tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post115775754149937196..comments2024-03-18T09:09:59.625-04:00Comments on Janet Reid, Literary Agent: I'm going to be a One Book Wonder. Will you still want me?Janet Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00615380335938685231noreply@blogger.comBlogger105125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-39510555736356297302016-04-08T11:30:46.846-04:002016-04-08T11:30:46.846-04:00DLM: That's a good deed for a YEAR, if you ask...DLM: That's a good deed for a YEAR, if you ask me.<br /><br />Julie: Because you mentioned Diana - SiWC just got their presenter's list up for this year, and Diana is on it. I'm going to scrimp and save until June (when registration opens) so I can go this year. Maybe this will be the year we meet in person? Assuming you're able to go, of course.BJ Muntainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12977414826388000094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-10058721020421605562016-04-08T09:38:14.448-04:002016-04-08T09:38:14.448-04:00Colin,
Happy is the man who knows where his pants...Colin,<br /><br />Happy is the man who knows where his pants are.<br /><br />True.<br /><br />I have a two sort of crazy twin Cajun cowboys in Dancing Horses who are involved in some chaotic missing pants scenes.Julie Weathershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13725236516593676381noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-49033689821534784112016-04-08T07:23:03.184-04:002016-04-08T07:23:03.184-04:00Jenny C. and Panda, fabulous felicitations to you ...Jenny C. and Panda, fabulous felicitations to you both!!! My apologies for being late to congratulate; I was doing my mom and stepfather's taxes for them. (My good deed for, possibly, the month.)<br /><br />Cannot wait to see everyone's work!!! Because of *course* you will (are obligated to!) keep us posted. Right?DLMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08768285199864217885noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-23153610955588324322016-04-08T05:20:45.489-04:002016-04-08T05:20:45.489-04:00Yippie Jenny C !Yippie Jenny C !Carolynnwith2Nshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18394998702410764388noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-64585670852244333992016-04-08T03:34:15.476-04:002016-04-08T03:34:15.476-04:00Gah, way too late for the party, but WOOOOOOOOOOOO...Gah, way too late for the party, but WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOP well done Panda and Jenny C!!!! So happy for you both. What great news! Love seeing success from the Reef. :)Sam Hawkehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05549251130820223139noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-51460641552378556492016-04-08T01:47:38.716-04:002016-04-08T01:47:38.716-04:00To reiterate what Her Grace, Heidi, the Duchess of...To reiterate what Her Grace, Heidi, the Duchess of Kneale said.<br /><br />There is this lady born to a noble family in Florence. She's quite old now. When she was twenty-ish she ran off to some African beach and lived in a tent. There she painted portraits of the locals and had two girls. Then moved back to Florence to an amazing apartment with an ancient wisteria growing up to the roof through the court yard. Seven stories up, to her painting atelier one more to the roof top terrace where she invited me to see her wisteria and her paintings. No elevator.<br /><br />I'd heard about her paintings, I wanted to see them. All kinds of images ran wild in my mind as we slowly climbed the stairs to her 70 year old pace. She told me about her wisteria and her paintings. I was sure there would be hundreds of them. She wouldn't let me turn my head to see the paintings until we were at the far end of her atelier. Then voila, turn now.<br /><br />There on the wall was a collage of Six or seven canvases thick and cracked with twenty years of paint. Stitch-marked from where she'd removed them from the stretcher bars and rearranged. The canvases looked like sway back cows. The colors had no harmony. I was dumbfounded.<br /><br />If she'd spent 20 years producing volumes of work I'm sure she would have had some gems, but those canvases left me speechless. angie Brooksby-Arcangiolihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08000615140577512304noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-68998865353004940522016-04-07T23:38:08.820-04:002016-04-07T23:38:08.820-04:00Jason Magnason said...
