A Personal Case of Foreshadowing

On the way home from church and errands yesterday, amid family talk about trucks from China, plants vs. animals, and Santa's elves (we covered a lot), I made a random comment to my husband.

“I hope if Avalon doesn’t accept my book, they at least offer some constructive criticism.”

I hadn’t spoken with him about my manuscript in awhile...

Fast-forward to our road, when I said, “Let’s stop at the mailbox. I didn’t get yesterday’s mail.”

The second the flap came down, I gasped. One lonely letter lay inside, post-marked from New York. And I knew.

“It’s too thin to be good news.” I clutched it in my hands, not ready for its message.

“So open it,” my husband pressed.

The second of grasping hope, when I thought Maybe it's a letter asking me to call them, didn't last long.

It was short and to-the-point: Bliss Lake isn't right for them. They felt pacing was slow at times, and that the "religious undertones" weren't in line with their more secular preferences. (Terri, this answers a question you and I had once...) For anyone curious about what they consider religious, characters in Bliss Lake attend church a few times (with brushed-over details of a particular sermon's message), God is mentioned, and the main character prays in thought, though no overt Christianity is presented. I myself thought it was all indirect and minor to plot. So now we know.

The editors also had concerns over the presence of a stalker. While he created an ambience that didn't fit with their "family-friendly guidelines," his existence didn't present the right kind of tension between the hero and heroine, either.

So what does all this mean to me? I don't know yet.

I know I'm really disappointed. Really. I feel like my sails have lost their wind. Now - instead of a writer being considered - I'm just a writer. I feel less validated. I have to start all over again. And I have some decisions to make. Do I try to tweak pacing (if I end up agreeing) and find Christian markets, to see what they think of Bliss Lake? Or do I chalk the whole thing up to practice and experience? Many do that. It is my first novel, after all. And I tried the agent route, too. No takers.

I don't want to say I give up. Because I won't. Not on this dream of writing and being published at the novel level, anyway. The first thing I said to my husband was, "I'll keep trudgin'." So I'll strap on my boots and push myself onward.

Here I go.

The Numbness is Wearing Off

Back in September, when I sent a partial submission to Avalon Books [they ask writers to submit the first three chapters with the query letter], I was numb. I'd prepared my packet in an excited haze, after having found Bliss Lake met their detailed manuscript (ms) guidelines that morning. My drive to the post office was fuzzy, as was the handing over of the manila envelope marked for NYC, and as I drove home I had to reassure myself I'd done everything properly.

I didn't give it much further thought, though; there was plenty to keep me busy at home. So something like 3 business days (and a weekend) later, a letter in the mail took me by complete surprise. Avalon liked what they saw, and wanted to read the whole thing! So in a similar haze, I packaged my full ms, and made another unremarkable drive to the USPS. I think I remember my heart hammering as I placed the thicker, more significant envelope atop the counter and told the clerk, "Send it priority, please." Did I want delivery confirmation? Absoflippin'lutely.

I still felt so fuzzy and detached. It was surreal, taking that step. Because I knew that, even if the outcome wasn't my ultimate dream of landing a publisher, it was, at the very least, a step in the right direction. To even be considered by a major house? My 5 year-old was helping me think of people to call and tell, that's how big it was. Is. To me.

My ms arrived at Avalon's offices on October 1st. I haven't heard anything, though I expect it will take several months more. And it's been okay, because that haze had settled, kind of keeping my brain from expecting too much. What with kids to raise, a house to remodel, new writing projects to work on, I didn't have to think about Bliss Lake and its ultimate place.

And then yesterday something changed. I had the thought, Could it really be that a publisher is looking at my book? How did that happen? It may have been sparked by my friend Jen, who said, "...you've got a novel completed and being considered by a publisher..." Holy heck, I do? I do!

And now, for the first time, I'm letting myself think of all the implications. About how badly I want to be published, so others can read my words, hear my stories. How much I want to hold a paperback in my hands, one with my name emblazoned across the front. About the fact that a huge decision regarding my life, my passion, lies in "The Editors" hands at Avalon.

I think I need to lie down.

Tuesday's Stuff and Things

First, the stuff:

The house comes along! I'm wearing myself out but the walls are getting painted, and everything looks great. Though much still looms before me (power sanding, anyone?), the master bathroom is underway - we have a new shower stall! - and I had TWO rockin' hot showers yesterday! Our wood-burning fireplace is being framed in, and everything should come together for the main floor's carpet installation this Sunday. Please send good thoughts, so all of this gets done without too much distress or strain.

I've been fighting the uckies for days. They have no place, and I have no time, so they best be on their way. Since you're already sending good thoughts for the above, would you mind sending more for this? Thanks.

The weather has been incredible the last few days! Here it is November, and we've had sunny days in the low seventies. Can you believe it? If it weren't for the downed leaves, one would question if we're really smack-dab in fall.

And the things:

Avalon has had my manuscript for one month and three days. Really, that's barely even a dent in the amount of time they could take. How much longer will it be? I wish I could guess. It's not been too bad though, putting it out of my mind, with plenty of other things to concentrate on. Will they like Bliss Lake? I remain faithfully confident but, again, wish I could guess. To use a tired phrase: Only time will tell.

I haven't done any work on my WIP, Life After Death, in close to two weeks. I don't like that, and must make an effort to write something, anything. I'm in that phase where it's easier to think about it than it is to sit down and do it. Know what I mean?

