Still waiting...

I've gotten a few things done this week - I sent my bio into the agent that requested it (and of course, the manuscript!) I've got my fingers and toes crossed.

In the spirit of not "putting all my eggs in one basket" I've queried a couple of other agents as well. With the nibble from the one agent, I feel like I'm refining my query letter.

I also got a rejection from an editor...oh well...it's not the first, and it won't be the last.

I'm also working on revising my book about the molasses flood.

Author Bio, part II

I'm learning a lot about writing an author bio. Some things I've learned so far:

1. it should be in the third person (i.e., The author graduated with honors from Central State with a degree in basket weaving...)

2. If you have unique or interesting facts about you, include them.

3. it should include snippets of personal and professional information that will compell the reader to want to read your work.

4. it should provide enough interesting information to convey to anyone reading it that you would make a fascinating interview subject (make marketing you easier.)

5. Oddly enough, it seems as though there are several types of bios out there - ranging from

Anne Mini's website provides some useful information (http://www.annemini.com/). I also found some great threads on the message board at Verla Kay's website (www.verlakay.com).

Author Bio

One of the agents I've queried has asked me to send my manuscript, and an author bio.

I've been frantically researching the methods and means of such a thing over the past 24 hours. Since my writing credits are few, I want to impress her with my exciting life. Only, as one can imagine, life is not so exciting in the suburbs with a 4-year old (read my post about birthday parties about in mid-October if you doubt it!)

Professional, yet brief. Compelling, but truthful. Personal, but not too personal.

Something that will help them sell the story. This is harder than writing the story!

The Waiting Game, part II

At least while you're waiting, you can pretend that editors and agents are loving your work and only keeping you waiting while they craft their glowing acceptance.

I've received several rejections this week -- editors and agents. Three of them were personal - which, from what I've read, is fairly rare. I should be thankful that my work was good enough to warrant a personal rejection.

Backing up your work

I've experienced a miracle tonight - you're not going to believe this one.

I keep all my files on a flash drive (aka finger drive - it's one of those little mini things that plug into a USB port.) This works for me for a variety of reasons, but basically all my files are with me all the time. Last fall, I made a fatal mistake in not backing up the drive, and so when it crashed (or whatever it is they do when they don't work anymore), I lost a ton of stuff. It was absolutely heartbreaking. I was able to recreate some of it from email files, but I lost a lot of data (including some manuscripts) that had never been emailed to anyone.

Now I back up my files monthly (or thereabouts). I learned my lesson, but as of this evening, I hadn't made my back-up for November.

I was just changing a load of laundry, pulling clothes out of the washing machine, and what do I see at the bottom of the drum? My flash drive. It was in the pocket of the skirt I wore today. I was feeling all riteous for doing laundry in the first place. A number of choice words flowed through my head (and a few came out of my mouth). The drive is now nice and clean -- mind you, full load of laundry including water and detergent.

I must have suffered enough today with the car trouble I had (my rental was the size of a roller skate -- I've never been so glad to have my Honda back again, but that's a different story.) I just plugged the drive in, and would you believe it worked! It doesn't look like any data was courrupted (I'm knocking on wood right now).

Needless to say, I just made my November back-up.

The Waiting Game

As my daughter likes to say "I caaaaannnn'ttt waaaiiittt!"

The waiting is the hardest part. Especially if you're anticipating something good or exciting. For a four-year-old, that something might be leaving the house to trick-or-treat. "Why can't we leave now?" she might ask.

I'm waiting on hearing back from an agent that I'm hoping will be interested in representing me. I've followed all the "rules" and submission requirements. Basically, though, it comes down to whether or not he/she likes my writing. I've also entered two writing contests this fall, and I'm waiting to find out if I've placed. And, of course, I've submitted my work to a couple of magazines and publishers, and I'm waiting to get my rejections....I mean, their replies.