So, to all of those who read my short story this week, I want to say a) thanks for reading! and b) thanks for all the comments!
Having read all of the responses, I quickly realized that people actually liked it- and what's more, they wanted to read MORE of it! Exciting!
I wasn't sure if I wanted to make a novel out of this short story, but you guys have convinced me. Today I took some time out for The Practice Room and banged out some plot ideas. One in particular stands out to me and I think I might go with it and see what happens. Who knows if it'll work- but I've already got the first chapter published, so why not try and expand on it? At least I know people will like the beginning. HA!
Also, I had the most annoying conversation ever the other day. I was talking to a friend of mine about me writing and trying to get published. The conversation went as follows:
(Me): "I've written several things, but there are other things that I'm just beginning. Maybe one day I'll get published."
(My friend): "Well, it's not that hard, right? You write something and then submit it."
(Me): HAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (I thought to myself). Instead, I said, "It's actually a little more complicated than that. There can be years of revision. It's quite a process to get something ready for publication."
(My friend): "Actually my friend from high school just became an author. She said she banged out a novel in a couple of months, sent it to a publisher with no revisions, and got a book deal a few months later."
(Me): SON OF A- !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (I thought to myself) Instead, I said, "Well she must be the exception to the rule."
@&$#@)$*)@#$*)#@$* Please God, don't tell me there are people so brilliant and wonderful that no revisions are needed while the rest of us spend countless hours/days of our lives trying to do it RIGHT!
Anyway, I'm now halfway through the book Graceling. It's so nice to just sit down with a good book on a rainy day, and it's been raining, raining, raining here.
What are you guys up to?
What are you guys up to?
Oh, and just for fun:
7 comments:
I'm sorry, but if it could happen, I would've done it by now. Yes?
Ok, who is this person you were talking to? I kind of want to punch her in the nose!
Dena,
Sorry to hear about your conversation with your friend. It's unfortunate, but part of the journey. Years ago a friend asked me if I thought I was wasting my time by trying to write and get published. As Scott Turow said, "The truth of the matter is that the people who succeed in the arts most often are the people who get up again after getting knocked down. Persistence is critical."
Keep writing.
Mia
THAT'S RIGHT JON!
Well - I'm a bit tired as last night/early hours of this morning this weird CHICK popped out of my facebook and asked me about this TERRIFIC novel she'll have published by the end of the week...yep - it REALLY does happen!
Jon-exactly.
SIF- You totally have my permission!
Mia-Glad I'm not the only one with a clueless friend! Thanks so much for the encouragement!
Ann Marie- You know you liked it ;-)
Bless you, Dena, Trogdor is exactly what my morning needed! Haven't seen that for ages.
Does anyone "just become an author?" There had to have been some kind of process there, right?
I have the same conversation about revisions every time my mother-in-law tells someone I'm writing a book. You are definitely not alone!
I've heard of it happening too, but it seems to be a rare exception. It's hard talking about writing with people who don't write.
Post a Comment