March 3, 2009
After the karmic free-fall of yesterday, I did manage to have a more productive day today. Got over 1400 words in the can on the new novel, though I didn’t get everything done that I’d planned to on the writing front. Felt a new mindset start to take hold, one I think will ultimately be a positive one. Continued the process of looking back at the current novel and reassessing certain elements, particularly those pointed out by my first reader (my wife, Wendy). All in all, I just had a better day mental health-wise, with fewer insane surprises to sap my momentum. Even so, I had to battle thoughts of discouragement throughout the day. Just the usual downer feelings that creep in after umpteen rejections, when things feel hopeless and I wonder for the umpteenth time if I will ever sell one of my colossally awesome novels. But believe it or not, I think I’ll be okay; I feel like I bottomed out and am now on the upswing, for which I’m very glad. Ah, the roller coaster ride of the manic-depressive fiction writer.
Hoping for an even better day tomorrow, so cross your fingers. In the meantime, remember to check out the excerpt from my novel, DICK, on the Authonomy website. Here’s the link: http://www.authonomy.com/ReadBook.aspx?bookid=6998#chapter
I’d really appreciate it if you could drop by the site, register for an account (it costs nothing but a little of your time) and check out my book. It would be even better if you could hit the button that enables you to “back the book,” which will add it to your virtual bookshelf and increase the chances that an editor at HarperCollins will take a look at it. Thank you, as always, for your help!
Now for today’s travel photo! This one’s a shot of Wendy and me in 2002 in the Outer Banks of North Carolina, on the ferry to Ocracoke Island. Makes me think of summer, which is helping to keep me warm at heart during this icy cold night in Pennsylvania. I can’t wait for the sweet warmth and greenery of Spring to return to this wintry wasteland. Enjoy the photo and see you tomorrow!
Outer Banks, North Carolina, 2002