I want to be a one hit...Jason Magnason said...<br /><br /> I want to be a one hit wonder over and over again.<br /><br />That's subheader material!<br /><br />Jenny, CONGRATULATIONS! <3<br /><br />Lennon, just write, as others noted. If you don't want to write flash fiction oir whatever, just go back to teh mundane. Grab a notebook and describe the next person you see, or the last cashier you paid, or a coffee mug, or the taste of your favorite drink, or... anything.<br /><br />I plan to live to at least 120. I doubt that's even close to enough time to write everything that's in my head.roadkills-r-ushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14029861300358380117noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-75366376779800003572016-04-07T22:55:17.661-04:002016-04-07T22:55:17.661-04:00What Her Grace said. I hate being on opposite time...What Her Grace said. I hate being on opposite time zones to you guys. I'm always at the very start or end of the conversations here =(<br /><br />Jenny - that's brilliant! Congratulations!<br /><br />Panda Anne - that is an awesome call-story. As our Queen says, if you are going to break a rule do it well...<br /><br />And yes, I won an ARC of Donna's book so I'm going to get to read it before all of you *grin* (thanks, Donna!!).AJ Blythehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04529233142099749005noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-84066283306914186472016-04-07T22:48:15.494-04:002016-04-07T22:48:15.494-04:00Julie: The only babies I'm having at the momen...Julie: The only babies I'm having at the moment are these 100 word A-to-Z flash stories. Mind you, I am quite proud of them. :) No other news from me, other than, yes, I know where my pants are. Happy is the man who knows where his pants are.Colin Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03292997431935215499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-4020175850576549302016-04-07T22:36:41.347-04:002016-04-07T22:36:41.347-04:00Funny thing, I follow Gordon Warnock on Twitter, n...Funny thing, I follow Gordon Warnock on Twitter, not because he reps what I write (he doesn't), but because he has a Doberman. I'm not sure I can think of another agent who does! <br /><br /> (Feel free to prove me wrong, maybe that one will rep what I write!)Jennifer R. Donohuehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00363886899308588391noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-3113036885745152322016-04-07T22:16:21.128-04:002016-04-07T22:16:21.128-04:00Panda, wonderful story.
And Dena, yes, enjoy you...Panda, wonderful story. <br /><br />And Dena, yes, enjoy your time with your son. <br /><br />So much lovely activity happening in April here at The Reef.Lisa Bodenheimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17809067722921953857noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-47736583308246019982016-04-07T21:38:45.290-04:002016-04-07T21:38:45.290-04:00Dena, what wonderful news. That is the best news o...Dena, what wonderful news. That is the best news of all.Julie Weathershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13725236516593676381noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-64042209485164861092016-04-07T21:37:51.239-04:002016-04-07T21:37:51.239-04:00I'm not sure if anyone is interested, but Dian...I'm not sure if anyone is interested, but Diana Gabaldon did a live chat tonight. It has quite a bit of conversation about writing.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.facebook.com/USATODAYlife/app/1573581222967117/" rel="nofollow">Gabaldon chat</a>Julie Weathershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13725236516593676381noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-91757204062815318952016-04-07T21:37:05.088-04:002016-04-07T21:37:05.088-04:00Yes! I was going to say something to that, and got...Yes! I was going to say something to that, and got sidetracked - so wonderful your boy is coming home, Dena! BJ Muntainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12977414826388000094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-48290483973864327072016-04-07T20:27:57.920-04:002016-04-07T20:27:57.920-04:00Congratulations, Jenny C! That's such fantasti...Congratulations, Jenny C! That's such fantastic news!!!<br /><br />Colin, we're all blaming you for the A-Z. <br /><br />And Dena, that's brilliant your son's coming home. Enjoy!!!Kae Ridwynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10356868531870405990noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-31300819482439191032016-04-07T20:07:42.025-04:002016-04-07T20:07:42.025-04:00BJ & Colin - really good thoughts. Colin, I m...BJ & Colin - really good thoughts. Colin, I may try something smaller. It does seem less daunting. <br /><br />Angie - thanks for the perspective. I also painted a picture recently, the first in a while :) <br /><br />Heidi - I loved your pot analogy! <br /><br />Panda - your agent story ("...wanna be my agent?") made me laugh!<br /><br />This blog is a phenomenal place for encouragement... also for getting one excited about writing again. Thanks everyone for being so awesome. Lennon Farishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03570629350169504234noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-32363517793187591622016-04-07T19:33:24.427-04:002016-04-07T19:33:24.427-04:00Panda that is wonderful!! Congratulations.
