Whoops! This happened a couple weeks ago but I keep forgetting to mention: I heard back from the Major Publisher, and they passed on Twenty-Somewhere. Yes, it was definitely a bummer, but I never had any expectations, only hope. Plus they were very complimentary, and even invited me to submit other manuscripts, so there was a silver lining. That’s actually pretty good for this biz.

The whole process (from contest to submission to querying) with 20SW was a fantastic learning experience, and it connected me to some great people — other writers, as well as potential agents. In fact, I’ve got a list of the agents that responded favorably to me, and I plan to query them with my next project (an awesome YA novel!) soon.

To be honest, other than that, there hasn’t been much going on with me. Work, write, try to live a little. That’s my day, every day. I struggle with the usual problems (not wasting my time, not freezing up when I’m faced with a blank page), and I cope in the usual ways (Yagoot). Sometimes I get very restless, impatient, desperate for the start of the career I’m working towards. But lately I’ve been reminding myself to enjoy this phase, to relish this time when I’m writing (mostly) for myself. I will get “there” someday. Someday soon, I hope. But for right now, I’m “here,” and I need to appreciate that too.

So, things I appreciate:

  • Last night Andy helped me take the wheels off my desk, thereby lowering it a couple inches and hopefully easing the strain on my wrists and shoulders when I write.
  • I’ve started using Freedom again, working in 20 minute blocks and then giving myself 5-10 minute breaks. It’s amazing what you can accomplish in 20 minutes, if you’re focused.
  • I like working late at night, when the lights are out, the world is quiet, and Andy and Riley are sleeping peacefully nearby. My characters slowly come out of hiding, out of the shadows and onto the glowing screen.
  • The air is cooling, and the leaves are turning to fire. Fall is my favorite time of year.
  • It’s Friday!

What do you appreciate about where you are right now?

15 responses to “Right here, right now”