One Small Success and Overdue Library Books

Last summer while reading Neil Gaiman's book of short stories called Fragile Things: Short Fictions and Wonders I was amazed by his methods as a writer - getting an inspiration for a story and immediately writing the entire thing, let's say during a flight to a particular city. In other words, he can write his stories in one sitting.

For those of us with toddlers, heaping mounds of laundry, and television programs to watch, writing a story in the span of a few hours is not very realistic. I my case, writing historical fiction short stories, I prefer to take it slowly - purging my brain in small inspirational bursts. Historical fiction is all about facts and I definitely do not want to be the nincompoop that gets her literary start by getting important details wrong. With that said, I have successfully completed the first half of a short story that I am becoming more and more proud of. One small step for man...

Now, as much as I would like to sit in a room surrounded by books that never have to be returned to libraries or friends and magically appear as I need them, I do have to think of little things such as due dates.

It is becoming more and more expensive to buy ink cartridges for the home printer, and even more to pay for copies at, let's say, Kinkos. So, I've figured out that between making copies of the many pages of a particular library book and then having to buy a new cartridge because I have used the ink up pretty much equals the price to buy the book from the bookstore. However, as awesome as it would be to have an unlimited bank account designated for the purchasing of books - either for pleasure or research, of course - this little resource does not exist, for me at least. So, now I am facing the issue of having to continue to recheck out the book over and over until I have the money to order a copy for myself (it is not one that can be found easily on the Barnes & Noble shelves) and NOT let myself mark or highlight in the library's copy. Therefore, I will keep the library book until I can get my own or else the Shreveport library system sends the book police after me.

I can see it now... A burly dog catcher-type man wielding a large net and a Taser gun waiting for me to leave my house so that he can shock me to the ground before scooping up my overdue library books in his net. Did I mention that he is wearing special goggles in case the reader tries to scratch his eyeballs out for taking his or her books? If it turns out that you never leave your house, said library police bursts through your door, pours out your coffee, takes books, and locks you up in a cell where no reading is allowed until you pay the fee and promise to buy your books from the store from now on.

Somebody should write a story about this...

Finding the Positive Through Rejection

I always know that I have received a response letter from the editor of a particular journal that I have submitted to when I spy an envelope in my mailbox written upon with my own handwriting. Believe it or not, the SASE does still exist.

I never know when one of these letters will show up in the day's stack of bills and bank statements and my breath always catches before opening one. The first couple of letters I received, I have to admit that I felt like a little kid opening presents on Christmas morning. I was let down when the only thing I found in my "stocking" was a lump of coal.

Thank you for letting us consider your work for publication in ____ Review. We found your writing to be of exceptional quality. Unfortunately.... blah blah blah.

I have gone through the various stages of emotion, much like a person grieving over a departed loved one. Initially I was very let down, sad even. My husband immediately responded to my disappointment with a hug and encouragement to trudge on and try again. I then resolved to be angry, offended that my literary works were brushed aside or rejected completely.

This week I have received two of these "not at this time" letters, one via SASE and one via e-mail. My breath still caught at the sight of Editor in the address portion of my inbox and my own sloppy handwriting on an envelope underneath my Comcast bill. Instead of feeling sad or angry, I laughed. I knew what they were going to say. I have finally figured out that I can laugh and be happy that somebody who knows something about literature has taken the time to just read my stuff. It has given me the "I'll show 'em!" attitude.

While doing some research on a short story(sitting in a room full of soccer moms while my daughter got her 45 minutes worth of dance instruction), I got an idea for yet another story! Bonus - I even thought up the first line! I lay in bed last night with a pretty floral journal that my best friend gave me for Christmas. Instead of writing down the idea for the tale, I actually began to write it! When my husband came to bed, I was already 3 pages into the story. I was scribbling like a mad woman and finally had to call it quits when my eyes began to get tired, my hands asleep from writing in an upward position. I'm eager to continue at bedtime tonight...my favorite time to write. The creative part of my brain is rolling like a mouse in a wheel.

Hey...I think I've gotten my groove back!

A + B = Creating My Writing Niche

In an attempt to get my writing groove back, I decided that the best way to do this would be to create a comfortable writing area. When I was on a roll before Christmas, I sat propped up in bed, leaning against the head board. Now that we have a new bed, however, there is no head board to prop against.

I have spent this week gathering accessories from different stores around town. None of the items were expensive but paired right, they come together to make a cute little niche. Yes, I had to take shelf back to the store because it didn't come with mounting hardware. Yes, I had to wait for my husband to help me drill the screws into the wall to hang it. Yes, I have forced my cat to find a new place to lounge after switching out chairs. All in all, I think it will be worthwhile. Now if I could get rid of this aggravating head cold! Achooo!

"Once upon a time......."

Books, Books, and More Books

In trying to make a comfortable writing space, it was necessary for me to move several pieces of furniture in the room. It seems as if the more books I unload from an area, the more books I discover I had stuck there for "the time being". They've spent months sitting on shelves collecting dust bunnies, waiting for me to pick them up again-many of which have never been read.

Beth Carswell from Abe Books lists the following reasons why these dusty relics have yet to be read:

• It's a book I feel like I should read
• It's part of a series and I have not read the others yet
• Everyone I know is recommending it
• It's intimidatingly enormous
• It's a classic
• My reading stacks get wildly out of control
• The siren call of the bargain bin
• The author wrote something else we like
• It's a textbook or assignment
• We have a friend who works at the bookshop
• It was a gift (my addition)

Remaining Unread: The Top Ten Reasons We Don’t Get to Certain Books Read the entire Abe Books article.

Getting Back Into the Groove

It has been a wonderful holiday season and the new year has officially begun. After a research trip to New Orleans, Christmas day at home, a second Christmas in Alabama, and a New Years Eve/day of taking care of sick family members, I'm having a hard time finding my writing groove again. How does one do it after so much hustle and bustle? How do you get the natural flow back without trying too hard (which messes up everything of course)?

I mentioned in a previous post that author Anne Rice frequently writes little blurbs on Facebook, supporting "wanna-be" novelists. I am now almost convinced that Anne is just my conscience speaking. Her newest series of encouragement reads as follows:

All aspiring writers out there: know that we need you, we need your voice, your vision, your stories. Be brave. Go where the pain is; go where the pleasure is. Seek to create in words the world in which you long to live.

On Writing: I wish all you writers out there a bountiful and good year. If you're new to the game, faith in yourself is your greatest asset. Never revise a book based on a rejection. Never. Believe in yourself and keep going. And may this year bring you success.

New writers young and old, may you be fearless. May you go where the pain is, and go where the pleasure is, may you dare to write the novels of your dreams, and stand by them. May you create the classics of tomorrow! Happy 2010. Make this a decade of great literature.

Can it get any better than that? Now if that doesn't light a fire, I don't know what will!