Just When I Thought All Was Dandy...

I think I mentioned in my last post how I'd been down with the cruddies. Spent over a week fighting various cold and sinus symptoms, while at the same time not getting any writing done. Thought I was on the mend, slowly working my way back to energy and health, when a burning sore throat began Thursday evening. Then the aches started. Couldn't sleep through the night and awoke to misery Friday.

Hubby was my hero. He stayed home from work, taking care of the girls (and me). He ferried the oldest to and from preschool and also did some grocery shopping to boot (not his forte, but we can live on hot dogs and Frosted Flakes for a few days...). I couldn't have expected more out of him.

I spent the day on the couch, in and out of sleep. Finally made it to the doctor mid-afternoon, where both strep and flu tests came back negative. (I'd never had a flu test done... they stick a swab up your nose and twist. Ugh. Very unnatural, if you ask me.) But he gave me two medicines anyway; one for chest and head congestion, the other for body aches. My first doses along with a full night's sleep gave me the boost I needed to get back on my feet again. I'm moving slowly but, as hubby went back to work today, I can tend to my daughters' basic needs.

I'm sad no writing has been done. Before the ickies got me I had idea after idea boppin' around in my noggin. I think they're still there somewhere, but I'll have to unearth them from the snot and lethargy. If I can get enough energy up to make the house neat and functional again, I should be able to sit back at the computer and get some things accomplished. It goes back to my need for balance - if my house is out of whack I can't get any writing done. Make sense?

What's worse: My down days haven't stopped editors from rejecting my work. I've gotten two rejections via e-mail, and one through the mail. The letter response was from Guideposts and it might quite possibly be the nicest I've received. Gives me hope for both the article and future submissions to the publication. One e-mail reponse was very generic, just as you'd expect; the other quite pleasant. The editor said she liked my work but they didn't use any freelancers for the category my article would have fallen under. But, she's going to keep my info on file for the future. (Do you think that's true, or were they just words?) I, just a little bit ago, e-mailed her again, asking if there are any voids they need filled within their publication. Perhaps, if I build a rapport with her, I can still get something printed. Eh?

Anyway, just a long, winding blog as I gather my thoughts. Hope all are well and that you're succeeding in all your writing endeavors. Until next time...

Freelancing is Fun!

I'm really getting the hang of this freelancing stuff. Been submitting queries and full submissions like mad the last week, and the ideas keep coming. I just feel so good about this year and all the possibilities!

I'd just sent out an e-mail query to All You (minutes ago) and, when I returned to my inbox, I had a full request for another article I'd queried last week. What a high!

I've also been sending e-mails, inquiring of web-content and blogger jobs. I got word from one of the sites, and you're lookin' at (you know what I mean) a new edition to Type-A Mom online. You can visit here to see my first publication. 'Tis exciting! I'll be focusing on the topics of Toddlers and Preschoolers, since I have one of each. Got a couple articles in the thinking stage right now; hopefully I can get those done within the week.

All it takes, guys, is faith and perseverance. You've got to believe in your skills as a writer, then get to work and start submitting. Onward, gang!

My 2008 Goals... And Anthology Guidelines

I've decided to work toward a higher number of submissions (and hopefully publications) in the coming year. The exciting part is that not only will it continue to build my resume, it'll - potentially - pay well! I know it can be done, and this is my year to try it for myself. Magazine articles/essays are good possibilities, but I'm also really intrigued by anthologies, like Chicken Soup for the Soul.

And yippee! I've gotten a headstart. Last week I submitted pieces to both a Chicken Soup title and a newer anthology called True Real Estate Stories. Yesterday I sent off a first-person narrative to Guideposts, which, if bought, would be my first national publication. How cool would that be?! I've one more essay sub due to Chicken Soup at the end of this month, another later in the new year, and have been directed to a few websites that give submission guidelines for other anthologies. For anyone interested, they are:

Anthologies Online

Del.icio.us/Anthologies

Common Ties

Work on my novel has seriously slowed down; I haven't looked at it in at least a few weeks. Part of me is disappointed, but I was needing a long break from it. And I'm not ready to force myself with it just yet. I did come up with the concept for another novel (and Hubby likes it much better than my current WIP)... I may decide to start some work on it.

The good news is, I have 12 whole months (and beyond) ahead of me. What I can accomplish in that amount of time is up to me, and I'm excited to see what I can do.

I hope everyone has a great Christmas! May you be blessed in the new year.
Janna