What a...Panda that is wonderful!! Congratulations.<br /><br />What a contagion of good news today. Now, it's time for someone to announce they're having a baby. Colin, any announcements you want to make? I notice you've been drinking beer sans pants.Julie Weathershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13725236516593676381noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-79883062087965455412016-04-07T19:20:24.053-04:002016-04-07T19:20:24.053-04:00Panda - two things!
First off, this proves the qu...Panda - two things!<br /><br />First off, this proves the quirks of querying. We just the "odd" query example from QOTKU yesterday - which we all know was bogus - but STILL, heeelarious and we will now likely wear out that whole pants thing like we did LIma Beans and Kale and Carkoon and what else...? Anyway your query - "wanna be my agent?" beats Jeff Somers pantsless one any day!<br /><br />Second! I have a writer friend here in NC repped by Mr. Warnock.<br /><br />:)Donnaevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09026536210749494257noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-46855992154358821122016-04-07T19:18:36.900-04:002016-04-07T19:18:36.900-04:00LOVE that movie, and the song! Hadn't thought ...LOVE that movie, and the song! Hadn't thought of it in years but now it's stuck in my head. :)<br /><br />Jenny C, congratulations on the fantastic news! So happy for you.<br /><br />Panda, I think your how-I-got-my-agent story tops any other I've heard so far. Be Bold, Be Brave. Thank you for sharing it!<br /><br />Your Grace, I love the pot throwing analogy (since I used to do that and got pretty darn good at it). It's a muscle memory/touch kind of thing. I suspect the writing brain is very similar.<br /><br />Colin, I remember you asking this question. Turns out I'm grateful you did, not because I only have one book in me, but because of the second part of the answer Janet gave. For a very long time, years and years, I've been totally freaked out by the prospect of selling one book in a two-book deal and getting paid for a second one I hadn't written (yes, of course I stress over things that might never happen). And I mean freaked out to the point that I'm convinced I wouldn't be able to write the second one. Ever. I decided I'd just have to write both books first, before I even submitted anything, just to be on the safe side. And that was a daunting prospect of its own. But now I have a new term in my repertoire: writing off contract. I didn't know that was an option. God, what a huge effing relief.<br /><br />April is turning out to be a surprising month, on many levels.<br /><br />Oh, and Colin, add me to the list of people blaming you, you troublemaker.<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-18921705525646624852016-04-07T18:50:39.370-04:002016-04-07T18:50:39.370-04:00I recently read a study that separated a bunch of ...I recently read a study that separated a bunch of artists into two groups. One group's goal was to turn out one perfect ceramic pot. The other group's goal was to turn out as many pots as they can, regardless of quality.<br /><br />In the end, the absolute best ceramic pot was not created by the Perfect Pot group, but by the Many Pot group. It was because they refined their technique as they went along. They learned how to make fewer mistakes and eventually, were able to throw a really good pot first try.<br /><br />After pot #245, if they went back to pot #1 and re-threw it on the wheel, it would come out much better than the original. Nothing wrong with re-throwing the first pot, once you know how to make it a better pot.<br />Her Grace, Heidi, the Duchess of Knealehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17818060864422019573noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-33201974192635010192016-04-07T18:50:03.726-04:002016-04-07T18:50:03.726-04:00What Amy said: I miss most of the fun, being diame...What Amy said: I miss most of the fun, being diametrically opposite from La Sharque and her 7pm posting times.<br /><br />Congrats Jenny C. Glad you have found an agent.<br /><br />Thinking upon the concept of One-Hit Wonder, at first I had a hard time wrapping my brain around it. How can an author write only one book and not want to go on? Me, I will only stop writing when they pry the keyboard from my cold, stiff fingers.