Writerly Musings from the Thin Computer

[cathschaffstump]

So…this morning I’m off for my annual trip to the gastroenterologist (wherein we discuss how January’s surgery has changed the reflux landscape), so I’m killing a wee bit of time before I commute over there. I’ve done the email, alerted the ELA honor guard to delay the students until later, read your entries on my friends lists, and still have a wee bit of time to kill.

I’m enjoying reading about all those stories you guys have out there, getting published. Short stories, novels, those found by agents. Congratulations! It seems that the world is abuzz with happy news. Me too. I’m working on a novel that I’m getting paid to write, that could become a series, and that has a couple of film companies waiting in the wings for it.

Like so many writers, I have a hard time focusing on the positive. I feel a bit fraudulent at the moment, mostly because I’m not sending out queries. Hulk Hercules is priority one right now. I wish I had time to crank out short stories for all the markets I’ve heard about recently. I’m particularly hot to write Mark Twain’s Daughter for the Interfictions 2 anthology now that I’m reading it, and really enjoying it.

And then there’s the whole novel thing. As long as Substance was making the rounds, I felt cool, I’m working toward getting an agent. I tell myself that I am doing the same thing by writing Hulk Hercules, as I can actually tell an agent I’ve written a book, and even, if the film deal comes through, use the book to help get an agent. I also tell myself that the jury is still out on Substance. Chances are slim it will get an agent, but it ain’t over until it’s over.

So, in addition to wanting to work on Hulk and write those short stories, I also want to be working on my Abigail Rath Versus series, which I think will be fun, and other novels I have ideas for. I don’t want to slight anything, but yeah, I want to be working on it all. I feel I should be trying to get a new agent with a new project, and trying to get into a writing work shop with short stories, and trying to publish short stories…

Okay. You guys know me. I’m really pretty patient. But we all have to have these cathartic moments, just to reveal that deep down inside, all authors are the same insecure people. I’m curious how you guys manage your hopes, your dreams, and your desires with your real life, your impatience with your patience. I’m going to go back and look at my writer’s life list, and bide my time. I’m going to wait for the storm to break. I’m going to take it one step at a time, and I’m going to put my head down, and write Sonya and Cats Curious a killer book.

It would be nice if something new would happen, if the storm would break. I feel, especially after my family went ’splodey this weekend, I deserve something nice. Then I remember that my life is pretty good, and I already have breaks other authors want.

We always want the next thing, and I guess we should just learn to appreciate the step we’re at when we’re there.

Catherine

Originally published at Writer Tamago. You can comment here or there.

Comments

[frankieb-sq87.livejournal.com]

Oy. It ain't easy. In general when I get frustrated, I sit down and make a list, mental or physical, of the good things I have or the things I am working on/toward that make me happy.

It's hard, joining this work-a-day life I have to pay the bills with the creative side, but I remind myself on occasion that I do the work so that I CAN enjoy the creative. . . at least until I get myself so established to to ONLY do the creative. :-)

[erised1810.livejournal.com]

and that... jakes perfect sense to me. i agai nwish yo uall the best of luck!!

[krysta-3.livejournal.com]

I can really empathize with your impatience. My agent has been out on maternity leave all summer and I'm dying not only to get my MS on the desks of some publishers, but to show my agent a series proposal I've worked up. And, like you, I have tons of other book ideas I want so badly to write.

Sometimes, my head seems too small to hold all of these characters and stories populating it, and I feel like I'll explode if I don't get them all on paper.

I guess what helps me keep it in perspective is keeping a file cabinet filled with those ideas in my office. Somehow, just knowing they're in there, helps me let go long enough to write the "story at hand".

Congrats again on your Hercules project! It sounds like some really awesome opportunities are going to come of it!

[cathschaffstump.livejournal.com]

I appreciate your support, and I hope you get your work published soon. Mostly because I want to read it. :)

Catherine