On March 1, the Literary Lab launched its latest anthology, NOTES FROM UNDERGROUND. This is my second time being asked to contribute. (My first short story High Tide appears in the GENRE WARS ANTHOLOGY released last year.)
To say I am thrilled beyond words is an understatement. I am in the company this year, as well as last, with some of the most brilliant, innovative, and imaginative writers I have ever read.
As writers, we all stumble through rejections whether from critters, or agents, or publishers. Being chosen to participate for a second time has validated my very fragile ego and shown me, it is WORTH it. All the revising, writing, editing, late nights, early mornings, has shown me, with publication, it IS very much WORTH it.
My parents know I'm writing a book. They have never asked me about it, nor do they seem to care. Neither has ever asked -- How's it going? What are you writing? Is it finished? Neither also does not know, not only have I finished two books, I'm closing in quickly on a third. It seems we have a 'don't ask, don't tell' policy at my house. Which is fine. They do not seem to think I will succeed. (Somedays, truthfully, neither do I.) Of course, it is my deepest desire to prove them wrong.
My mother and I were having a discussion last Friday about the latest shennanigans my ugly, horrible, evil, vile sister-in-law has pulled. She hates my guts, I hate hers right back. Every so often, my mother and I give ourselves a little laugh and figure out things to make her hate me even more. So I said,
"Why don't you call Brother and tell him I published a short story for the second time in an anthology."
(You know those cliches I talked about a few weeks back, quirky eyebrows, raking hands... here's another one -- mouth agape.)
My mother's mouth hung agape, her eyes went wide, and she said after a ten second delay, "You know I don't lie."
And I said, "It's not a lie. My short story was published in the NOTES FROM UNDERGROUND anthology and it's on sale at Amazon for $10-. He can go buy it right now."
Suffice to say, everything I have ever written up to this point, including this post has been WORTH IT, just to see that look on my mother's face.
So THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART
Domey Scott Michelle
For making my literary dreams come true.
44 comments:
Congrats on being asked again - that's wonderful. And I'm sorry you have a tough time with your family.
Laura -- Thanks so much. It really is an honor to be in such great company. And you can't pick your family so it is what it is.
Oh, that's awesome, Anne!!! Congrats!
Don't feel too bad. My family doesn't ask me about my writing either. And although my mom displays my books on her coffee table, she has yet to read any of them. LOL
Hi Anne,
First, congratulations again on this achievement. I'm waiting for my copy to arrive in the mail. It IS worth it. My parents know I wrote a novel but I haven't shared it with them. I'm afraid they would not like it. They've read my poetry but not any of my novels or short stories. Once my mother said, "well, I hope this will be worth all the time you've spent." (She doesn't even know the half of it!) That kinda hurt because I got the impression that she didn't think it would.
I don't like to talk about a wip. It would jinx the project, I think, to talk about it. You have a lot of irons in the writer's fire. You should put the vile sister-in-law in one of your novels, changing the name of course to protect the innocent. That would be sweet revenge.
You will succeed. You already have.
Congratulations! And such a shame your parents aren't more supportive. Don't let that stop you, Anne.
Congratulations! I don't get support from my parents either. Good thing the writer's community is fantabulous!
Jennifer -- I know my mother will NEVER read my books even though they're 'G' rated.
Yvonne -- Congrats to you as well. Your mother's comment sounds like what mine would say. And yes, the EVIL one will be going into a book. And I may keep her name just to be spiteful.
Alex -- Thanks. And nothing will stop me at this point. I'm too far in at the deep end.
Mac -- I thought you might enjoy the over abundance of adjectives.
Hannah -- Thanks. If it weren't for this writing community I wouldn't be a writer.
Very cool. Congrats Anne!
Congratulations! That's fantastic! And what a wonderfully satisfying moment telling your mom, too. Enjoy! :)
Congrats on your big news, Anne. :D
I doubt I'll even tell my parents if I'm ever published or land an agent. My father once made a comment that made it quite clear that unless I'm a bestselling author, he saw no value in my writing. He also referred to my writing as a hobby. :P
Fortunately my husband and in-laws a much more supportive.
Congratulations, Anne! You are such an inspiration. Thanks again for that wonderful advice! It really meant a lot to me.
I'm happy you're in the anthology, which is sitting in my shopping cart as we speak. But I'm sorry you haven't gotten family support. Maybe this will turn things around.
Congratulations Anne! Sorry your people are such patooties. You go girl and prove yourself right!
Congrats to you!! And I relate about this "don't ask, don't tell" policy. You are very strong for not allowing this to deter you! It used to hurt that close people didn't seem to care. But you know what? They're missing out. Hope that your family sees this now!
Hey! Congrats! Sorry your peeps don't understand, but you are following your bliss, baby!
There is something nice about the validation of a publication, for sure. :)
Good for you!
I think there's a big difference between validation from a parent, and validation from one's peers--they each feed a craving. I wish there were some way that one could compensate for the other, but, alas, I think they are both insatiable!
Oh my goodness! Wow, I just got warm fuzzies. All that work we put into creating the whole physical journal has paid off with this post, too!
