Question Pondering

My mind tends to wonder. A lot. And as I send out query after query, knowing I've got a single shot to make an impression, a little question has wormed its way to the forefront of my conscience: "What makes one ant stand out from another?" Any thoughts on the matter?

Freak Out

Just thought I say that I'm having a complete freak-out moment as I get sample chapters ready to send off. It's just a partial. Trying NOT to get my hopes up.

What Happened Next? Link

"What Happened Next," is running in Muscadine Lines this quarter. This story actually started out as part of my novel, No Other. In its original version, young Jacob and Meri are pouring over a photo album, and she comes across a picture of his old house. Jacob is particularly reflective because the house and property had been confiscated as part of his family's internment during WWII. They were then sold at auction to a chemical plant. (The area the story takes place in is full of them.) Anyhow, he begins reminiscing over his fond memories of growing up there, especially what occurred right after the picture was shot.

This memory turned into a delightful story that completely diverted the focus of the entire chapter, so I had to cut it and replace it with a three sentence version. But I so loved the story that I couldn't let it go. So, I aged Jacob, countrified him to the extreme, and omitted his German heritage. In this version he's telling the story to his great-granddaughter.

This is the story's second publication. Here is the link to the journal. Enjoy!

http://www.asouthernjournal.com/

So Let Me Get this Straight...

I need to get a promotion agency to promote me so I can get an agent to represent me so I can get a publisher to publish my book?

This is good stuff. I think I'm going to add it to my facebook comments.

Synopsis and Query

Well, I succeeded in writing both a synopsis and a query. Not sure how good they are. I suppose I'll find out. Now I get to research my competition, and work out a marketing plan. This is the anti-creative side of writing.

Another Confession

Since I admitted to being an arrogant, slacker student in my last post, I decided to take this opportunity to make another confession. It has nothing to do with writing. It's just that Kat's comment has me taking a trip down memory lane, so I figure that I might as well share.

Before I start; Mom, if you're reading this, I'm really sorry. And Lexi, since I know you're going to read this, don't do it! Have respect for your teacher!(ME)

Okay, it's really not bad; just lazy. But...

I was a horrible student. I totally took advantage of my teachers. Especially during my senior year. My economics teacher in highschool also happened to be a football coach. It was pretty obvious that one of these duties was a passion, and the other, a chore. I realized early on that he didn't actually read our assignments. He just gave us credit for doing them. So, I used the opportunity to write jibberish just to see what I could get away with.

I remember one of the assignments was about the loan process, and I was supposed to describe the appropriate, professional way, to go about securing a loan. I wrote something along the lines of: "I'd look for a male loan officer, and approach him wearing professional, yet sexy attire. If he refused, then I'd pull the gun from my thigh holster and yell, 'Everybody hit the floor!"

I got an "A".

See. Harmless story. But now it's got me thinking of all the other stuff I wrote that the teacher never caught. I distinctly remember one time that I actually did write jibberish-kinda like this: binkyboo waddadaa golly poo jeepers dooda. Except I wrote it in really messy cursive, which I can't seem to help. (Thank you God for keyboards because my handwriting is atrocious) Anyhow, I got an "A" that time too.

In the scheme of life, it's no biggy, I guess. It's not like I snuck out my dad's truck and wrecked it or anything. Mom, tell Dad I'm still really sorry about that! Y'all still love me, right?

Lexi, do NOT tell your brother and sister. BEHAVE!

Wow, two posts within twelve hours. That's a first for me.

Eh...Why Not Post at 3:30am.

It's not like I'm getting anywhere with my query letter.

Wow! Trying to condense 311 pages into one, maybe two paragraphs, is proving to be somewhat of a challenge. Especially for a yakker like me! I'm currently working on four variations simultaneously. I do get the reason agents want this though. Anyone can get all wordy and stretch a wee little story into pages and pages of descriptive babble. Do you want me to show ya?

Eh...maybe later. But, while I'm on the subject, I have a confession to make. When I was in college I frequently used this tactic to "pull one over" on my English/lit professors. I didn't like to study. So when it came time for the exam, I'd reform the question into a statement, and reword it several times using a variety of large words and adjectives until I had stretched it into two to three paragraphs. Basically, the idea was to keep the professor from seeing the trees for the forest. (Yes, I meant to say it that way) I got good enough at this to be exempt from finals on two occasions due to my average being so high.(Also a result of this very trick) I really feel bad about it now.

Anyhow, for something I wasn't going to demonstrate, I think I just did.

So, my point. Basically anyone can be wordy. Going the opposite direction, and still being thorough, unique, and interesting; that's quite a talent (not trick). We'll see if I've got it in me.

Wish me luck!

And now I don't have to feel guilty about neglecting my blog for a few days, at least.

My First Moment of Panic

Now that I've completed my manuscript, I've officially suffered my first panic attack. What if this sucks!?!!!! What if I've wasted all of this passion, time, energy, and effort on a hopeless cause!?! What if I just don't have what it takes?

Do I really want to know?

Okay...now that I've gotten that out of my system, it's time to press on.

My Poor, Poor Neglected Blog

When I was child, I really wanted a horse. I begged and begged my parents, "Please...I promise I'll take care of it. I'll feed it and ride it, and give it lots of love."

My parents' reply; "No."

But then I grew up, and guess what I got. That's right. I got myself a horse. So, do I feed it and ride it and give it lots of love? Nope, but my kids do.

Maybe I should turn my blog over to my kids.


You guys will have to forgive me. I have been CONSUMED with finishing my manuscript, No Other. However, it is near completion and I am about to begin seeking representation. I intend to document the ups and downs of this journey. I'm sure it will be bumpy, but on the bright side, that should give me plenty to post about so I can fatten up this scrawny blog.