I'm currently beta reading two manuscripts. I'm honored to have been asked, and love getting a first peek at fellow writers' works. And I appreciate that they take my writing seriously enough to think I can help with theirs. Thanks for this opportunity, friends. I promise to do my best.

And thanks again for all the birthday wishes yesterday! It was a great day, and I feel like I welcomed 30 with grace and happiness. Oh, and prunes. Yes. PRUNES. Here's my bouquet from the three friends who took me to lunch. Look closely.

PS. Don't forget to VOTE!

Tuesday's Stuff and Things

To continue with the prompts I’ve been working on… Marian (welcome to Something She Wrote!) gave me this one:

A plain wooden box, with hinges. Across the lid are carved the words DO NOT OPEN.



She found it among her great-aunt’s old things in the attic. She’d been digging for that elusive file of important estate paperwork, but when her hand grazed the small mahogany box, the document search was forgotten.

“Interesting,” she said aloud, her otherwise-meek voice filling the large space. “And quite mysterious, to boot.”

She traced the hand-carved words DO NOT OPEN with her forefinger.

So should she, or shouldn’t she?

“Of course I should. Who finds an amazing old box and doesn’t open it?”

Following a firm nod of her head, she used her thumbs to crack the lid. Realizing she’d closed her eyes against the anticipation, as if worried over what she would find, she laughed at herself.

A look at the now-open box revealed a ring – a diamond solitaire, dainty and held atop a tarnished setting – and a small creased and yellowed strip of paper. Her hands trembled as she smoothed the handwritten note.



My dearest Arabelle,
By now you’ve learned of my demise, and I only wish it could have been some other way. It’s with sorrow for our future lost, our love forgotten, that I leave this token of my love. Wear it always, and know of my deepest devotion to you.
Love always,
Earnest

She gasped as her heart wrenched over the words written to her aunt so long ago. Her mind spun. Who was Earnest? Did great-uncle Bernard know about him? And to what demise was the note referring?

How she wished there was someone to ask, someone to answer her questions…

Tuesday's Stuff and Things

Happy Tuesday, everyone! Not a whole lot to rattle about today...

Mmm, a good start to my day. My belly is full after a delectable breakfast burrito, made with one spinach and garlic tortilla, two scrambled eggs, pepperjack cheese and crispy strips of bacon. And now for dessert - any guesses? Yep, an iced mocha. Or two. Really, I should start advertising for them or something...

*ahem*

Ode to Sweet Mocha Goodness

Oh, Starbucks, how good you are to me,

Do you know what pleasure you bring?

The mere thought of you in the morning

makes my taste buds sing.

I seek you out at least once a day

You bring me simple happiness –

More than pure water, who needs it?

or anything with caffeinated fizz.

I find myself hunting dimes and pennies

just to purchase a bottle of you,

Sweet mocha frappuccino.

Without you what would I do?

Your low-fat concoction is bliss

your taste so divine,

When poured over ice, sipped through a straw

nothing is as fine.

You are a moment of peace

in a hectic day of mommyness.

You are mine and mine alone

and I treasure your goodness.

***

So I had no interest in reading it, even with all the hubbub. But then my friend bought the series, raved about them, and I borrowed book one.

I'm talking about this, Stephenie Meyer's Twilight. For those unfamiliar with the books, they follow the lives of some teenagers... a human girl, a vampire boy, and - I think later down the line - a love triangle presents itself with a werewolf. I know, right? Take the content mixed with the fact these are Young Adult in genre, I'd only been fascinated over Meyer's success. But I decided I'd see what all the fuss was about... I admit, I can't turn my internal editor off. Going by what I've been taught about the writing world today, I see a lot of glaring "no-nos": the overabundance of clunky, cringe-worthy adverbs like "something came to me belatedly," "he said significantly," "his expression was murderously angry," and some telling vs. showing. I'm not sure if it's author's style or the fact that she's written for teenagers, and maybe they understand such stuff better. Regardless of all this that makes me sigh, I haven't been sucked into a storyline like this in months, it's soooo good. I'm getting really caught up in what's happening. Can I avoid chores to read? Check. Can I toss the girls outside to play, and read while I keep half an eye on them from the deck? Done. Will I lose track of time as I soak in the tub, not realizing an hour-and-a-half has passed and my water has gotten as cold as the vampire's frigid hands? Yes. Yes I will. So this book is amazing. It's not up everyone's alley, I'm sure - I didn't think it was up mine. But if you're willing, I recommend it. Though maybe that's just the teenage girl who still lives inside me...

***

And I sent my (requested) full manuscript to Avalon Books yesterday. They should have it by Wednesday or Thursday. And then I wait. No telling how long. I saw some info at AW, and others have waited from 4-12 months for their rejections from Avalon. Didn't see anything about purchases. *deep breath* But we shall see. And I'll keep you posted.

And I haven't updated on my agent search in a long while since I've not heard yay or nay from anyone in weeks. At this point in time, I'm okay with that.

Everyone have a great Tuesday, and best of luck with all your endeavors - written and otherwise.

HOLY SQUEE!

In the mail this afternoon was a FULL manuscript request (on spec) from Avalon Books! Can you believe it? I can't believe it! I know this means nothing significant quite yet, but it still means something, you know?

Ohmygoodnessgivemeachillpillandcallmegood, I'm SO excited!

For now I have to calm myself enough to read the letter in its entirety, but I'll fill you in more later. I just had to come deliver this rockin' news!

SO excited!

And was it Terri who suggested I submit to Avalon? Thank you, thank you, thank you!