Grumpy Dragon Wins!

I think I wrote a while back that a publisher was reviewing my book. It is a small, relatively new press and while a friend recommended her to me, I really wasn’t sure if I was doing the right thing. Well this week everything fell into place.

I have been very positive lately about my writing. I made an image board. I took pictures or images of things that I love or want in my life and glued them to a big old white board. I have God in my center. Under that I have a beautiful picture of red roses. I not only want more flowers in my life but this signifies love for me, my family’s love is very important to me.

Next to that is a big wad of cash! Truth be told money is not that important to me, but I am married to a guy who can not rest at night unless we have an abundance of savings. We are a cash only family, when there ain’t no cash, there ain’t no stuff. His happiness is what that money represents to me.

Above that is a picture of New York. I really, really, really, want to go. Up above all of it is a picture of a bunch of butterflies flying through the rays of the sun into a blue sky. Butterflies are a symbol to me of my sister, and my family. They look really free and beautiful and the picture reminds me a little of Heaven.

There is an old calligraphy pen and the words “Just Write!” Below that are dark shadows on a rippling river. The movement of a rock recently thrown through displaces the reflections of the trees around. Throughout the entire picture are images of butterflies in bright colors, pink, green and purple. This picture depicts my imagination; the thought that anything can be, if I create it.

Under that I have created a book jacket for The Spirit of Denial. I LOVE IT! It’s the title with my name under it and a black and white picture of twin babies. This is my book published, in my mind. And right next to that is a picture of a hand reaching out with a small bright blue Christmas present on it. This picture symbolizes Giving Away Christmas my movie.

So this publisher that has my book is called The Grumpy Dragon. After she took my book to review it, I stupidly asked a question of a blogger who is an assistant to a literary agent. I asked if she thought going with a small, unknown publisher was a good idea. This person took my question and went on a little public rant about The Grumpy Dragon that was less than flattering.

For the past two weeks I have felt terrible. I imagined the publisher reading the blog and being angry with me for causing it to happen. Finally after making my board and really thinking about putting good energy out into the world, I realized I had to apologize to her even if she didn’t know it had happened.

Well I did, and she didn’t. She had no idea about the blog. I pointed her to the link and waited to hear her reaction. It’s here if you want to read it but please make sure you read the comments too so you can see what The Grumpy Dragon responded. http://rejecter.blogspot.com/ SHE WAS AMAZING! She defended herself eloquently to the blogger. She absolved me of my guilt, recognizing that it wasn’t intentional and she still agreed to review my book!

I don’t know what will happen from here. I do think if nothing else I have made a valuable friend. I know her review will be tremendously helpful to my writing. I actually think we may be a perfect fit. She is new and small, but so am I! I have no idea what I’m doing; I am leading with my heart and my desire to have my book published. She has a desire to grow her company and publish books. I know this shook her confidence, my confidence waivers all the time. Who knows, maybe we will help each other and end up getting everything we want. I actually feel like this entire thing was a step in the right direction.

The World is Conspiring in My Favor! I know it!! (Its a little hard to see, but this is my writing loft. I painted those words across the windows.)

Criticism

Went to book club last night, such a great bunch of gals. We talked about Prodigal Summer, by Barbara Kingsolver. Not much to talk about it, seems no one really enjoyed it. It's funny several of us read it a few years back and actually remember liking it. Now trying to reread, couldn't remember why.

Anyway, I took the query and first two chapters of my book. It was great to be able to read it out loud, it sounds different that way, and I caught some word changes while doing it. Everyone was also really good at giving criticism. They caught a problem with the dad's booze, that I completely missed. These people are poor, dad wouldn't be drinking Chivas on the rocks, we decided Johhny Walker was more likely. There were also other tips, wording issues and overall suggestions that I really appreciate. I love to be critiqued.

I was telling them, yesterday, I posted my logline for the SP on the website Absolutewrite.com. It's a chat forum, where other writers will critique, you can ask questions, it really seems like a gem of a site. So the logline started...

When a twelve-year-old girl is forced into a bet with a school bully, to secretly give away all of her family's Christmas gifts to needy families, she quickly gets in over her head, and not only risks ruining Christmas for her family, but for an entire town.

I thought that was great. Really set my story up well. I was surprised to find out they hated it!! "huh?" one guy wrote, "I don't think your logline is supposed to make someone go, huh?" Overall, everyone was pretty confused by it, they didn't understand how you could ruin Christmas by giving away gifts to needy people. Hmm... good point.

So, after chewing on my ego for a while, I decided to just keep playing. I responded back with another try...

When a 12-year-old girl’s inspired to give away her Christmas gifts to an underprivileged school, she is unwittingly forced into a bet with a school bully to secretly give away her entire family’s Christmas gifts, and not only risks ruining Christmas for her family, but for an entire town.

(the buzzer sounds... ewwww.. can you smell that?)

okay, how about this...

When a 12-year-old girl from a wealthy, all American, over indulgent family, recognizes an imbalance after visiting a lower class, neighboring school, she decides to help; only after being provoked by the school bully, she ends up making a bet to secretly give away ALL of her family’s Christmas presents, and not only risks ruining Christmas for her family, but for the entire town that’s counting on her.

(the buzzer sounds again... nope! People shake their heads, embarrassed for me.)