It is worth it to get published, but like I've shared on my blog today, getting validated through it shouldn't be and is quickly becoming not my goal. Still, I totally understand why you feel validated through your publications. Completely natural and called for with the attitude from your parents. Let's just say I know a little bit of what you're feeling. :)
Anne, we thank you. The credit is all yours, because you've done all the work.
Matt -- Thank you.
Linda -- Satisfying indeed.
Stina -- I'm sorry you have parents like mine. I'm glad your in-laws make up for it.
Jamie -- You're very welcome.
Theresa -- I don't think even if I made the NYT best-seller list it would do any good, but hey, I don't care. I know what's what.
Bish -- Patooties! Lol. My word choice is much stronger than that but I like yours.
Saumya -- They are missing out. And it's their loss.
Betty -- I haven't heard that term in forever but it's very apt. Thanks.
Lydia -- Oh yes, it's magical.
Bridget -- I'd rather receive validation from my peers. It means they understand the struggle.
Glamaliscious -- Thanks so much. I know as I venture further out into the publishing world the validation will come in different forms but for right now, this is it. And it's glorious.
Mr. Bailey -- Thank you very much. I may have done all the work but it was still your choice to make.
Hehe! I'm so happy for you! I love those "suck it" moments; I've fortunately been able to have one or two, myself. Sometimes ten seconds of a shocked expression really IS the greatest reward.
So happy for you, Anne. I bet the look on your mother's face was PRICELESS! =)
LMFAO! That is AWESOME! Go you!
E. -- Oh yeah baby, it was Awesome in Sauce.
Jessica -- That is EXACTLY what it was.
Sarah -- Thanks Sarah.
They say that blood may be thicker than water, but it comes to a boil a lot faster, too. I hate that there is turmoil and hatred with parts of your family. I love that look on your mother's face. May only better things await you, Roland
Aw! That's fantastic, Anne! I love it when you can prove disbelievers wrong.
There are many people in my world who don't 'get it'. That's why it's so great to have such a supportive group of blog buds. We're all there cheering you on, and we GET IT!
I'm glad you got that satisfaction - and much congrats to you - that's a great accomplishment!
Congratulations! What an honor to have been asked--talk about validation! It's sad that we sometimes have to persevere IN SPITE of our family, but you seem to be doing well in that area. Keep up the good fight!
Becca @ The Bookshelf Muse
Roland -- The hatred wasn't always there and as soon as my brother divorces her, our family will reunite. That's what I'm waiting for.
Talli -- Absolutely. That's why I love blogging so much. I don't have to explain anything because you guys do get it.
Jaydee -- Thanks so much. It means a lot.
Becca -- I still can't really believe it. It IS an honor and I'm completely humbled by it.
Thanks for stopping by.
Thank you, Anne. For being a wonderful spirit and fantastic blogger. Keep up the great work. I believe in you.
Congrats, lady :-) I'm so happy for you!
I am so pleased for you Anne. Both for the publications, and the mouth gaping moment. My family asks frequently "how's the writing going" but they mean it more like "making any money off that silly hobbie of yours?"
They are excited about my getting published in Bewildering Stories with the short story my dad asked me to write for him.
I hope you get a lot more support from your family, but you know we always got your back in here.
I bought Genre Wars, and plan to purchase Underground, but I haven't read all the stories in the first edition. I think I need to go read it cover to cover . .
.......dhole
Ivy -- No thank you for being part of the experience.
Christi -- Thanks. Nice to see you out and about.
Donna -- "we always got your back" Thanks Donna. That means a lot. And congrats to you for getting your own short story published.
Congrats on the text being published. Are you using the in law as a figure in one of your stories?Have you ever thought how someone might have to grovel in what they shovel out alone if you went out of your way to be nice?It has amazed me how well this works and keeps your life going strong.
Prairie -- Thank you. The in-law is going in a book. In answer to your question, I took her in when she had no where to go. I helped her find her life path when no one else would lend her a hand. I took care of her children when she was ill. I gave her whatever I had to help her along. And now she repays me with hatred.
No, I will no longer be nice. As a matter of fact, I will probably never see her again so she is of no consequence to me one way or the other. The only thing I regret is not maintaining a relationship with her children. I should have been more forceful with my brother about it, but he too , has been brow-beaten by her. And it is a shame.
Congratulations, that must have been a great feeling.
That's both sad and funny. Congrats on the publication, though!
Anne, congratulations on the publication. I'd like to also thank you for the comment you left on my blog today. It means a lot, so thank you.
Congratulations! It is worth it!
My mother is a little out there as well. When I told her I had the same agent as Amy Tan, she made some comment about that not being a big deal seeing Amy Tan isn't very famous. Also never asks me about my book. It's fine. I know where it comes from. It has made me a better mother. I ask. I inquire. And I am so happy that you are not letting her stand in your way. You're moving on and celebrating your worth. And we are all with you, Girl!!!! Rock on!!!
Oh my goodness, Anne...congratulations!! We--your friends-- are so proud of you. You are wonderful!
Doris
Congratulations Anne! How very exciting!
Hooray! Can you hear my cheer from London?! :)
Congratulations on being asked 'for the second time' - this is brilliant, and it just shows how much they liked your writing the first time around. Well done... and your description of what we go through as writers and then how it feels to make a little headway - oh yes, perfect. x
Anne,
How great to be published! Mega congrats.
Wonder if your brother will buy a copy?
Post a Comment