Wednesday, September 10, 2008

update on the book (and its ominous subject)

After my pink umbrella post, I am no longer satisfied with any picture that is not predominantly pink and splattered with rain. Have you heard of Rosie O'Donnell's yellow? She calls all things good and lovely, pure, full of light - she calls this "yellow". I think pink might be my yellow.

The book received its first rejection. I won't be posting every little update about that, because what if a publisher who loved my manuscript stopped by my blog before accepting it and saw a post titled "Rejection Number 15 - and counting"? Said editor would probably decide not only to reject it after all but quite possibly to get out of the business. The book will head out on another round of possible publishers before too long, and I will hold my breath and hope against hope and not email my agent at all and try to pretend getting published is barely even on my to-do list. I was wondering tonight if I should stop blogging so that I can focus on the next book instead. Some people don't get published at all until they have written more than one book. That makes me feel anxious to get the next one done. But I can't give up the blog. It's the writing that people are actually reading. A few of you anyway.

I go for a check-up on Friday. One of those checkups. The cancer ones. It's been about six months I think. I barely think about cancer at all between checkups. Then when I hit that familiar waiting room it all comes rushing back like breakfast when I'm pregnant. I fidget and think about old people and how I'll probably never be one. I start counting the million rays of radiation that will have been shot into my body by the time I'm forty and how many other cancers are so much more common than the one I had and are therefore probably just waiting their turn to surprise me.

Usually after seeing my surgeon, I'm all better. He's very "yellow". He always makes me feel that I really am cancer-free and that even if I wasn't he could totally handle anything cancer can dish out. So I'm looking forward to Friday after 1 p.m. When it comes, I'm going to feel very, very pink.

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

"My culuh's are blush and bashful...."

:) I have to quote every once in a while

Stay in your pink zone, no worries, you will be a published author before you know it, and I'll be standing in line for a signed copy......
Tiff

Kathy said...

Don't give up the blog! It's often the pinkest thing in my day. (And Rare Rocks is the sparkliest)

Harold Forbis recommends the Elephant Bar on 119th and Metcalf for your celebratory lunch after seeing our favorite Cancer Slayer.

Anonymous said...

I check your blog every day... so puh-lease don't quite blogging!!! I'll be looking forward to your pink report tomorrow. -heather toro

Anonymous said...

oops!! don't "quit" blogging!! ;0P

Anonymous said...

I just love the way you "write" with color! Next thing you know your will be "coloring" with words. :)
In my prayers!
Andrea C

Anonymous said...

My vote is "anti-quitsies"

(name that movie...mmm, probably too low for you but you can try anyway) :-)

Serenity said...

Too low for me? I wanna say Monty Python or Jim Carey. I haven't seen Monty Python. I just know you and Holly can quote it like crazy! . . .

But then I looked it up, because I CHEAT, and I see that I was right! Okay Dumb and Dumber isn't my favorite kind of humor, but I do love Jim Carey.

Felicity said...

Tiff, that comment was so funny!

Very diplomatic, Mom.

Oh, Seren, yeah, don't quit blogging; I use your little updated Blogroll all the time since I'm obviously too challenged to make my own!

Rebecca Ramsey said...

The constant waiting is the hardest part of the whole publishing journey--at least it is for me.

You ought to treat yourself on Friday! A huge sundae! Or chocolate!
Becky

Serenity said...

Becky, thanks so much for the writing encouragement! And to the chocolate idea - I believe I will.

Anonymous said...

It's me, Tracy, your old transcription buddy. Keeping track of you. :) You're in my prayers.

Rachel Mowrey said...

Serenity! Your blog is so interesting, insightful, well-written, moving! You are definitely a writer. No doubt! If it weren't so doggone late, I'd stay up to read all your posts! And...I'll buy a copy of your book when it hits the shelves. xoxo Rachel

Anonymous said...

Bingo. And in my defense I haven't watched that movie in like 10 years. :-)

Valerie said...

I am going to have to remind you that you are the reason I started blogging and many people would be missing some very pink moments if you were to stop. So don't do that! I think it's a great idea to start your next book. I will be requiring autographed copies of every book you publish for me and for my mom. She will cry when I give them to her! You know the hug/cry/hug thing I am talking about!

Karen said...

Your book will get published. I haven't actually read it but I believe that somehow things will work out. You have a great writing style on this blog and if your book is anything like this it's a home run (or another sports metaphor for winning).

I understand if you decide to stop blogging, but just know you'll be missed!!!