Where Have All the Words Gone?

At the advice of someone on Twitter, I headed to my local Barnes & Noble to check out a romance novel I was assured was fantastic. I found it and couldn't believe how thin it was. This was a regular single-title contemporary romance novel, not a Harlequin book. It was 330 pages and cost $7.99.

Call me cheap, but I don't want to spend $8 for a book I'll be done reading after a lunch break. I don't mind forking out the dough for a good book. In fact, I prefer to buy my books so that the author gets a little something out of the deal (since I know what hard work it is!), but 330 pages? Really?

I know that long books are hard to sell (particularly for debut novelists), but it seems like novels are getting shorter and shorter while the prices keep going up. Why is that? What happened to sinking your teeth into a good book? I, for one, prefer my books to be about 500-700 pages or I don't feel like I got my money's worth.

But enough about me. What do you think?

The Measure of Success

My husband and I stayed at the Dalhousie Castle in Edinburgh, Scotland last month (dream come true). I had a peek past the reception desk into the office, where a small sign was posted:

Success is not measured by the level you achieve, but the obstacles you overcame to reach it.

This reminded me of a conference I attended a couple of years ago where Malcolm Gladwell, author of Outliers, was a speaker. His book is a fascinating study in the benefit of having obstacles to overcome. Something he said really stuck with me: "Maybe it's harder to handle success if you come from success, rather than from adversity."

These are words of encouragement to me (and perhaps to you, as well) since I had unrealistic expectations of what the path to publication would look like. I was inspired by Diana Gabaldon and Stephenie Meyer (as I have mentioned before). Both of these ladies found a fast path to success with their first books. Why should I be any different, right?

Wrong.

It's been a torturous uphill journey, scattered with wonderful heartfelt comments from readers and devastating rejection from agents. It hasn't been what I'd expected at all. And I've felt like giving up. Maybe you have, too.

Sure, fast success would have been great, but would it have meant as much? What about the lessons I have learned about myself (and others) on this emotional path? I am the better for it, though a bit road weary. I have the power to choose what I consider success, and so do you! Choose joy and perseverance today!

"Up, down, up, down, life's like a jump rope"- Blue October

My Itty-Bittty Scene is Famous!

You may recall that my 250-word action scene received Honorable Mention in Nathan Bransford's contest recently. I entered it into the Strong Scenes contest for June and am a finalist! Check it out:

http://www.strongscenes.com/

WooHoo!

:: does wiggling dance of joy ::

It's Time to Celebrate!

No, I haven't gotten an agent (yet) and I don't have a big publishing contract to get excited about, but I figure, why wait? Today is worth celebrating and here's why (in no particular order):

1. There is blue sky right now in Seattle. I swear, it's true!
2. I have hot coffee in my mug.
3. My family loves me.
4. The book I finished last night made me tear up a little.
5. Jody Hedlund became a follower of the blog!
6. Noah's Bagels are yummy.
7. I am healthy (don't even have the sniffles!).
8. God is in control of this crazy life so I don't have to sweat it.
9. YOU are reading this post, which makes me exceedingly happy.
10. People are jogging outside my window. They're fun to watch. :)

Today's song selection is from Plus One:
"If you need love, take the time and be love. Breathe it out, create love. See how things can turn."

What's your reason to celebrate today? C'mon, you know there's at least one!

God's business vs. My business

On Sunday morning during a prayer, the pastor thanked the Lord for our church being 'about God's business' and the phrase really stuck with me. I should be a person who is about God's business, but the majority of my time and energy is about my business. It's all about me, to be honest. My book, my efforts to get published (including every social media outlet I can find), my kids, my house, my job, my relationships...

I am the center of my universe. No wonder it's so exasperating! :)

I wonder what life would look like if I were truly 'about God's business' rather than thinking that my business is so all-important. New perspectives can be powerful paradigm shifts!

Ooh, pick me! Pick me!

Lorraine Holloway-White and the rest of the team over at Authors On Show have selected Between to be in the running for this month's reviewing contest! The top three authors get their books reviewed by a reviewer from a publishing house (which would be way cool) so check out the link and vote for me!

Ok, ok, you can vote for two more that you like as well, but definitely vote for me, too. ;)

Thanks to the folks over at Authors On Show for the honor of being selected for the contest! There's some good talent out there and I'm proud to be a part of it!

My Pity Party Playlist!

Ok, so rejection number 3,715,859 came today (give or take). So, in the spirit of a true pity party, here are some songs that came to mind (and some I found while surfing the web).

All That Could Have Been- Nine Inch Nails
Broken Dream- Justin Hayward
Cry Me A River- Crystal Gayle
Crying- Roy Orbison
Heartbreak Town- Dixie Chicks
Hello, Mr. Heartache- Dixie Chicks
I Can't Cry Hard Enough- Paul Williams
I Can't Make You Love Me- Bonnie Raitt
I Gotta Get Drunk- Willie Nelson
I'm Not Okay- My Chemical Romance
I'm On The Outside Looking In- Little Anthony
Is That All There Is?- Peggy Lee
It's My Party (and I'll Cry If I Want To)- Leslie Gore
It's The End of the World As We Know It- R.E.M.
Let the Sad Times Roll On- Buck Owens
Misery and Gin- Merle Haggard
Not Goin' Cry- Mary J. Blige
So Much For My Happy Ending- Avril Lavigne
Sounds of Silence- Simon & Garfunkel
Teardrops On My Guitar- Taylor Swift
There's a Tear in My Beer- Hank Williams
Too Much Time On My Hands- Styx
What Hurts the Most- Rascal Flatts
What's Going On- Marvin Gaye

Ok, enough whining and moping about! I WILL find the agent who loves my book and it WILL get published!

So here's my new theme song! Tubthumping by Chumbawamba

That's right: "I get knocked down, but I get up again. You're never gonna keep me down!"

Ah, much better :)

Feel free to add your own songs to the play list, my friends!