Monday, March 8, 2010

A Long Weekend

Good Monday morning. The sun is shining and it's supposed to be warm. Finally, spring has arrived in the Piedmont. At least I hope so, there shouldn't be any more snow. I hope it is nice where you are.

Well, I'm not going to lie, I haven't written a word since last week. After I had my little fit of depression, I wrote last Friday's blog post and that was pretty much it. I've been thinking. I do that a lot. Some people would call it procrastination. I do that too. I'm also in a physical sort of blue funky haze. I have had to make doctor appointments (I have several physical boo-boo's that seem to have been exacerbated by the cold weather, the stress of my real life as opposed to my writing life, and my own stupidity -- I have to remember I cannot pick up a 40# bag of dog food or shovel snow anymore.) So being in a less than perfect physical state has screwed with my perfect mental state. lol. You know how it is when you don't feel good, you don't want to do anything. so.

Okay, Query Tally Stats -- 16 out -- 3 partials requested, 2 rejected. Also received another form rejection on a query so that makes 7 total rejections. I have 8 still out and one partial still out. Now that I have more than half of them back it's time to send out the next batch. UGH!! I don't even think I have 8 agents left to e-query on my list. I have about 20 for snail mail, but man that gets expensive. But if that's what I have to do...

I also wanted to say Welcome and Thank You to Amy, Donna, Talli and Laurel. Thanks for hanging out. You've made it just in time, not only do you get to hang at the buffet, I'll be putting the pool in soon so you can swim with the rest of us this summer.

I don't think I'll be back until Friday, a lot going on this week. But I'm keeping my eye on you all.

Have a great week everyone!

21 comments:

Talli Roland said...

Oh, thanks for the welcome! :) I think 3 partials out of 16 queries is a brilliant result. And sometimes it's good to take a break and just let your mind 'be' for awhile.

Have a great week!

Anne Gallagher said...

Talli -- Thanks. I need to 'be' Hey, Kevin Costener did it at the end of Bull Durham. why can't I.

Laurel Garver said...

This is sounding so frighteningly familiar. When I was test marketing last summer, I was too anxious to write much, and what I did do was shot through with fear and took no risks. I just can't create anything good when my head is in a bad place. I put most of my creative effort into research, which uses another skill set altogether. It kept my toes in the next book and kept some of the anxiety at bay.

Anne Gallagher said...

Laurel -- Funny you should mention research. I've been doing a lot of reading because not being able to sit at the computer for long periods of time, I've got to do something. I'm thinking of it as quality time, ruminating on the next book, as I have several projects to choose from. Thanks for the reassurance that I'm not wasting my time.

Unknown said...

Thinking/procrastinating describes my activities of late. Getting back in the saddle today, though. Hope you feel better soon. Enjoy the warm weather!!

Anne Gallagher said...

Nicole -- Thanks. Thinking/procrstinating does have its merits I'm finding. I'm just not sure what to do with all the thoughts. Yes, finally warm weather.

JournoMich said...

I have yet to get the benefits of procrastination, but I am glad it's working for you! :)

I found my way here through Simon's blog and I'm wondering, which Piedmont do you mean? The Greensboro, NC area is called "The Piedmont," is that where you hail from? I am in Raligh, which is why I ask.

Michele
SouthernCityMysteries

Shelley Sly said...

Hey Anne, I hope you feel better and have a great week! I'm groaning with you as it's possibly coming down to snail mail queries. I don't like spending the money either. Hope to hear some good news in the future. :)

Kelsey (Dominique) Ridge said...

I hope you have a really great week. You deserve one.

Sarah Ahiers said...

ooohhh man, i want to go swimming so bad.

Hannah said...

I'm with Falen. Get the pool...quick! I need to go swimming right now!!

lotusgirl said...

It is gorgeous outside, isn't it? We're germ infested over here at our house. So today everyone is home except the hubby. We squeaked our lunch under the wire. Whew. It was nice hanging with you and laughing up a storm.

Anonymous said...

Pool party? Awesome - and thanks for the welcome.

On the subject of paper queries, I am really surprised that so few agents in the UK accept email submissions. We are destroying rain forests here people!

Anne Gallagher said...

Michele -- Thanks for coming into my little world. It's nice to have you here. I'm in Winston which I suppose it's technically not the Piedmont but Piedmont Writer sounded so much better than Winston Writer. Procrastination has its merits, you should try it.

Shelley -- isn't it the worst knowing you have to spend money after slaving away all that time just to write/revise/edit it. By the time we get an advance, if we add up all the time it takes to get one, we'll probably only end up making $1.34 per hour on the book. I got better tips as a waitress.

Dominique -- Thank you, so do you. Is it sunny where you are?

Sarah A & Hannah -- Believe me, I wish it were pool weather right NOW! But we have to wait a few more weeks. Hopefully by the middle of April. You'll be the first to know.

Lois -- I'm so sorry the family is sick. Hopefully it'll be the last of the season. Yes, lunch was the best. I haven't had so much fun in YEARS!! We'll have to do it again when you get back from AZ.

Donna -- Pool party as soon as the weather hits. I know, I love trees and try to save as many as possible. Start the campaign Donna!

Michelle D. Argyle said...

Thanks for keeping us posted!

Anne Gallagher said...

Glamaliscious -- And what's new with you????

Lola Sharp said...

Hey Anne, hope you are on the mend/feeling better.
I've got my eye on you too!
You open the pool, I'll bring the cocktails!!

sarahjayne smythe said...

I think a lot of us are in the same head space as far as writing goes right now. I'm not sure what it is, but my head doesn't seem capable of putting more than two words together so I'm just hanging out surfing the internet. I like to call that research, but I'm not sure it qualifies. I hope you feel better. :)

Susan Fields said...

I've been reading a lot of blog posts about people in "blue" moods. I think we're just full up on winter and need some sun and warmer weather. It will be here soon! And congrats on the partial requests - that's awesome!

Anne Gallagher said...

Lola -- Thanks. I don't drink anymore, Small One won't let me, but by all means, and hey, I used to be a bartender and have been known to make the best Bloody Mary's eva!

Sarah Jayne -- It's true. There are SO MANY of us now that have just gone all twisted. It has got be the weather because I can't seem to find any other reason for all of us to get crazy at the same time. I am feeling better, thank you.

Susan -- Thanks for joining in my little slice of pie. And yes, sun and warm weather will straighten us out, I hope.

JournoMich said...

The Piedmont covers west of GBO through Raleigh, but most people don't know that! You're safe!

Michele
SouthernCityMysteries