I cannot allow myself to be motivated by fear. If I do that, I’ll spend the rest of my life not trying to do something I really think I should be able to do – even if I suck.
So I’m going for it. I read your comments yesterday and they made me do the ugly cry (luckily, I have no photographic evidence to support this) but they were right. YOU were right. And I thank you for it.
I don’t like to half-ass things. I go balls to the wall, y’all or I go home.
Deep breath. Don’t panic.
It’s time to put those essays into a single document and work my ass off on them.
And I will.
Because you believe in me, I can believe in myself.
Anyone have any suggestions for me? How the shit do I find myself an agent (AGAIN)?
39 Responses to In Which I Admit You Are Right, Pranksters
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I LOVE being right. I even made up an “I WAS RIGHT” drawing on my blog for these moments. Time to do my dance!
I love that picture!
Twitter: mommywantsvodka
says:
Is it a snoopy dance? Because I love those.
Don’t worry about the agent yet. Get the material together, as polished as you can, and then you can think about what to do with it.
I know for years people have looked down on self-publishing, because you couldn’t really reach people and sell books that way. But you can now with e-pubbing. It’s a real market. People are actually making money, and distribution is a breeze with Amazon, B&N and others. Plus, your readers are already online, that makes e-pubbing even better for you.
But, as I said, don’t think about it now. Write. Write it like you would a post on your blog (so the writing doesn’t freak you out.)
Twitter: mommywantsvodka
says:
I’m going to. That’s exactly what I am going to do.
I love those key necklaces. They have an amazing story attached, and seem like the perfect thing for you to have.
Twitter: mommywantsvodka
says:
Our girl Dawnie gave it to me. I so needed it.
Twitter: WalkerCynthia
says:
no suggestions. just faith that this book will be am awesome read!
Twitter: mommywantsvodka
says:
Thank you love!
I’m afraid I have no really helpful suggestions, other than coffee and lots of good music – just know that I’ll pick up a copy as soon as you’re done
Twitter: mommywantsvodka
says:
Wooo-hooo! You can bring it by and I’ll totally autograph it. Or we’ll just hang out, whatever really.
Wow awesome! I know the feeling of not trying something cause you’re scared of failing. My best girlfriend got me this super awesome epoxy pin that says “keep calm, carry on” on it. Every time I get that feeling, I look at the pin and it reminds me that I’ve done a shit ton of hard shit and I haven’t failed at it. So it calms me down. Good luck with all the hard work (even though you don’t need luck, you smart little whipper snapper).
Twitter: mommywantsvodka
says:
I think I need that pin!
Dude. I’m so fucking excited to read it. YOU’VE GOT THIS!
Twitter: mommywantsvodka
says:
*fistbump*
I would only suggest putting aside a specific time every day to write. No internets, no tv, no Netflix, and preferably no kids. (but we all know kids will be in your face no matter what) Use that time to work only on your book. Even if that working is just sitting at a table jotting down notes in a notebook. You can do it!!!!
Twitter: mommywantsvodka
says:
I can do that. No probs.
You can totally do it.
And I would ask Julie of juliecgardner.com who had an agent and shopped one book then had to move on to another one but knows a ton about getting an agent, etc, now. (she blogged about it in some recent posts but I’m sure you could email her more specific questions — she’s nice)
Twitter: mommywantsvodka
says:
I’ll try and email her. I hate to email people that I don’t know – it’s all like, “OH CAN YOU HELP ME?” and then they don’t know me so I seem like a needy bitch (which I am).
Yay!! And I expect to have my copy autographed!!
Twitter: mommywantsvodka
says:
Hells to the yes!
Twitter: alfredliveshere
says:
I love being right… people call me the “Oracle Of All Knowledge”… okay the don’t, but they should!
Twitter: mommywantsvodka
says:
I do. I’ll call you that.
You don’t get an agent. You self-publish on Amazon and let us all send you fantastic reviews to bump you up on the list. A friend of mine finally got up the nerve to publish his mystery that way. He charged 99 cents. Then sold 80, 000 copies over the next two years as the word of mouth spread. Do you KNOW how much money that is?!
Twitter: mommywantsvodka
says:
Awww! Thank you! This is one of those things that’s been rolling in my head – your comment, I mean. Self-pub ain’t what it used to be.
Twitter: SolarChief
says:
You can do it. But, I do know the feeling and I’m sure it’s known by many others. I’ve been putting the finishing touches on my follow-up cookbook and it’s taking forever because I have that same un-Muse in the back of my head saying I’m too dumb to be doing this. You just have to turn around, face it, and tell it to stop projecting its problems onto you! Self-publishing has worked for me and I’ve managed to sell over 3800 copies in the last two years. The Internet has made such a difference. But, frankly, I can’t imagine you having any difficulty getting an agent — not after all that you’ve done here! Go for it.
Twitter: mommywantsvodka
says:
Aw, thanks, girl. I’m really not sure about publishing myself or getting an agent – it’s all so hard!
I put on my 1974 cheerleader uniform and I’m doing a cheer, that’s how much I believe in you. Go Aunt Becky, Go. That cheer would be better but the uniform’s kind of tight.
Twitter: mommywantsvodka
says:
Bwahahahaha. I’d kill for a picture.
My sister is an editor for Brown Books in Dallas and they’re a small company that only publishes first time authors if you want to look them up. Her name is Auburn, tell her seester sent you.
Twitter: mommywantsvodka
says:
I’ll totally hunt her down. I mean, er….say Hello!
Whoot!! You can do this
)
But don’t do that ugly cry! (I remember discussing with you once how it makes our eyes look like shit for days and brings on hella headache.)
Twitter: mommywantsvodka
says:
It SO gives us headaches – I need more headaches like I need a hole in my…head?
Aunt Becky, you’re one of my heroines!
I read a lot of ebooks on my Kindle (my eyes are getting old, and you can make the type any size you want). I would definitely buy your book! Even if I have to buy it on paper and squint to read it. You (and the Band) have saved my depressed ass more than once.
Sending love, courage, and strength your way. You can do it!
Twitter: mommywantsvodka
says:
Thank you, my love. I got the stuff together and sent it off to my friends who are now instructed to tell me what they think – no punches barred.
Twitter: acctodenise
says:
You are going to do a fantastic job!
Twitter: mommywantsvodka
says:
Thank you!
Words of encouragment: It took Joseph Heller 8 years to write Catch 22. Robert Pirsig’s “Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance” was rejected 123 times and is now considered a classic of American literature. Hemmingway was famous for rewriting scenes 30-40 times before he was satisifed–and he is considered a literary genius. These are examples of people who are considered brilliant; but clearly, being brilliant is not enough. These are examples of people who were not afraid of failure or rejection, and they never gave up. Best of luck.
Twitter: mommywantsvodka
says:
Thank you, darling. I needed to hear that, for realz.