Guilt and Motivation

It's been a while. A long while. But, in fairness, I have never professed to be this wonderful blogger that brings you enlightening posts on a regular basis, despite the fact that  that is sort of the purpose of a blog. Alas, every time I sit down to do a blog post I feel guilty.

Guilty because I'm still just about half way done with a manuscript I wanted to have finished months ago.
Guilty because, if I'm struggling with my story, I should be reading or researching, not blogging.
Guilty because some days--too many days--I have a severe case of What-the-hell-am-I-doing-osis*.

Ask the Editor: What's the best way to get published?

QUESTION:
I would like to ask a question! I have written a children's picture book, amongst others. What is the best way to get it published? Who would you recommend to contact? I don't know why other books get out but I can't. Please let me know.

ANSWER:
Unfortunately, there is no short answer to this. Most importantly, I want to stress that just because you've finished writing your book, doesn't mean your work is done. You're really only about half way there.

WHAT, you say. Half way? But I've just written, edited, rewritten (wash, rinse, repeat, multiply by 30) a freaking BOOK!

Yes, well. Truth hurts, sunshine. There's still LOT of reading and research on different agents and publishers. Also, be prepared to work on your query/submission letter until it is bang on.

Contagious Crying, Infectious Laughter.

It's my wedding anniversary. Eddie and I have been married for two years now. This one is for you, my love.

My husband has been dying to read my old online journal. I wrote it when I was a teen, but it is now completely private. Yeah, that probably makes it more intriguing, doesn't it? Well, my dear. Here you go. As you well know, I was a lot to handle back then—quirky and willful. So, I'm going to give it to you in tiny bites. Baby steps.

Today begins a series of flashbacks to an earlier me, a younger me, an absurdly aloof me. Me as a

Dear Blog, I'm Sorry

Dear Blog:

Thank you for visiting, but I seem to be out. You see, it's the end of the year and there are 296 deadlines charging straight at me like a herd of very angry cougars (and I'm not even confident that cougars herd or charge). My Dearest Blog, and you know what makes matters worse, my one and only, Mac-Book Hard-Drive (people thought we were cruel when we named her because of the double double-barrel, but we thought it was cute) has passed away. This wouldn't be so bad if we weren't so attached. It was scary, how'd well she knew me. And her ability to recall every secret I ever told her means that she will sorely missed, indeed.

The Cold

It started like any other disgusting and unwanted cold.

Anyone else have that horrible cold that's going around? You know, for colds, I usually just say 'toughen up' and 'it's no biggie', but man this one was something fierce. Like that English grannie that rocks the turntables, this one just wasn't what you'd expect, not from a cold anyway.

Because one minute it was just sniffly and sneezy, the next it felt like you got kicked in the head and someone was stabbing you in the eyes with a screwdriver. Let me tell you, I get sinus infections occasionally, but I can't remember having one that was quite so bad before. This sinus infection is (still

I Am Number Four, Full Fathom Five and Children's Book Packaging

The ash from the fire has settled. Full Fathom Five has been well and truly burned.

I know this is a bit late for the Full Fathom Five debate, but I'm a bit distressed that the argument has been so one-sided and wonder if there's something wrong with me because, the more and more I've read about it, the more and more I want to--in some respects--defend James Frey. (Please don't kill me too.) I want to give him credit for his commercial business concepts. Put down you're weapons and hear me out! I think he has some good ideas, but the execution of these ideas is where Full Fathom Five falls apart.

Out of Coffee

I think I'm addicted to coffee.

I can't remember exactly why, but when my husband and I got married and moved into THE TINIEST little flat in Islington (because, yes, we are that swanky), my mommy got us a Nespresso machine. I do remember that one of the reasons for this gift was so that, whenever she came to visit, she would always have good coffee available. But more than that, I would argue to say that Nespresso is not only good coffee, but the best. Why is it the best? Because it's

How NaNoWriMo Ruined My Day

Yesterday I posted about taking a swing at the NaNoWriMo challenge. Today I sat seething at the computer. Tonight I cried to my husband, a big blubbering mess. Let me tell you why.

Yesterday I wrote a nice big chunk of prose. It was all planned out beforehand and I was even quite pleased with some parts. Yesterday was a very good day and I woke up this morning, ready to write more. But then I didn't. I'm not just an author, but a trained editor who shudders at anything less than perfection. So what did I do today? I deleted. I moved things around. I rewrote stuff. And not just a little bit.