So, the story I mentioned yesterday?  The one that’s been held since last year for possible inclusion in a forthcoming anthology?  The editor said the publisher didn’t think it fit the anthology.  Sigh. 

My day just keeps getting better.  I need a drink.

Posted by Kristina in Writing at 06:55 PM Permalink

Have you ever heard a child scream so loud it made your teeth hurt?  I’m being serious.  I suppose it’s all right if it’s your child or you work in a daycare or are taking part in a family reunion or happen to be hanging out at the play area at McDonald’s on a Saturday afternoon, but I work in a library.  A library.  Children should not be allowed to make that much noise in a library.  And parents should not gently stroke the rigid back of said screaming child (who was neither injured nor ill, but simply in full-on tantrum-throwing mode) and say, “It’s okay, sweetheart.”

I need someone to stroke my back and say, “It’s okay, sweetheart.” Except that might make me scream.  Or kick something.

Posted by Kristina in Musings at 05:58 PM Permalink

I was right, I didn’t want to go back to work today.  I probably won’t want to go back tomorrow, either.  Sigh. 

I have a mental list of writing projects I want to pursue.  I should probably put this list down on paper, but it’s intimidating.  It involves keeping a lot of balls in the air (no smart remarks, thank you very much) and being very disciplined.  Who, me?  Okay, so I can be disciplined when I need to be.  I’m still inherently lazy.

Funny thing is, staying where I am, in the job I’ve been doing while making the occasional writing sale, is easy compared to the list of goals I have in my head. 

I guess I’m getting tired of easy.

Posted by Kristina in Musings at 12:37 AM Permalink

I may possibly have another story sale to report soon.  This is a submission, that dates back to last year.  At the time, the editor didn’t think my story fit that particular anthology but asked to hold it for an upcoming anthology.  She has been very good about staying in contact and letting me know my story is still under consideration.  Now I’m waiting for the final word. 

I was thinking about this particular story because I had made a note in my submissions file that I should be getting a contract for it this month.  That wasn’t me being optimistic, I was going by what the editor said and her enthusiasm for my writing.  As I haven’t resubmitted the story elsewhere out of consideration for the editor, I’m hoping she still wants it.  There are no guarantees, as I keep reminding myself.

The solution to waiting for editors is, of course, making more submissions.  I’m certainly getting better about that in recent months.  Not as good as I should be or even as good as I was four or five years ago, but better than I have been in recent years.  It’s a comfortable (and comforting) pattern, the writing-submitting-writing some more, while waiting for responses.  There is always a chance good luck will come in the next e-mail or phone call.  Nice surprises, like my recent multiple sales.

Despite the frustration and self-doubt and anticipation of rejection, making the sale is always, always worth the wait.

Posted by Kristina in Writing at 12:05 AM Permalink

It’s official.  It’s going to be a Kerry-Edwards Democratic ticket.  I think McCain would have had more of an edge and attracted a slightly wider demographic, but Edwards will do just fine.  He has boyish good looks (though I think he makes Kerry look older than he is), he’s from the South and he has a cute little family.  And for those who are more concerned about his politics than his looks, his track record is pretty good.  I’m not sure he’s going to change anyone’s mind about whom to vote for, but he’s benign enough (and healthy and young enough) not to hurt Kerry’s chances and doesn’t seem to have made a lot of enemies (which might have been McCain’s major weakness).

Another gentle reminder to those who haven’t yet registered to vote:  don’t make me come after you.

Posted by Kristina in Politics at 10:58 AM Permalink