Tornado Warnings

The rain has been slamming down for the past 4 hours and it was pitch dark outside at about 3pm.  We're under a tornado warning, which means they spotted one, but that was around 3:45 this afternoon.  I've had my face stuck in my laptop all day, working on an article on the Tibetan Terrier (don't you wish you had my life) for Dog & Kennel magazine.  When I finally flipped on the TV late this afternoon there were warnings firing off at the bottom of the screen that everyone in my county should move to a safe location.

Like most people though, I assumed they weren't talking to me and plopped myself down on the couch to watch the coverage.  "If I a tornado comes, I'll hear it first and run into the hall," I thought.  The thought hadn't even left my head when the news anchor said, "If you hear or see a tornado, it may be too late to take shelter."  They know we're a bunch of loose cannons out here.

Besides, where would I take shelter?  No basement so I guess the guest bathroom, the only room without windows.  But I'm not going in there without my cats!  And what do you think my chances of herding them in there are???

My friends Bob & Rachel are setting out for a cross-country drive to Seattle, their new home, in this monsoon.  What a way to start a trip.  Safe journey guys!

Networked my way to a new writing assignment

Just found out that I've been given a writing assignment by Novel & Short Stories Writer's Market by Writer's Digest Books.  This is a yearly book that contains all the listings and advice for any writers interested in novel or short story writing.  It's a huge book, around 1,000 pages, and contains articles about the writing process.  I'll be writing an article on networking for the 2007 edition.

How I landed this article is a great example of networking.  To wit:

1. Katharine Sands, a NY literary agent spoke to our area writer's group last year at our annual meeting.  I wrote a thank-you note to her for her talk and inquired about using her as a source for an article I wanted to write on Establishing Author Platforms - a speciality area of Katharine's.
2. Katharine called me when she got my note and was very agreeable to being a source for me.  She also offered to put in touch for the article with other top literary agents.
3. I sent out queries to writer's magazines. All were rejected except for the Novel & Short Story book.  The editor there asked that I follow up in 6 months time for review.
4. I followed up last week. The editor said the topic wouldn't work, but the editor of Writer's Digest magazine recommended me and she'd like to try and use me for a story. (Was I floating on air after that one? You betcha. I've sent 5 queries in the past year to WD, all rejected.  But apparently it pays to keep trying and keep your name out there)
5. I offered a query on networking, which the editor accepted.
6. Now I'll go back to Katharine to use her as a source and also follow-up with the other agents for sources for the article.

All of this from one little thank you note. Never underestimate it's power--I teach that in my networking workshops.

The really cool thing is that if I get my act together enough to send out my public speaking book proposal soon, having the exposure of appearing in Novel & Short Stories Writer's Market is a big marketing plus. Would be great if I had a public speaking book ready to advertise in my by-line.

The yin-yang time frame of the literary world is amazing.  For the most part, it's on big waiting room where you wait 6 months to hear if your query idea is accepted or 2 years to publish your book.  But I feel like I've crossed a warp-zone timeline and now I must fly to get things ready.  The book proposal must go out NOW to take advantage of the byline, which means the book writing must occur RIGHT NOW.

I actually  love it.  I get really bored doing the same thing every day and the writer's life offers a great chance to do something unique each day.

Mistakes Galore

I sat down last night to start proofreading and am freaking out at the number of mistakes I'm finding. One chapter had the last page missing from it!  I'm having heart palpitations that I'll miss something major like that and we'll go to print...

Whatever program Robert used to transfer the file into his software from Word, it didn't transfer exact.  For example, all the circled trademark or registered trademark signs came over as apostrophes.  Then there are lines of dialogue that are split in two and assigned two different lines, extra quotation marks everywhere (I don't know what's causing that), and it looks like a lot of the sentences don't have a space after the period.  It's a little scary.  I'll read through and proof it several times and have Blair read it at least once. Then it goes back to Robert for edits, he sends the final copy to us for one last proof, then we're off to the printer.

I'm still mainly excited though. I contacted the printer yesterday to let them know the book is almost done and to get a revised quote. I can't wait until I can actually hold the book in my hands.  I may go so far as to sleep with it under my pillow that first night.  Don't put it past me.

Proofreading My Book

My layout designer Robert Howard e-mailed me the pdf file of my "to-be-proofread" book today.  BIG excitment seeing it so close to print.  I printed out all 128 pages of it and it's now sitting on the corner of my desk, waiting to be proofed.  I've already found a big one.  The title page proclaims in big, bold letters: LESSONS IN STOCKING.  Hmmm....how much would that hurt to go to press, overlooking that little typo?

Needless to say, my next week will be spent in non-stop perusal of the book.  As will Blair's (whether he's aware of it or not--but he probably is).  He's as excited about the book as I am, which is gratifying to see.  He's never blinked an eye at the time or money output involved in this project. 

It's 10pm, my bedtime, and I know I'm too tired to start looking at the book, but the eager author in me is screaming with delirious joy, "Now! Now!  Stay up until 4am if you have to but proofread it NOW."

That screaming voice gets me in a lot of trouble.

I'm peeking at the pages as I type this.  Uh-oh, the preface looks to be in miniscule type.  I hope that can be fixed without altering the page count.  We're exactly where we need to be without wasting paper.

Okay, I'm at least going to go wash my face and perhaps give it a try at going to sleep.  I'll be up early for yoga (6am class on MWF - love it!!) and the book (yea, the book!  My book!) will still be here tomorrow.