A Fork in the Road

There is something to be said about getting off your ass and ending procrastination.  It certainly does lead to activity.  Activity is great, but this ultimately leads to shit actually happening versus nothing happening.

Can you hear that?  I think I just heard the world's tiniest violin...

Prior to the holidays, I forwarded a few chapters to the leading regional publisher of trade books.  I sort of thought they might be interested, but expected a flat rejection considering the economy and that they currently have a listing on family law.  What I did not expect is a letter requesting I detail how this text differs from their current offering.

Obviously, I am going to argue my book greatly differs from their current book.  That book is BORING.  I can barely read the introduction.  It is also dated.  It was published in 2004.  Hard to believe, but that is almost a decade ago.  Plus, that text goes for $20.  Mine is only $10.  BIG DIFFERENCE.

I know.  That sounds like a stretch...

To send a proper reply, I believe I should find that book at our local law library and really glance it over.  Do a little more than just "Click for an Inside Look" off Amazon.  I believe a few paragraphs in reply are in order.

The other fork in the road is that I have joined a local Meet Up self-publishing group.  We met a little over a week ago and I feel very inspired.  It feels great to learn tips, hear others self-publishing whoa's, and find camaraderie.  It sort of makes me feel like maybe going it alone really is the best option.

Right now, I feel like a cartoon character whose car has come to a fork in the road.  Rather than choosing a left or a right lane, I am simply picking my car up around me and two wheels are going one way while the others go the opposite direction.  Let's see how long this activity lasts...

More to come,
CC

Was mama right about the whole "eggs in one basket" or is there only one basket?

I woke up this morning remembering how mama would always warn me not to put all of my eggs in one basket.  She would advise me to never rely on one single source when you really need to spread yourself out.  It is in this line of thinking that I believe it best to investigate other regional publishing houses.  

IF (and that is an "if" in capitals), it is accepted by two.  Wouldn't they have to negotiate with me?  Wouldn't that be beneficial for me?  That, again, is a big what-if, but it might behoove me to check it out.  I should not be so freaking lazy and only send the text out once.  I should send it to others.  I think this may be something I need to Google...

*googling*

What do we have here?  So far I see one that publishes outdoor magazines...One that does historical texts...Hmmm.  I am not seeing any others.  Oh, dear.  I am not seeing any others!  This does not look promising.  

Oh, no.  Perhaps this basket is a bit more precious than I realized.  Perhaps this basket IS the basket, and that “is” is also in capitals!  Oh, gawd…  

CC

With a New Year Comes New Resolutions

The new year has already come and gone and with it I have made a few new resolutions.  I decided this year I will focus on a few new ones, not the old stand-by ones.  I am focusing on new ones because the old ones are simply constants for me: lose weight and quit smoking.  Now, the first one, lose weight, cannot be a new resolution for it is in no way new for moi.  The second, quit smoking, is an ongoing battle for me, thus not new (sidenote - I have not had a cigarette since August, but I am now addicted to my electronic cigarette).

No, NEW is the word.  So, for my 2013, I hope to accomplish the following resolutions:

1) Wipe out the road rage.  Yes, I have a nasty temper that flairs when people act stupid behind the wheel.  But here is my problem, WHO CARES?  If someone pulls out in front of me, isn't it obvious they did not see me.  And if said person does pull out in front of me and I do not careen into the side of their vehicle, why am I honking and giving them the bird?  They in no way hurt me or my property.  Rather, they simply pulled out unexpectantly.  It is not the end of the word, thus I should not throw a complete fit.  So, I plan to be nicer behind the wheel.  So far so good.

2) MobyDickBigRead.com - I love that the classic Moby Dick is available in audio format for free.  I never read the book, but this is the next best thing.  It is 100's of chapters long, so I plan to listen to it in its entirety.  I think I can, I think I can...http://www.mobydickbigread.com

3) Be more creative!  I have two ongoing projects I would very much like to keep "ongoing".  One is scrapbooking.  I just love it and I have lots of little mementos and various pics to clip and store away.  I definitely need to keep that up.  My other project is my little novel.  I am happy to report I recently re-picked up Writing Fiction: A Guide to Narrative Craft (5th Edition) by Janet Burroway.  It is really good!  I learned I should simply restart my novel, which pains me so.  I have over 20,000 words written, but Janet is right.  They are probably crap.  Starting over will really help me zone in on my character and edit out a great deal of noise.  The other thing I learned just last night is I need to create more crisis and conflict.  Who wants to read a story that goes on and on and on and on?  We want action!  We want the see-saw of drama.  Heck, my life is boring.  Novels take me away to a fascinating place.  And if the story doesn't, I stop reading.  So, picking up this book has been a breath of fresh air into this project of mine.  I hope to have something ready for someone (my sister) to review.

Any who.  I hope I can keep this up for a long time.  Happy New Year!  Good luck with your own resolutions, whatever they may be.

CC

Check out Janet's book -

Writing Fiction: A Guide to Narrative Craft (5th Edition) by Janet Burroway Permalink: http://amzn.com/0321026896