First the Good News

Have I mentioned how cool you guys are?

I'm not just saying that because of how positive you've all been about this book stuff. Or even because of last month when a handful of you rallied 6,000 people of all faiths all over the world to pray for a sick little girl most of you'd never even seen. In less than two days.

(She's home now, and recovering nicely, btw. Thanks to you all; thanks be to God.)

Nope, it's not even because of how impressive it was to live here during H. Ivan and watch everybody before the storm boarding up little old ladies's houses, giving advice to us newbies, helping people prepare. Then after, seeing everybody get to work cleaning up and helping people rebuild. Those of you with generators making sure folks had hot meals and a place to shower.

Or a year later after Katrina. I remember sitting on front porches with some of you as you wept telling me about your friends and relatives in Mississippi and Louisiana. Then we all went out and collected food, clothes, water, and the ones with trucks and trailers made daily runs to Gauthier, D'Iberville, Long Beach, Ocean Springs...

No, I really like your big mouths and opinions. Your funny snaps and how for the most part, you're all straight-shooters. You're just a big gang of good people.

So shoot this one to me straight. Why is the bad news so much easier to believe than the good?

Yep, I got it. The big R from one of the three asking to see more of Debut Novel.

I've been telling myself not to feel bad about it. It was the agency I was most shocked had wanted to see it at all. I honestly couldn't tell Richard why I had queried them in the first place, and it was from the early days when I had no idea what I was doing.

So it's probably for the best, right? My pants were shocked off when they asked for more, then yesterday they stayed firmly in place (not on the ground) when I read the short, "Sorry, this isn't for me."

It wasn't even my first big R. Remember O.J. Berman? But it did sting. It's the whole getting the hopes up followed by the swift kick in the guts. Bluh.

But that brings me back to my Woody Allen dilemma. It was actually easier to believe they didn't want it than they did. Easier to believe that little voice in my head that says they're probably right. A book out there with my name on it? That's ridiculous! I'm no elitist member of the literati. Have you heard me laugh?

Of course, Richard is annoyed when I say that. He might think my blog title's dorky, but he actually likes the books. At least he says he does... And having read everything on the planet, he's now taken to ridiculing all books represented by said agency. None of which I've read. (See?)

Still, I'm feeling lower than... hmm... I read a really good "lower than" the other day... What was it? I'm feeling lower than a snake's belly in a wagon rut. And I don't even like cowboy movies.

Sorry, they're not for me.

UPDATE: Just got another request for full MS of Debut Novel from agent who previously rejected then came back and asked for it. File this one under "extremely pleasant and very unexpected surprises." Keep those fingers crossed...

It Takes a Lot to Laugh

So I interviewed author Chris Warner yesterday, and after the interview, we started swapping funny stories we've been told while covering the Gulf Coast.

Chris and I crossed paths because he's currently writing a biography of Joe Gilchrist, owner of the Flora-Bama lounge. A friend of mine told him about my books and how they're all set in this area, and then she told me about Chris. So I decided to do a "Get to Know" feature on him.

Anyway, he told me a story Joe had related to him about how once the tide around Orange Beach was glowing because of all the phosphorus in the sea life or something. (Of course, I thought of Steve Zissou.)

The story went that Joe saw it and closed the Flora-Bama. He then gave his patrons two options: go home or go skinnydipping.

LTM: (LOL!) I love where we live!

So I was thinking of rewatching Zissou, but instead I hit "play" on Darjeeling Ltd. It's been hanging out on the DVR for almost a year now, and I've watched it a few times. I haven't deleted it yet because, you know. Some days are just those kinda days.

I like the movie primarily because I also like Bottle Rocket, and it's fun seeing Wilson revisiting the Dignan character. That, and I totally get the sibling relationships portrayed. Francis is so my self-appointed third guardian/older brother in that film.

"On the spiritual journey, it's crucial that we don't splinter into factions or not include somebody who has advice and may know better."

Anyway, I hadn't watched Darjeeling since writing Debut Novel, and I had to giggle at the brothers' reaction to Jack's book. Primarily because he insists it's a work of fiction whereas the movie demonstrates it's definitely not.

It was funny because my small group of test readers have already begun deciding which characters are which friends, and I'm just floored. Guys! They really ARE fictional!

But despite being works of fiction, the setting of my books is very real. I had lots of fun surrounding my fictional characters with local landmarks, events, folklore, history, etc. Even some of the names are derivations of actual family names in this area. (I'm planning to make sure that's OK before it's published, hold the emails.)

So I'm happy people are really getting into the books. What makes me even happier are the playful demands for more pages--stat! (whee!) Hopefully things will level out before long, and I can just have one writing job.

I buried the lede. As of now, I've gotten three requests so far--one for a partial and two for the full manuscript--from three different, reputable agencies. Yay!

I'm encouraged, and please do keep your fingers crossed. This is only Round 1 after all. But I'll keep you posted.

And keep those positive comments coming. I really appreciate it.

As for Darjeeling... What's up with all the spectacle-raising? Is that symbolic?

It made me think of Stephen King's advice to read back through your books, and if you notice any symbols, go ahead and play those up. (BAH!!! Thanks, "Uncle Stevie," for validating my writing style.)

And wouldn't it sound great if you could hear a train going by off in the distance right now?