Monday, January 12, 2009

The Savage Heart is a Glob of Jelly

I am trying to get my novel, Maggy, edited to it's white hot core, write a "pitch" and a cover letter. I have long to go before I sleep again for the next ten days or so. It doesn't help that I'm still on Prednisone. My fingers shake making typing difficult. And I grow a bit manic as well as panicked.

I have been inattentive to you. I apologize. Please bear with me as I pull my writing life together to send it out into the world to be judged by complete strangers. I have been told often that getting a first book published is damn near impossible, so cross your fingers for me as I hold my breath and take this dive into the chilly pond, mid-winter.

18 comments:

themom said...

Only good thoughts coming your way. I am so not a fan of this prednisone shit either. It has screwed me up so bad....soon, no more!

Anonymous said...

Fingers crossed for you! I will be in a similar boat later this year and just thinking about it makes me want to throw up a little.

Utah Savage said...

I was supposed to come off it today, but it did not happen. Still waking up at night coughing. I'm fairly fine during the day, but can't lie down at night without racking coughs. But I'll be better soon. Maybe the sleeplessness that is also a side effect of the Prednisone will help here. Can't sleep? Edit!

Utah Savage said...

Here I am, 64 and never published. I have never really tried. I have thought about it. Even purchased copy after copy of the Writer's Market. But never got the nerve, never thought I was ready for prime time. Now I'm overdue. This body probably does come with an expiration date and I'm probably closing in on it. This has to be the year I publish something or stop pretending I'm a writer.

splord said...

Looking forward to seeing it on the bookstore shelves!!

BBC said...

I have been told often that getting a first book published is damn near impossible,

It's even more impossible to make any money off of it even if it does get published.

I would never depend on making money off of publishing a book.

If I need more money I have other ways to make it (but I have all I need). Maybe not a lot, but at least I'm not chasing dreams.

Having said that, good luck.

BBC said...

If all you want to be is to be published why not just post it on the internet for all to read for free?

If I ever get around to writing a book that is exactly what I will do.

Linda-Sama said...

I'm rootin' for ya, sistah. and if you don't get published, remember two very important things:

1. it's THEM not YOU.

2. fuck 'em

lisahgolden said...

Don't you worry about us, other than to let us know that you're doing okay. You don't have to entertain us. Get the book done so we can cheer you! You can do this.

Life As I Know It Now said...

good luck with the writing. when you get published, and you will, I'll buy a copy for the library, k?

La Belette Rouge said...

We have something in common I am working on my book proposal that I have to have in by Wednesday. I am not doing anything but working on it with occasional blogging breaks.

Good luck to you.I am rooting for you!!

Linda-Sama said...

and don't forget that book signing tour through chicago

Stella by Starlight said...

Utah, Maggy is a masterpiece. You are not pretending to be a writer: you're gifted. I'm going to envision you're writing being on the shelf of a book store and you doing signing tours all over the world, including Italy.

=)

BBC, ROFLOLTSDMCAY ignorance.

L:)

susan said...

I hate going to the doctor complaining of a cough. He always tells me to stop smoking as he writes the prescription. nag nag nag

All I can say about the novel writing contest is that if your book is chosen be happy because the judges are obviously sensitive and intelligent. If it isn't chosen be happy because who in their right mind would take to heart the decision of assholes and idiots?

You try your best and things unfold as they are meant to in this time and place. Be easy.

Dr. Monkey Von Monkerstein said...

Best of luck with all that. I got my second novel published by a tiny publisher here in TN and even though I only sold a little over a hundred books it was a quite a thrill for me.

giggles said...

You GO GIRL!!!!! (MY favorite cheer, can you tell?!)

You'll tour thru Philly and stay here?

Lerality: Don't buy a copy for the library....just tell everyone about it and talk about it and Utah alot and make EVERYONE go out and buy the book....it's all about sales!!

(BBC had something "nice" to say?!)

D.K. Raed said...

Sounds like good news. I'll semi-cross my stiff arthritic fingers, and even my broken toe, for YOU!

ps, when I took pred, my face swelled up like a prizefighter. Side effect or imaginery encounter with Mike Tyson, I was never sure. Never took it again either.

Randal Graves said...

Let us know if you want us to form a mob and rough some agents up.