Taking a Break

Well, I'm feeling disappointed this morning. Just received an email from Drum Magazine about my submissions that they are passing on. The editor said that there was an echo of an Elvis Costello song in "I'm So Happy" and it was strange that it was never explained or incorporated into the story. Well, because I don't know what the hell song that is. I wrote that story in high school, updated it slightly in college. I don't even think I know any Elvis Costello songs, and the only reason I even know the name was because of an episode of "Will & Grace" when they went to his concert with these two people who they were trying to replace Ellen and Rob with. I remember Grace's outfit vividly: red and leather. Soooo....

Oh well. So, apparently people aren't "getting" me. That means I need to focus more or some shit but the thought "I give up" did cross my mind.

Goals

I heard from an agency in New York, another rejection. That leaves six.

Goals this week:
- Keep writing
- Work on some short stories
- Get another round of query letters out there
- Look into self-publishing

Writing

The other day at work, I pulled out my notebook and began writing a short piece. I had been thinking about what the editor from Boston Lit Mag had said about my stories not having the twist ending they were looking for. So, I've given myself the challenge of wowing that woman. Hopefully I'll be able to submit something soon. I really want to give it another go but I also don't want to rush it. Another one of my vices...

I'm also battling a small bout of Writer's Block right now with the fourth novel. I just hope the story's not dragging. I've started re-reading what I've written so far but I'm only about five pages in. I let a friend read the first novel in this series (vamps), just waiting to hear what she has to say. I'm of course questioning myself but I'm keeping it to a minimum and trying this whole 'patiently waiting' business I've heard of. I guess that's why I haven't ripped my hair out yet over not hearing from those agents yet. I might send out a few this weekend when I get paid. Hopefully some of them aren't on hiatus.

Blocked

It's still radio silence from the last round of query letters. I'm debating on whether to send out more or wait. And on top of that I seem to be dealing with a bout of writer's block. I don't know where to take this novel (the fourth book in the vampire series). I'm reading through what I've already written and will try again. If I'm still stuck, I'll probably have to move on to one of the other projects. I still need to re-work the beginning of the Reggie book. And my Yancy one could probably use another read-through. Bleh.

Still no news...

Yesterday, I got one of my letters back, Return to Sender. It was an agency in Beverly Hills (I kept chuckling as I was addressing it -- 90210. People actually live there!). I haven't heard anything from anyone else yet. Still twiddling my thumbs.