Monday, August 09, 2010

Celebrate Good Times - Come On

Can I make the title song stick in your head? If I add singing dogs?

Many celebrations this week in the Pacific Northwest. It's SeaFair in Seattle. We've had several days of Blue Angels fly-bys. While SeaFair happens every year, this doesn't: I turned 4-0! My mother thinks it's crazy, and so do I, but regular readers know that I am too old to have read the Babysitter book series and old enough to be a mega-Springsteen fan, so 40 is about right. As per the marital settlement, Mr. Richland made a lovely cake. His other masterpieces are here and here.

I spent much of my birthday with a Guide to Literary Agents list, crossing off the already querieds, questionable reputations and/or dead ends. A bit of desperation mixed with my productivity. The night before, Mr. Richland and I saw "Salt" and I had an extended self-doubt moment. The Soldier will never be that taut and thrilling, I can't write action, I can't write romance, why would anyone want my stuff when things like this are out there, boo hoo. Usually good plots inspire me to say "I want to do that too," but something about the combination of a birthday, edits, and queries led to a "what am I thinking" moment. I emoted to Mr. Richland while drinking champagne cocktails (can't feel too sorry for myself, reading that). He listened, and left me to work undisturbed the next day, and voila, mojo back.

It's Monday and I'm thinking Rosie the Riveter. We Can Do It! By Friday night, I'm going to send 5 more queries, finish synopsis revisions, and enter the Golden Pen contest. That's a birthday present I can give myself. Post your week goal, writing or otherwise, in the comments. I'll report Friday on mine.

9 comments:

Carolynn said...

Anna, we could be sisters . . . well, except for the 4-0 thing =) I usually am inspired by good plots, but lately I've had those nagging doubts about my writing. A good talk with the hubby, as well as some kind words from a writer friend, and voila! I'm back. The hubby wisely informed me that even many actors won't watch their films because they think they are horrible in it, so I shouldn't compare my writing to others, as it is likely many published authors think their writing isn't as good as another's. Glad your confidence came back easily. It's taken me since December!

Anna Richland said...

Kate - I don't know how to make that link to SmartBitchesTrashyBooks work. Can it, or is that a blogger limitation?

Anna Richland said...

Okay, third time I've tried to get this comment from myself to post on the blog. I must be too excited to get it right! I am one of the winners over at SmartBitchesTrashyBooks of the new Jennifer Crusie ARC (advanced reading copy). I won it on my birthday! Cool present! You can check out the childhood ghost experience I told for the prize. I also recommend reading the comments to the gastrointestinal romance thread - there might be one from me, and someone out there might recognize the story. Just saying.

Krista said...

Congratulations on your award!

My goal for the week is to get the grout sealed on the bathroom floor some night after the kids are in bed--does that count?

My 40th was on Saturday and I'm in denial. I've managed to defer the inevitable "celebration" another week until we are on vacation. Nora doesn't want to grow up either, and is in denial over her 4th birthday next week.

Amanda Forester said...

Congratulations on 40 years! We just celebrated my husband's 40th last week. We celebrated mine a while ago, but I'm trying to hush it up.

Vivi Andrews said...

Happy Birthday and good luck with your query goals & agent hunt, Anna! And no getting down on The Soldier. It doesn't have to be Salt to rock hard.

My goal this week - finish current WIP. Fingers crossed I make it.

Kate Diamond said...

Happy belated birthday, Anna!

My goal for the week: read through my first draft and assorted bits of writing for the current novel (something I've been putting off for a LONG time). Decide what I can salvage and organize it all... somehow... into something I can actually work with.

Anna Richland said...

What were those goals again? Update: At 8:30 Saturday morning I sent my Golden Pen entry (with finished synopsis). No queries this week. Two of my three goals, ten or so hours late. I'm okay with that. Time for a second round of coffee. Think I'll bake scones for Big Boy who is patiently waiting for me to finish this!

Kate Diamond said...

I love scones! Good job on your goals--I still have two more subfolders to fish through (and one of them contains all the big documents). I am, however, getting back up to speed... not quite at the pace I'd like to be, but at least I'm working on it!

Maybe I'll make banana bread...