Thoughts on thoughts

Okay, now I am officially writing or editing 3 different stories. Plus my blog. What in the world?

But you know, that just about sums up the state of my mind lately -- a million direction without a good fix on anything. It's frustrating, but I guess I shouldn't allow it to be. Just like a good beginning without an end yet, it's still......a good beginning. Some thoughts, however unclear, are better than no thoughts at all, right? Because then I really would be vegetative.

But vegetative seems so restful to me. Maybe because I have never seen very many vegetative people, but the ones that I picture have that half-asleep smile on their faces. And you know what? What if they do have all kinds of thoughts, but aren't having to work on solutions because of, you know, their state. Although a life free of problems would really have no plot, would it? Where would the excitement, the climax, the thematic elements be? That is what makes a story a story, right. Even a story with no end yet. The end is implied, but there's no hurry to get to it.

And so I must get back to my 3 stories and work towards at least one implied ending. Good thing I have no implied deadline to go with it.

A small step toward writerdom....

...and a giant leap for Chanda, who is terrified!

So yes, I sent out a million queries, and got a favorable reply today from an agent, who is interested in *drumroll* *tempo builds* a PROPOSAL. *cymbals clash*

Which would be great if I knew what exactly that was, but I do not. More research for me and more marketing in my near future -- YUCK! But overall, I am elated and wanted to share....

Hopefully this will turn out to be a simplified version of my synopsis, which I have worked so hard on. If not, I will do my best to be as proud of my accomplishments and promise as a writer as possible, and put it all in 500 words or less, whatever the case may be....

Finally!!!!

I finally finally FINALLY sent out some query letters....we'll see what happens. I'm kind of freaking out because this is actually a step I haven't taken before. I've done LOTS of writing, sure, so writing the novel was no big deal. Even the critiques were no big deal. But this is a big deal in my book. Or for my book???
I'll keep you posted....

Yes, it's Wednesday, and....

I'm up again for the Mid-Week Motivation on Writer...Interrupted. If you have time, stop by for a visit. Leave a comment, and you'll be entered for a chance to win......my undying affection:)

Sometimes...

...it takes a while to walk a mile. That rhymed, didn't it? That is just about exactly how cheesy I have felt with the whole "novel" thing lately -- I don't even know why. I look at my ms and I think about it, and half of me decides to like it. And I guess I'm feeling silly writing something only half of me likes.

So, I've been reading a lot and letting my brain relax until a whole me can start up with the editing and the second ms I have been working on, which actually 2/3 of me likes. Which is an improvement. It might be awhile before we get to another mile marker, though, and I did promise to keep you posted.

BTW, what I've been reading:

Wuthering Heights -- really great, right, with a couple of very dynamic characters that live in the grey space between "good" and "bad." I still can't decide why Heathcliffe married Isabella in the first place, or vice versa, but it develops the plot nicely.

A Farewell to Arms -- also very good and "classicy," but in the Hemingway sense, which isn't snobbish and heady, but just well-written. I love me some Ernest.

The King of Torts -- I have two categories for Grisham, now: movie worthy and un-movie worthy. I'm sure he doesn't care, but I think this falls in the movie worthy category. And I have to like Grisham, because, well, he's Grisham.

Digital Fortress -- I have to say I think Dan Brown had a one hit wonder in The DaVinci Code, but I thought I would give this one a try. Not impressed so far.

That's it for now. Have you read any of the above? While we're waiting for the rest of me to come around you could toss out your thoughts and this might prove to be an interesting post...

Mid-Week....

Motivation! Meet me at Writer...Interrupted for a word on Passion. And don't forget to leave me a comment while you're there -- it makes the whole thing way better!

Hmmmm...

I've lately been thinking about the differences between "secular" fiction and Christian fiction...at least the glaringly obvious differences. Christian themes, right? Let's see....Christian morals exemplified. Usually some dynamic character who gradually changes his/her perception of truth. All good.

But there is one really huge difference that may or may not be so great. A lot of people call this sanitizing the truth. Stopping short of reality. Not going into it, really, if it is something that could offend. Obviously, this is important in some instances: those same instances that make the lit. "safe" for anyone to read. But I just think there are some instances where we shouldn't be quite so guarded.

My question is: by taking away from the reality, are we taking away from the truth? By not revealing the ugly of the ugly, are we veiling the beauty of the beautiful?

I may not be making sense to anyone but me, but that is okay. If I do make sense, let me know what you think.