Family Emergency

Cross posted from my personal journal...

You know those release forms you sign before you go in for surgery? The ones with the horrible things on them that the medical staff will tell you are less risky than the surgery? Those forms are there for a reason.

Two weeks ago Bryon's older brother Craig had a mild heart attack. He spent a day in ICU, they checked him over, and because of some of the drugs they used to treat him, they scheduled him for a stint in around two weeks. No one was worried. The procedure was supposed to be an easy operation, he would stay in the hospital overnight, and he would come the next day.

Except it didn't go quite like that.

While the doctors were putting in the first stint, Craig developed a blood clot. The doctors resuscitated him on the operating table, and then they had to put in another stint. Which led to another blood clot.

Bryon's parents called us last night after they'd spent the day at the hospital on this little emotional roller coaster. Craig is in ICU, they figure, for about a week under observation. They're both in their 80s, and they're pretty wrung out, so we're going do to the old homestead to see to their needs, and of course Craig and Craig's family. They must all be so worried.

Unlike my failed family, Bryon's family is strong and close. Craig is the child Phyllis and Neal understand the most. He's the most like them. He's the one that lives closest. He has the same philosophy in life, and he's the one that helps them. It's not that Phyllis and Neal don't love Mike and Bryon, but I strongly suspect Craig is their favorite son.

I'm glad he's still alive. We almost lost him yesterday. He's around 55, and he was a smoker until his first mild heart attack at 49. Please quit if you're smoking. I'm just saying.

I'll be away from the computer this weekend then. Stay safe and healthy, everyone. I'll be back Monday.

Catherine

Mirrored from Writer Tamago.

Publishing and Self-Publishing

This topic is going around, and because I wrote a monstrous response over in Jim Hines' website, I reproduce it here.

What I want to do is publish, not self publish. My writing goals run more toward those that a publisher can satisfy.

I want a better shot at long term staying power. I want money to come to me, rather than having to invest in a start-up business. I want some modicum of promotional support.

I want a publisher's distribution network. I want to network with a stable of writers that write under the same umbrella.

I would like to have my books in book stores. I want to walk into shops and take pictures of my books in the wild, without me having to finagle to get them onto the shelves. I would like readers I don't have to wrangle with to get.

I would like a shot at writing a book again. I would like to sell a book on spec, rather than having to go through the uncertainty of writing an entire book and hoping it will sell every time.

I want the awesome power of an editor to make my book better. I know that a good editor can work wonders for any writer. I want that partnership, especially because editors are not easy on you. I am grateful for the editors who have worked with me on my published projects thus far, making me more aware that it takes a village--um--publishing company. I want to be pushed.

I am willing to work at it for a few years until I get these things. If it takes less time, groovy. If more, well, at least I like writing, and that's a good reason to write.

I believe that if you work at it, you hone your craft, you keep submitting, and you listen to good editors and agents, you'll get there. After all, I didn't get to the point I am in academia without a few years of work either.

I do have friends who have decided to self-publish, and I think their goals are different than mine. I respect that. What makes you happy is what you should do.

The things I want to accomplish in my writing career are more likely if I follow the route to working with an established publisher.

So yeah, color me patient.

Catherine

Mirrored from Writer Tamago.