Final .... Draft.... Oxymoron

All right. I was soooo ready to call the final the final...

My dear editor/coach/friend had different ideas. Still very happy with meter and verse - rhymes all work well...

She's not happy with the ending.... Says it needs more punch.....

Back to the drawing board, dear friends. A change to one line or one word can take hours to 'fix' for the rest of the piece. I liked the ending - but I could sense a bit of unease whenever I re-read it. 

I shall endure.... She's right, of course. *g*

Life is perturbingly predictable.

Courage?

I spoke with my son tonight. His daughter is a fledgling actress. She is talented, bless her heart.

My sons and my daughter all had (have) beautiful voices. They don't quite use them anymore.

I played guitar for a zillion years but haven't for quite some time.

Watching Steve Martin and his band tonight at the "Capital 4th" brought thoughts of courage. Here is a man who began his career as a comic, went on to act in movies, produce, write plays, and continues growing into a great banjo picker!

What is it that propelled our founding fathers to stand up and sunder our land from England? What is it that propels soldiers to fight? What is it that makes a housewife decide to write?

I suppose it's courage. I'm not 100% sure. Tenacity is definitely part of the mix. Perseverance. I wish I knew the definitive answer to that question. 

As it is, I'll continue to think it is courage. I'll continue to hone my own. I'll continue to learn discipline. And I'll continue to love life.

Blessings to you all - especially those of us celebrating this glorious 4th of July.

And remember - it is never too late to start something new.....

Life is splendiferous!

Pressing Onward

I am beginning to think positively about my writing. For that I am most grateful.

As I said before, I've worked on the cover letter. I've got two different ones. Needless to say, I will make them personal for the individual publishers. Have already researched books published - to be able to say the giraffe is kind of like this... but better *g*

I went to Vistaprint and made two different business cards. The one I really like has a great photo of three young giraffes. Perfect for the times I will be out and about marketing the picture book.

The other has a butterfly on it - not one of your usual ones either. It speaks more of 'Blue.'

I will only order 250 of the giraffe ones at the moment. We'll see what happens after that. The 'design' is kept by Vistaprint for awhile.

Tuesday - I start phone calls to publishers. 

Life is full.

Huzzah!

Was asked to read the giraffe story today at my writers' group. 

They were appropriately awed - bless their dear hearts. They really, really liked it. Said it was spot on and perfect. Whimsical. Expressive. Humorous. Visual.

I love this little group of dedicated writers 'Writers' Ink' who care enough about each other to come together and support each other.

My daughter loved it too - especially loved the changes to the two areas she thought needed improving.

I want to send it to my editor today - but think it best to wait till Tuesday - her mailbox will probably be quite clogged.

Tuesday - I start calling publishers to get the names of the appropriate person to send the MS and cover letter to. I'm going to give the cover letter one last look tomorrow.

Life is fireworky wonderful.