<br /><br />Then I remembered all the other stuff I've done in my life. I'm not just a Writer. I'm a Creator. I've had lots and lots of interests other than writing, and have excelled at many.<br /><br />I think about all the non-writing things I've done. I did them, was satisfied, and was able to move on. I'm not <b>driven</b> to keep doing those things. If I never perform the violin in public ever again, it will not kill my soul. If I never make another film, genetically engineer bacteria, or teach blind children, I'll be fine. I enjoyed those things and threw myself into it wholeheartedly.<br /><br />Somewhere, someone feels the same about that One Novel In Them. They'll indulge completely in writing a book. When they're done, they'll have that lovely sense of satsifaction one gets after a good meal. They won't be a ghrelin/leptin-drenched binger who creeps into the kitchen for a second midnight stack like a few other writers of my intimate acquaintance.<br /><br />Her Grace, Heidi, the Duchess of Knealehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17818060864422019573noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-9933681682852009062016-04-07T18:26:49.126-04:002016-04-07T18:26:49.126-04:00Pandaaaaaaaaaaa, fantabulous, awesomeness !
CONGRA...Pandaaaaaaaaaaa, fantabulous, awesomeness !<br />CONGRATS.Carolynnwith2Nshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18394998702410764388noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-62605278036269419482016-04-07T17:50:21.737-04:002016-04-07T17:50:21.737-04:00Yay, Panda! I was thinking of looking into that me...Yay, Panda! I was thinking of looking into that mentor program...now I just actually might...Karen McCoyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02640324898284007337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-75446705701423903722016-04-07T17:42:33.276-04:002016-04-07T17:42:33.276-04:00...and another congratulations to Jenny C. Man, is......and another congratulations to Jenny C. Man, is it hard to be in the wrong time zone for this blog. Last for everything!<br /><br />Panda in C., I love your story. I think it highlights the fact that, while you don't need to follow the standard query->pages->waiting->discussion->agent route, you do need to follow a <i>sensible</i> route to find an agent. Working with a mentor and then proposing: sensible. Throwing glitter-filled MS pages as paper airplanes at an agent on the subway: not sensible.<br /><br />I'm off to the boat. We had a couple of teeny, tiny leaks on Wednesday, so we're back out of the water to replace or cap those 50-year-old throughhulls. If you think writing needs patience, try prepping a boat sometime.Amy Schaeferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17263719891092841767noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-15935841153745008672016-04-07T17:15:30.962-04:002016-04-07T17:15:30.962-04:00OP,
What a great question. I've been lurking a...OP,<br />What a great question. I've been lurking as much as possible, skimming through the fun in the comments but this question resonates with me. Lennon, this is for you too.<br /><br />I quit writing, mostly because I don't have the physical time. But there are other reasons. I grew belligerent to writing, not putting words on paper but all that shit that grows around it. Like mushrooms under a beech tree. All the rules, the platform, the dots on the calendar, the query etiquette, (exception: Jeff Somers, but ya gotta write like him to be one.)<br /><br />I decided I had to write something phenomenal and maybe once in a life time thing to compete with all these great novelists. Then I thought about the generation of fledgling (I hate that word) writers. They're going to appeal to the masses of up and coming readers.<br /><br />Result? Full stop.<br /><br />In my bones, I know I'll write more. What pains me is missing the daily exercise, bettering my craft, sharing with others. Meanwhile I pumped out 118 paintings since Jan 1st and I've dusted the house a few more times.<br /><br />There are lots of artists throughout history who have produced one phenomenal work. Musicians, composers, writers and hairdressers. What's the name of Crumps coiffeur?<br /><br />Congrats Jenny C and Panda what a fantastic story. Donna too.<br /><br />Colin, name for healthy beer. Might ask the Belgians, they've got the best breweries or ya might just take a draft.angie Brooksby-Arcangiolihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08000615140577512304noreply@blogger.com