FRIDAY STIR FRY - Random Thoughts

Well, believe it or not, I'm way behind on NaNo as you can see from my miserable word counter. Oh well.

Received another rejection this week for BTH. Up to ten now, I think. I've lost count and interest. I'm really tired of the whole process. Sending the query or whatever the heck they want and then waiting, waiting and waiting. Only to get turned down. Considering putting it on Kindle. If I could only have a week off work so I could do a cover and format it and all that good stuff. I don't think two days on the weekend will be enough. Plus I don't have a clue how to do a cover. There are peeps who have offered to help. We'll see.

Work is kicking my butt (which is my excuse for my pitiful word count). A person in our department is leaving and the three of us that are left are trying to divide her work up between us. My old brain is having to learn new stuff. But, MAYBE, if they don't need to hire somebody, we can get a raise when she leaves. Not sure I'm going to survive to see that.

On a brighter note, I'm loving my new car. Need to take a road trip soon.

Which brings me to my question of the week. Where do you like to go on a one day road trip?

http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1422898

FRIDAY STIR FRY - Whatever



This started off as a pity party post. Here's part of it. "What a frustrating month. First, I fall and go boom. Now, I have the mother of all colds. And to top it off, it's looking like I didn't make it to the top 50 of SYTYCW contest. And now my desktop computer is acting up."  I deleted a lot, believe me.

http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1139529

Somebody get me a little cheese with that whine would you? I prefer Colby.

Life is full of shitty days. One thing I really try to remember is - This too shall pass. And I know it all will be a distant memory someday. But, I must say of all the trials and tribulations of this past month, the one that hurts the most is the writing contest failure. Because, dammit, this is a good story.

All writers believe their babies are the cutest, the best, the top in their class. We gave birth to this story. It's a part of us. When it's rejected over and over it hurts. Everyone knows this is part of the traditional publishing business. I'm up to 10 rejections including this contest. I've heard all the stories of famous author's books and their many rejections. You know what, it doesn't help.

So, pass the cheese and then tell me how you deal with rejection.

FRIDAY STIR FRY - Putting It In Perspective

Life happens. Or it doesn't.

My supervisor at work is dealing with her husband's incurable cancer. She's been gone a lot and when she's here, there are a lot of tears and calls to doctor offices. They've been married over 40 years. She will soon lose the only person she has said good night and good morning to every day for most of her life.

I'm sure she is thinking about all the fights she wish never happened and all the missed opportunities to spend more time together. I see the regret in her eyes at times.

It makes me realize my problems are very, very minor.  The rejection letters that are starting to accumulate don't mean a thing. I still have time to keep trying and keep writing my stories.

Time is running out for Erma and Aubrey. Death is knocking on their door and won't go away. 

Friday Stir Fry - Blah

Did anybody notice I didn't post last week? Please say yes.

Anyway, I had a pity party last week. I believe everyone is allowed one of those once in a while. As long as you don't make a habit of it and become a real Debbie Downer.

Why was I feeling sorry for myself? Several reasons. I received my second rejection letter for Beyond the Horizon. I know that's nothing compared to other writers. We've all heard the story of JK Rowling. And "The Help" was rejected about 60 times. Maybe after the 10th or 20th one I won't feel so bad about the process. Of course all my writer friends congratulated me for at least sending it out there. Whoopee!

Then the weather turned to crap. Friday we had 35 degrees and snow and sleet. Why should that get me down. I HATE THAT STUFF. And to add insult to injury, our work turned off the heat earlier in the week. I literally froze to death at my desk. Turtle neck, sweater, coat and a blanket over my legs. I was not a happy camper.

And probably the most deciding factor in my mood - I'd let my Prozac run out for about 3 days. Not a good idea. My co-workers told me in no uncertain terms to never let that happen again.

But, I'm on the rebound. I'm researching agents and publishing houses and I've got my book with a Beta reader for some feedback. I got my prescription re-filled and the weather has gotten better. And here I am writing a new post.

Here's to hoping when your pity party arrives, it doesn't last long and when you come out the other side, you have re-newed energy and purpose.