Scrubs and Ego

I am into the second scrub of the sequel to the novel The Girl Who Was Allergic to the Cold, called The Girl Who Escaped the Cold. Why is that important you may ask? Well, it's not. Except to me. And, maybe to my future literary agent and/or publisher. On that note, I have interest from two but no offers of representation yet. Fingers crossed.

Writing is a curious process. I feel like I'm working it everyday, but what I'm really doing is refining what I've already written. Is that writing? I think so. I hope so. One thing for sure, the book needs it. I don't care if you're a polished best seller, your initial draft is probably crap. Can i say crap? Crap's not a bad word, is it? I don't think so. I say it a lot when I'm scrubbing.

I'm getting tired of not writing something new and original. I'm also getting tired of having no idea on the brink dying to get out. This is where I have to be patient. Ideas always come. They always have. They always will? Yeah, they always will. I think. No, I trust. Whew. That was me breathing out angst and anxiety.

It's tough these days to breath out angst and anxiety. So many things I have to give to God. It's been a real test for me since November 7, 2024 and I'm getting loads of practice. I'm reminded every morning that most of what's going on in the world is over my pay grade. It's humbling. And, that's good for a writer. Nothing screams rewrite like ego.

So, I'll keep scrubbing and doodling, scribbling ideas and sending out inquiries. The ins and outs of getting an agent and getting a book published are so precise and totally random. I got a response from an agent the other day saying my "query" letter was way too long and confusing. The same letter (personalized, of course) got "what a delightful" from another. It's hard to know where I go with that, or if I go at all. I suppose like all the other aspirants I'll close my eyes and hope for the best. Oh, the long and confusing agent? She asked me to re-tool and send her a sample of the book. So, there's that. I tell you, I'm just trying to figure it out. Maybe there isn't a right way. Just a way. Which is what most of them say when they reject my submission -- it's subjective. Well, thank God for small favors because I can keep believing my NY Times bestseller is inches from recognition, no matter how many rejections I receive.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not discouraged. Life is a series of inches. And, this week I got a couple closer. So, that feels good. I'll keep you posted on the literary front as it develops.

In other good news, my acting rep hadn't contacted me for a year. And, believe me, I tried.I emailed, I called, I left messages on the website. M.I.A. I waited a year because of the book and the contract I signed, but told the agency I was leaving. The owner (a guy named Frederick I've never met) "begged" me to give him another chance. "We've had a lot of changes," he told me. (I quoted begged because he didn't really beg, he implored). I thought, sure. Nice to have someone working for me while I look for another agency. And, lo and behold, I got an audition through them. First in a year. And, for an Amazon show. Nice.

I was feeling pretty good about it when one of the agents to whom I reached out contacted me and asked for a meeting. Well, hello Martha! She's with a very good agency and I'm pretty excited. As far as my old agency is concerned, they can't be surprised if I sign with someone else. I mean, a year!

I'll let you know how it goes. If you're curious before then, take a look at my IMDB page in a couple weeks. With luck (or should I say hope) I'll have a rep to show for it.

Enough for now. Fight back when necessary, be kind always and stay blessed.