Monday, April 30, 2007

New Contract, New Group, and Just News

"Once you replace negative thoughts with positive ones, you'll start having positive results." - Willie Nelson

I just heard back from an editor at The Wild Rose Press , Champagne Rose line -- they've accepted another of my stories! I was beginning to get worried about this one... they've had it for quite a long time, had requested a rewrite (from first person POV to third) and I was afraid I'd done an awful job with the change.

But the editor loves the changes and offered me a contract for my story, "Pregnancy Cravings". It's more lighthearted than any of my others. Honestly, I'm surprised this is my first funnier one that's being published, because that's my favorite kind of writing to create and to read.

It was a good way to end my weekend. Yesterday was a l-o-n-g day. Aside from the fact I was sleep deprived, my DD was very needy. She is apparently coming down with a cold (her first one all season -- and immediately after her vaccination for chicken pox at the Doctor's office... coincidence? I think not) and was clingy. I got no writing done at all, because DH got up at the same time as me in the morning as well...

In other news, I'm signing up with a few other Wild Rose Press authors for MayNoWriMo (it will probably actually start a few days into May and end a few days into June). I think I may be crazy. It's a slightly altered version of NaNo, but should give me my fix until November (I really like doing NaNo). The rules are 30,000 words in thirty days -- and you can work on an existing project if you want. The idea is to finish something - a novella, the rest of a novel that's been languishing, or whatever. Anyone else want to join? I'll send you the Yahoo group address if you're that crazy :-)

Oh... I nominated this post of Allie's for "best blog post" over at Write From Karen. If you like the post as much as I did, go vote for it!

I've been thinking a lot about promotion lately... it was a comment from my DH that made me realize I should do a little bit more, even if it's "only" short stories that I'm promoting. I mentioned that I was making us millionaires one dollar at a time, and he said, "Just sell a hundred thousand of your stories, and we'll be on our way."

The Wild Rose author who started the WriMo group, above, has fifteen reviews on Fictionwise for her story. I have a total of seven between both... based on what I sold over there, and the percentage of people who left reviews, she sold A LOT more than I did. Not a few, a lot. So, I know it can be done. Of course, she's writing paranormal, and it may be that there is a larger audience for vampires than for "sweet" romance, but still... Any thoughts?

I was going to end this with a meme, but the Monday's a Bitch meme is all about video-gaming. The first question is about your favorite system... Um... I don't have one? We have, in fact, been told that we are abusing our DD because we don't have a gaming system. In all seriousness.

So instead, I'll give you this:

You Are a Plain Ole Cup of Joe

But don't think plain - instead think, uncomplicated
You're a low maintenance kind of girl... who can hang with the guys
Down to earth, easy going, and fun! Yup, that's you: the friend everyone invites.
And your dependable too. Both for a laugh and a sympathetic ear.


10 comments:

Allie Boniface said...

OK, I might be crazy enough to try MayNoWriMo...can you send me the address?

Allie Boniface said...

Oh, and P.S. - Congrats on the WRP acceptance of *another* short story! That's so exciting!

groovyoldlady said...

YOu and I are the same kind of coffee.

(It bugs the heck out of me that they said, "your" dependable too. Ugh! It's "YOU'RE!!!)

groovyoldlady said...

Hmmm. I commented before I read the whole entry. I guess that coffee cup distracted me!

I don't even know what "a gaming system" is. The girlies play educational games on Highlights.com and iknowthat.com . End of story.

Your randimization questions are up on my blog, so go for it!

Anonymous said...

Congrats on the story getting accepted. That's interesting the editor asked you to switch from first person to third. The funny thing is I like to read third the best but actually like to write first a lot.

And I enjoy reading sweet and funny stories so hope you sell a lot of yours.

anno said...

I remember reading about your struggle with the shift in POV -- congratulation on another acceptance!

I, too, am a POCoJ!

Charity Tahmaseb said...

Congrats on the sale! That's fantabulous.

Melissa McClone said...

Congrats on the new sale! what a wonderful way to start the week.

Good luck with the May nano. I don't need 30K, just about 24K by June 1st.

Ceri Hebert said...

CONGRATS on the sale!! Woo hoo!! You are definitely on a roll there. I hope I can join you at some point whenever I can get this novella done.

timlxice-tomorrow I'll make like xylophones in constant evolution.

Alice said...

Hi Marianne, CONGRATS!! And... all the best in your upcoming endeavour too.

I would love to try MayNoWriMo, but couldn't muster enough courage to do so. ('Lack of talent' is always my excuse...)

Have a great week ahead!