Hope Springs Eternal

In an age when everyone seems to be pinching pennies and a dollar doesn't buy what it used to anymore, reading about Audrey Niffenegger's nearly $5M, yes that's right, I said million, deal for her 2nd novel gives me hope.

As a writer, honestly, it isn't about the money. I do it because I love it. Because it gives me an escape into a world that (for now) is all my own. No one else lives there and I can get absorbed into the lives of my characters as they show me their stories. My only job is to capture everything I can as I see their lives unfold before me.

As a "pre-published" writer (you know, like pre-med student?), it gives me hope that there's a chance, however slim, that one can still make a living as a writer. Recently I've read a few agent blogs providing some general advice for the "pre-published" population and there were some really valid points they made. The one that has stuck with me the most is basically summed up as "Don't quit your day job." When I first read this it made me a little sad, because really, I'd love to just be able to write all the time, but for now, that's a bit unrealistic. And then when I read that same piece of advice on another agent's blog, well, I started thinking about it and it really does make a lot of sense. Nothing's guaranteed, right?

No one can truly know what's going to happen beyond right now (except maybe psychics, but they creep me out a little), so I guess following the old adage would be ideal: hope for the best, prepare for the worst. Do everything you can to help yourself succeed, but at some point, you have to let go and let the chips land where they may. Hopefully they land in the good places, the ones you wanted them to land in and maybe a few places you never even realized were there.

The Flu, The Economy and Other Fun Fortunes

So it's been a while, yes. I believe it has much to do with the fact that the flu has been running rampant through our entire family! Current victim, and last to be struck? Me. While everyone was sniffling and coughing and runny noses were everywhere, I was fine. And now, everyone's fine (almost) except me. (yeah, I know . . . whine, whine, whine.)

Moving on. I read an interesting blog from Chuck Sambuchino in regards to the state of getting published in our current economic times. I really liked how simple he made it: Getting published has always been hard. Getting published in a down economy is maybe only 20% harder even if it feels like the whole world is against you. What it really boils down to, and is the general consensus (that I've read anyway) of agents is to just keep writing and making everything the best it can be. Honestly, that's all anyone can do, right? To use an already over-used cliche, the cream will rise to the top.

Maybe that's just me trying to stay positive in a less than positive environment, but I'm at the point now where I'd just rather look at the bright side of things. There's no reason to hang on to negativity and let it ruin a perfectly good (if a bit dark and snowy) day. Besides, my fortune cookie from dinner the other night said: The current year will bring you much happiness. Why not look at the bright side of things, even if it's only to help that along?

Dory the Fish

Ok, I'm back now. Kind of. We're currently suffering some crisis on the childcare front - so I'm a little stressed out.

Any who - I'm just about finished with my second manuscript and feeling pretty good about it, as a rough draft anyway. My sister hasn't finished reading what she has yet, so I'm still waiting for that review. And the crappy economy is really taking a bite out of this road to publishing adventure for me. With publishers purchasing so far in advance (similar to the way movie production companies buy scripts), they can go several months - possibly up to a year, without buying anything and still have new books coming out for up to two years out! Doesn't help on the patience front, but what do you do, right? .....

**Deep Breath** and ... (to be heard in the voice of Dory the fish) Just Keep Writing, Just Keep Writing....

And honestly, there is something to be said about the satisfaction of finishing a manuscript. My first completed manuscript comes in at 529 pages. My current one - unfinished - is at 566. What can I tell you, my characters have a lot to say. I've been trying to keep myself motivated, and that sense of accomplishment is a great feeling.

Okay, that's it for now, I think. Oh, wait, one more thing. Rejection is a lot easier to handle if you have someone or something to blame, so I suppose the current state of the economy is my scapegoat. At least there's a positive thing about it. I guess.