I haven’t blogged about writing in a while because, well, I haven’t been writing in a while.
All of the great intentions of the New Year have faded under the glare of other stuff. And there’s been A LOT of other stuff. Blinding other stuff. (Excuse numbers 17-438.)
I told my husband recently, “Don’t lecture, but I miss my book.”
He said, “Good!” and that was nice, but then he continued, “You have, what? Three finished stories? Pick one, figure out where to send it and send it. While you’re waiting to hear back about that one, get another ready and send it out…”
I said, “Sounds like a great… lecture.”
But he’s right. Man, I hate that. Just kidding, I love that he’s so supportive.
Recently I was (again) turned down for a speaking gig at a Book Fest because despite all of my experience with everything PRE-publication, I am not yet published and therefore unqualified.
I have eight years of seminars, workshops, online classes, panels, critique groups, writers’ organizations, Prompt Clubs, short story and poetry publications– some were even award-winning!, a kick-ass blog, and the awesome Word of Art book, but I have yet to get published.
What can I say? I’m a functional procrastinator.
Book?
No.
Tons of other writing related experiences?
You betcha.
Part of my problem (excuse #14) is that I have more than one Work in Progress (WiP).
Now, that shouldn’t be a problem, that should be awesome. And it was awesome when I was writing something to not finish something else, but I’ve reached a point where all that’s left is the finishing. I thought I was in a good place, ready for the NBS (next big step) but instead of advancing me, my experience with the editor, excuse #213, set me back months. Literally.
IT’S JUNE!
So I’m going to pick one and I’m going to
WiP it
Into shape
Shape it up
Get straight
Go forward
Move ahead
Try to detect it
It’s not too late
To WiP it
WiP it good
I am.
Thanks, Devo!
I’ll send it out. What have I got to lose?
I mean, it’s not getting published sitting on my desktop.
Then I’ll work on getting another one out.
Maybe, ha, since it is was I do, odds are stronger than “maybe”, but maybe I’ll finish one of the many instead of researching where to send the second one.
No lecture!
Functional procrastination.
I’m putting on some heavy-duty sunglasses and letting the glare of other stuff illuminate my publishing future.
“Wanna see you WiP it~” The Dazz Band
WiP it good!
(I’m getting ALL kinds of support!)
Hurry-up, Mary. Go for it! I know you can…your 5th grade teacher
I feel your pain sister! Some weeks I just can’t seem to raise the interest in getting queries and short stories out. I think it is a fear of being flooded with rejection letters, or worse, dead silence of not knowing. Still… move forward always.