come in handy.
It was a reaaaally slow day. The tourists have left Pony Capital of the World and must be saving that precious gas for those trips to the real vacation spots, like Walmart. You think I'm kidding? My Walmart has everything you could ever want in a vacation spot, plus a hotel across the street in case you want to get back up, save that gas and visit again! Tres politically-gas correct.
Anyway, it was real slow and boring and I had already had twenty-thousand smoke breaks, plus cleaned my car, washed the windows and all that jazz when I got a little surprise.
A couple walked in and it was a guy and a girl who I had gone to school with! It was so neat seeing them again.
We talked about what each other was up to and all that and they were surprised I had a book out. I wrote my website down on a napkin (why don't I ever remember to take my business cards to work with me????), but it made me realize what potential there was promoting in my old neck of the woods...old schools, family I haven't seen for years, friends who would be surprised I had reached my dreams...all that good ol' stuff.
Well, that was the highlight of my day. Seeing them reminded me how far I had come and actually it's one of the internal conflicts in my hen lit book. Going back, fixing things and showing those who thought we'd never make it that we can not only make it, but succeed at it.
I'm not there, by no long shot, but this one incidence reminded me of just how hard I've been working the past few years and what I've got to show for it. Maybe one day I can quit my job waiting tables, but sometimes you just don't know who you'll wait on and it makes it a little more bearable. Or is it barable? EEK. And I call myself a writer.
Speaking of my book, I sent off two more queries to agents today. Someone's bound to bite sooner or later, I hope. Meanwhile, it's back to proofing in case they do.....hi ho....hi ho.........
It was a reaaaally slow day. The tourists have left Pony Capital of the World and must be saving that precious gas for those trips to the real vacation spots, like Walmart. You think I'm kidding? My Walmart has everything you could ever want in a vacation spot, plus a hotel across the street in case you want to get back up, save that gas and visit again! Tres politically-gas correct.
Anyway, it was real slow and boring and I had already had twenty-thousand smoke breaks, plus cleaned my car, washed the windows and all that jazz when I got a little surprise.
A couple walked in and it was a guy and a girl who I had gone to school with! It was so neat seeing them again.
We talked about what each other was up to and all that and they were surprised I had a book out. I wrote my website down on a napkin (why don't I ever remember to take my business cards to work with me????), but it made me realize what potential there was promoting in my old neck of the woods...old schools, family I haven't seen for years, friends who would be surprised I had reached my dreams...all that good ol' stuff.
Well, that was the highlight of my day. Seeing them reminded me how far I had come and actually it's one of the internal conflicts in my hen lit book. Going back, fixing things and showing those who thought we'd never make it that we can not only make it, but succeed at it.
I'm not there, by no long shot, but this one incidence reminded me of just how hard I've been working the past few years and what I've got to show for it. Maybe one day I can quit my job waiting tables, but sometimes you just don't know who you'll wait on and it makes it a little more bearable. Or is it barable? EEK. And I call myself a writer.
Speaking of my book, I sent off two more queries to agents today. Someone's bound to bite sooner or later, I hope. Meanwhile, it's back to proofing in case they do.....hi ho....hi ho.........
Wednesday, September 7, 2005
They Say Three's the Charm, So Is Four the Winner?
Ah..the saga of "Over the Hill" (it's also going through a name change as we speak...for now, I'll call it "Sisterhood") continues. I wrote Sisterhood three times and it wasn't until the fourth time did I "get it." It read smoother, cut out a bunch of irrelevant information and "tightened it" so to speak. It was a killer, but I think it's good to go to this last agent that has requested the partial. So nervous.
And just when my nerves had settled down, I went into my synopsis (which I need to send to her along with the first three chapters) and I went, "Oh no!" The synopsis wasn't even finished. In fact, there were three files with three different synopsis' and I gotta tell you, it was like saying eenie, meenie, miney, moe as to which one was the one I had intended on going with. So, I picked up the third one and finished it. Only, I just wasn't comfortable with it. I wanted it in first person being as the book is in first person, but it just didn't have that zing for me.
I read where your synopsis is what the potential agent/editor/publisher/whatever uses to decide whether there is potential there. Your three chapters will tell what kind of a writing style you have, but that darn synopsis is the bait. Did my synopsis have a minnow on the end of its hook or was there a big ol' whale dangling there to gobble the big ol' agent/editor/publisher up in one gulp if she didn't accept it?
It wasn't even a minnow. I looked down and there was no bait at all.
I fretted about this all last night and into the morning. I've written this synopsis three times and you would think that three would be the charm, wouldn't you?
Think again.
I had my head in my hands and my eyes caught a piece of scrap paper on my desk that had the beginnings of a fantastic fourth synopsis. Only, it would have to be written in third person to make this stand out. Gotta be there.
I hemmed and hawwed and I thought, what is it about these couple of sentences that are grabbing me when the one I had finished didn't?
It had pizzazz. It read like the back cover of a book. It had excitement and might be the ticket.
Wait. Didn't I read that last night that someone had suggested doing just that?
Okay, I've got these two sentences and I'm raring to go. Third person it will have to be. They win. I go with the flow and hope the fourth one is the winner. Wish me luck. This is getting so old and a lot of work!
And just when my nerves had settled down, I went into my synopsis (which I need to send to her along with the first three chapters) and I went, "Oh no!" The synopsis wasn't even finished. In fact, there were three files with three different synopsis' and I gotta tell you, it was like saying eenie, meenie, miney, moe as to which one was the one I had intended on going with. So, I picked up the third one and finished it. Only, I just wasn't comfortable with it. I wanted it in first person being as the book is in first person, but it just didn't have that zing for me.
I read where your synopsis is what the potential agent/editor/publisher/whatever uses to decide whether there is potential there. Your three chapters will tell what kind of a writing style you have, but that darn synopsis is the bait. Did my synopsis have a minnow on the end of its hook or was there a big ol' whale dangling there to gobble the big ol' agent/editor/publisher up in one gulp if she didn't accept it?
It wasn't even a minnow. I looked down and there was no bait at all.
I fretted about this all last night and into the morning. I've written this synopsis three times and you would think that three would be the charm, wouldn't you?
Think again.
I had my head in my hands and my eyes caught a piece of scrap paper on my desk that had the beginnings of a fantastic fourth synopsis. Only, it would have to be written in third person to make this stand out. Gotta be there.
I hemmed and hawwed and I thought, what is it about these couple of sentences that are grabbing me when the one I had finished didn't?
It had pizzazz. It read like the back cover of a book. It had excitement and might be the ticket.
Wait. Didn't I read that last night that someone had suggested doing just that?
Okay, I've got these two sentences and I'm raring to go. Third person it will have to be. They win. I go with the flow and hope the fourth one is the winner. Wish me luck. This is getting so old and a lot of work!
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