I heard a story (perhaps apocryphal) about Douglas Adams, who having blown a deadline or two, received a visit from his editor. He said, "I'm taking care of a few things upstairs, but I'll have the manuscript for you in a minute." He made the gentleman tea and returned upstairs.
Five minutes later he came downstairs with one sheet of paper, page one of his manuscript, and went back upstairs.
Five minutes later, he returned with a second sheet of paper.
I'm reminded of Rocky III. Clubber Lang knocks out Balboa because the champ lost the "eye of the tiger." Living on the hungry end of the publishing chain, it's hard to comprehend a belly too full to hunt.
Stories like this drive me crazy. I have written 8 novels, all while working full time, participated in critique groups and incorporated their feedback, had editors in consultations speak favorably on my writing and the book, and focus on unique and high concept story lines. Yet I can't get an agent. I have no comment for writers who can't produce regularly.
15 comments:
I heard a story (perhaps apocryphal) about Douglas Adams, who having blown a deadline or two, received a visit from his editor. He said, "I'm taking care of a few things upstairs, but I'll have the manuscript for you in a minute." He made the gentleman tea and returned upstairs.
Five minutes later he came downstairs with one sheet of paper, page one of his manuscript, and went back upstairs.
Five minutes later, he returned with a second sheet of paper.
:-) Not sure how long that went on.
I carry a copy of _The Salmon of Doubt_ in the pocket of a parka during the winter. I read from it as I am delayed. The story appears in its pages.
Bona fides in hand, the story for Mr. Adams' editor is also apocalyptical.
FC has some chutzpah.
OMGOSH they are so prepared you must be a very proud fairy shark mother. :D
Just add fire.
Step two: Open the packaging.
Step three: place pens off to the side.
Step four: select one notepad.
Step five: select one pen.
Step six: ...
I'm reminded of Rocky III. Clubber Lang knocks out Balboa because the champ lost the "eye of the tiger." Living on the hungry end of the publishing chain, it's hard to comprehend a belly too full to hunt.
I am sitting here with four very fresh stitches in my left index finger.
I have a wrapping so bulky I cannot bend it and am mourning the loss of my knitting ability for a week, at least.
I am about to continue a rewrite I began last week.
I have no sympathy.
Stories like this drive me crazy. I have written 8 novels, all while working full time, participated in critique groups and incorporated their feedback, had editors in consultations speak favorably on my writing and the book, and focus on unique and high concept story lines. Yet I can't get an agent. I have no comment for writers who can't produce regularly.
I'm pretty sure I have most of the words. Most of them. I just have to put them in the right order.
Shouldn't there be a bottle of bourbon in that picture? A tumbler? A jigger?
The deadlines we have drunk away. . .
I have no idea who FC is...but I like them.
He should have included a siphon, enabling you to SUCK THE WORDS OUT OF HIS HEAD!
Boy, do I know how that must feel...(as I continue to work on my next book and tell every fan I meet who asks, "It's almost done!")
We writers are such liars...but that's why they call it fiction, isn't it?
I have this same kit! Do you think FC could send me a copy of the instructions? I seem to have lost mine.
Terri
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