Coca-Cola Rehab

'nuff said...

Jessy

I was so set on "robusting" my manuscript. Hubby says what I think, that the last half needs a bit more fleshing out.

Unfortunately, or fortunately, not sure which yet, a new character came to me right before I took a nap this morning, (yes, I know, I'm a brat). I fell in love with her and what's going to be her story. I know it sounds so freakin' nerdy and spacy to talk that way. I guess there are other ways I could say it, but that's how it feels. Like this little girl just walked up to me and asked me to tell her story. So now I'm all itchy to get it down before I forget her.

Jessy's her name and she's incredibly unlovable...because no one has loved her. She's a fifth grader who's smaller than everyone in her class and most fourth graders too. The rest I can't give away in case someone steals her from me...that would be pretty hard considering I have one reader...so honey, please don't steal Jessy.

First Rejection!

Yesterday I received my first rejection letter from a literary agent. Surprisingly, it didn't bother me all that much. Of course it was a very kind form letter (actually an email), didn't say anything like "you suck...don't ever write anything again", but it was a rejection nonetheless. It felt like a right of passage. For goodness sakes, who gets an acceptance on their first try in the publishing world? If you can name one, let me know!

I was a little triumphant because I'd moved on something big (at least I think it's big). I've taken many steps, written the darn thing, wrote queries, etc... and that feels good.

Before I send out anymore queries I think I'll get some beta readers. I need some more feedback on how to make this thing great. Any takers??? ;)

Spring in full swing...and other things

So it's been a little over three months since I've posted, but that's okay since no one is following my blog...yet. Truth is, it's been a little crazy around here. I started working on a novel in January and that's what I've been spending every spare second on. My poor family is living in squalor because of my preoccupation, but there's hope! Now that I'm shopping it around there may be a little extra time for chit-chat and I guess a little housework too.

Have you looked out the window lately? It's full spring! If it weren't for endless allergies this would be my favorite time of year.

There's a drainage ditch that runs behind my house that we (my family and I) lovingly refer to as "the creek". This is the only time of year you can find something other than discarded bikes and trash floating at the bottom. Right now it's filled with tall leafy grasses (okay--they're probably weeds, but this is an uplifting post) and those little pink buttercup looking flowers. At the bottom, once you look past the rusting bike wheel, you see schools of tadpoles darting. My favorite are the turtles that love to bask in the warm morning sun. They climb up onto large limestone rocks that poke out of the water or a long discarded wooden beam and stretch their necks and limbs as far as they can to soak up the best light of the day.

I'm thinking about taking a hint from the turtles...basking sounds nice, with sunscreen of course. Who needs clean dishes anyway?