Yesterday, I spent two hours in the pool playing pearl diver. The wind whipped up and the walnut tree twenty feet away dumped half its leaves onto the pool. Before I could turn on the pump, I had to scoop a thick layer of leaves from the steps. When there’s that much debris, it tends to move. I found a live salamander, a live frog and tons of crickets.
The pearl diving came in when I got the surface clean then had to take a small hand-held net and dive to the bottom because there were too many leaves for the robot to handle. I like to pretend I live on some South Sea island and have to dive for pearls at the bottom of the ocean. I’d suck at it in real life. I can’t hold my breath longer than 15 seconds when I’m exerting myself, and I’d have to tie huge boulders to my waist to get my fat ass down 50 feet—fat floats quite well, ya know.
I didn’t mind the time away from my desk. I received a “this isn’t quite right, but I’d be willing to look at revisions” answer on one of my proposals. First reaction was extreme disappointment. Naturally. Second was anger. Third was call a friend to see if she had time to look at the notes and the work and see if there’s hope. Since the friend writes for that publisher, her opinion was very helpful. Plus she reminded me that this particular line tends to put authors through a bit of hazing before acceptance.
So now I have my head in a more positive place. I didn’t get a flat no. I have the invitation to resubmit the same work or something else. I’ll work on revising and ship it back out—just not today. I need to work on something that will be more immediately successful. Egos are fragile things. And while I tend to think I’m tougher than the average person, I can still get huge dents in my armor.
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I cant swim and my fat booty doesnt float well either. I make a very pretty ornament for the side of the pool though. 🙂
Sorry about the R&R but you can do it. And didnt you just tell me yesterday that critism is good. I think once you get the revisions together they will love it. If not you can pitch it somewhere else.
If you want a readers opinion you have my email.
Last night I dreamed a whole story from start to finish, saw myself writing it, and then my name on the NY Times Best Seller List. So now I want it. I just to my BFF the other day I dont care about being published in the fiction market as long as I get professional recognition. Now I want to be published…
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Heather! Yup, I like to practice what I preach. But I do give myself a little slack to mope. But only for a day. You had “the dream”? Maybe it’s a sign. Get your ass in gear and start writing!! 😀
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Sorry for the revising thing, Delilah–glad you were able to get some good insight from your friend! And hang in there–it *is* hard to get less than raves right off, but those raves will come too!
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I think you have a good, logical approach to an emotional let down. We all experience them. Unfortunately, I usually tend to give myself more than a day. And, I have no doubt that your idea was good; you are simply too creative.
Also, this may sound silly, but the forced pearl diving was actually a good thing. Exercise produces Norepinephrine in our body which helps us deal with stress.
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We’re behind you. Good luck with the revisions.
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Fedora! Thanks for the vote of confidence!
Sonya! I knew “pearl diving” wasn’t crazy! 😆
Jane! Thanks, hon!