So after taking a shot at my critiquer (not sure if that's really a word), I called him a 12-year-old girl and since one of his posts said he's been in the business 20 years, I'm pretty sure, he's not a 12-year-old girl, I tried again...

A precocious 12-year-old girl from a wealthy family tries to teach a town about the importance of giving, but her crusade is jeopardized when everyone, including herself, focuses on the gifts, instead of the giving.

(Crowd goes wild, erupting into a standing ovation. People cry tears of joy, I am relieved... I have succeeded. )

They liked that one, and you know what? I do too. Taking criticism is hard sometimes, but I know from experience that if I go with it, everything will come out better in the end.

Query

Okay, two of my friends have commented that they need more information. This really isnt the way you pick a book. You get the jacket flap too. So here it is... This is the query that the agents get as well- without all the "thanks for your time and consideration stuff." Feel free to pick at it.

There is a moment in every woman’s life when she realizes she’s changed. The person she used to be vanished, and what’s left is strangely unfamiliar. Frannie Murdock used to be happy. She used to be fun to be around. Now she’s lost her damn mind.

A master at changing her thoughts at a moment’s notice, Frannie finds denial, and huge amounts of alcohol, to be her best option for coping with the loss of her twin brother to Leukemia. But when she snaps mentally, and is faced with the same health concerns as her brother, Frannie sinks to her breaking point. With a sloppy, stray dog to the rescue, and her Native American therapist’s spiritual perspectives, Frannie might be able to find solid ground. Confronting her past, and her estranged relationship with her mother, may finally allow her to love a man who is consistent and dependable. While the only connection that ever mattered to Frannie, is the bond between her and her twin brother, the question becomes: is that bond strong enough to exist beyond his death, and can she still recognize it?

This book is Women’s Fiction. While it has paranormal elements, the story is more about a women’s ability to heal her spirit. My book has been called a tear jerker and a page turner, although I think it’s also sarcastic and funny. At the center, it is a search for spirit and an inquiry into how much a soul can endure.

My book- Chapter One

I decided to post the first chapter of my book. I know there are a few of you out there reading my posts and I would really appreciate an opinion. I don't want you to pat my ego... my kids do that for me, I want good criticism. This is the first chapter. This is what I send to agents. If they like it, then they'll ask for more. Would you ask for more? No? Why not? Please!! Comment.

Chapter One

A group of us, completely comfortable in each other's presence, sit out on the deck of a restaurant drinking beer. Our laughter spills over, infectious to everyone within listening distance. The afternoon sun warms us, reminding all, that summer is right around the corner.
Everyone’s drawn into the story he’s telling. Sitting on the edge of their seats, waiting for the next word. I know the punch line. I know every chapter, in every story. I touch his arm, at the exact moment everyone gets the joke, laughter erupting. He looks at me, eye's sparkling, alive, and completely happy. I remember thinking in that moment, how perfect.

That's how we used to be. The memories of myself this way, days like this, are frighteningly unclear. Something I thought I would never have to remember. Who looks at themselves at any point in their lives and thinks, I better commit this to memory because it is destined to change? I am destined to change. No one does, but it happens just the same, completely out of our control.

So, who am I now? I am crazy.

I know I'm crazy. He’s standing in front of me. Leaning towards me, completely relaxed, as if he’d just awoken from a wonderful dream. What the hell? He smiles at me in his usual arrogant way, but he doesn't say a word. I rub my eyes and wonder if it's because I am so tired. I haven't slept in days. I'm actually delirious without sleep. How else could this be happening? I sit perfectly still not daring to breath, trying not to look up, but I know he's still there. My heart beats faster and my stomach tightens. I feel the tension through my entire body, as I break into a piercing cold sweat. Shit, Shit, Shit. I clench my eyes shut. Finally, as if coming to the surface after nearly drowning, I take a slow, deep, excruciating breath, and open my eyes. He is gone.

It hasn't been very long. A few horribly painful weeks since I found myself alone for the first time in my life. Now my mind's playing tricks on me. It only takes a moment for me to convince myself, I just made it up in my head. A blink of an eye, probably less, to second guess myself. There's no way that just happened.

Suddenly, I have an incredible headache. My eyes feel like they’re burning through the sockets. I close them gently, and lay my head back. I won't think of it again. I rest for a few minutes, and then get up to take some aspirin. I force myself to choke them down with a warm beer that’s been sitting on my counter for hours now. On with my day, swallowing my anxiety
from the past few minutes, with the familiar taste of the booze.

But was it anxiety I was feeling, or was it hope.

Book Work

Been working like a dog, (I though the analogy was cute, considering) on my novel. Have a publisher, who wants to read it. I am excited, not sure what will come of it all, but just having a reader is good news. I spent Memorial weekend typing, editing and improving. I think it's better, for the time I spent. I hope so, because I neglected my family the whole weekend.

I am also, on a diet. I have no idea why?? I'm not a weight watcher, I don't even have a scale that works properly. But I've been going to a trainer, and she sold me on the idea. It's five days of shakes, fruit, vegetables and energy bars. Day one, yesterday, we went to the horse races. I decided a Boody Mary could serve as my one serving of vegetables. Other than that, I was true to the plan. Day two, today, I feel like crap!

I don't enjoy being hungry. My head is fuzzy and I'm feeling cranky. Maybe another Bloody Mary would help... if I last the entire five days, it will be a miracle.