Just Another NO

Since I have not blogged here since August, you may correctly assume the answer to my question below was a big fat "NO." Author Jack Getze and his character Austin Carr were not whisked away to stardom by the fancy reader they had back in August. In thirty five years of writing novels, only three times have I heard a "YES," so I guess it's no big surprise. In fact, I should have known.

Each "NO" carries it's own recipe for pain, however, and I've decided to await the next "YES" in Puerto Vallarta. The sun is great down here, not to mention the tacos and tequila. I figure I might as well be persistant in a pleasant location, right? Hang in there where the hanging's good. Suck it up while I'm sucking tequila.

I mean, where would you rather wait?

Lots of Luck, Buddy

It was eleven years ago. Agent Donald Maass spoke to 30 new writers in a workshop assembly. "Trying to become a successful author is like trying to become a movie star," he said. "You need loads of talent and lots of luck."

In the decade since then, I've learned Don was right. So many books. So much talent. So much competition for attention and readers. But every once in a while, you get a piece of luck and a shot. Someone who could change your life is reading your work. It's scary.

All you can do is wait.

First Draft: The Finish is Only A Start

For me, first drafts are manic. One week the story feels great, the next week not so much. And when I finish that first draft, usually in a two-week flurry, the combination of emotions could get me hospitalized. It feels fantastic to finish, to complete the story. Especially if the climax works well. But hours later, reality sets in. It's only a FIRST draft. And since you didn't know the whole story until more than halfway through, there's a bunch of rewrites, set-ups, and new scenes to write for the beginning two thirds. I have a ton of work left.

Oh, the load is heavy.

Ever Wonder What Your Agent's Doing?

Right now, of course, I hope my literary agent is sleeping, getting her rest. Maybe tomorrow will be a big day in the marketing of my latest novel, although if Thursday's anything like Wednesday, or the weeks and months before that, probably not.

I just hope she's thinking about me, at least once or twice during the day.

I bet she spends more time thinking about chocolate.

Or cocktails. My agent loves a good Cosmo.

Where I Work

They say writing is a lonely life, but sometimes it's not lonely enough. Know what I mean? We need peace and quiet, a room (better yet, a cave) where every Tom, Dick, and Harriet can't pop in whenever they want and ask questions, like:

"So what do you think of the stock market? Is it time to get in?"

How the hell would I know? If Warren Buffet lost 50% of his net worth last year, what do you expect ME to do?

"Do you want to eat at Rooney's tonight, or Mr. Cs?"

I don't really care. Both joints are on the beach, both serve cold Bombay martinis with equal flourish.

"Have you seen Jonesy?

He's probably under that rubble in what you call our reception area. No one's seen the carpet in two years.

People! Leave me alone!

Good Luck Mojo Here!

No, this is not a cheap trick to attract hits to my website. I'm not selling anything. I'm just one of a million lonely writers waiting for that acceptance, needing a little luck in this economy, and I thought I'd share these lucky charms. Maybe if we all wish together...

Happy Easter!