Writing

Bliss And Doldroms

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My manuscript is with an editor who hasn’t made a peep for several weeks.  She is a friend of my mentor’s so he roped her in to take a look at my novel.  Not a peep from her.  Maybe she hates it.  Maybe it sucks to high heaven and hell.  Maybe I’m not a writer.

Since I can’t work on my novel, I’ve been pulling short stories out of my files and finishing them.  A strange thing happened on the way to actually liking a writing task.  Yes, I’ve changed from moaning and weeping at the difficulties to enjoying rewrites, critiques and having my work published.  This feeling didn’t blossom over the years.  It was a result of  finally getting something published followed by my mean mentor forcing me to write for 2 1/2 weeks until I almost died, *yes, drama*  I will write a blog on that experience so you can weep along with me. 😦

But still, there is a lingering voice in my head that creeps into my bliss and whispers, ‘Your writing sucks.’

Whatever.  Today, I shall write.

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Summer Breeze

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My first novel has been coming along painstakingly slow (years) but I’m finally near the end of my ride. Thank gawd.  Yesterday, I met with my mentor who breathed fire and had coals for his eyes.  I was expecting to dawdle along with my manuscript for a couple more months but he wasn’t having it.  The novel must be ready to submit to a professional editor at any moment now.  *a whistle blows*  I’m waiting for him to let me know where and to whom I should mail it.  This is  all great!  I don’t know why it is causing me such anxiety pains.   Meanwhile, I’m having to complete a short story and have it on his desk by Friday.  Arrrgh!  How can a fire breathing, coal eyed man expect a short story and a completed novel?  Lawd, have I not suffered enough?

In case he reads this, I can honestly say that he is the best mentor in the history of mentoring.  His name is Shaun Levin and he is also the author of several novels and the editor of Chroma Journal.  DO NOT mention his eyes of coal or you will  be burned to a crisp or offered a pastry and a cup of coffee.