Cares:
My story is all fuzzy. I’m much too close to it at the moment. I have 100 pages to edit/revise before sending it off to a couple agents and an editor, and I can’t tell if it’s good or if it’s crap.
Some people talk about “coming out of the closet” as a writer. Well, I spilled the beans to my entire fifth grade class. Their two big questions were: Are you going to be famous? and Can you read us your books? To which my answer was: No and No.
Concerns:
The waiting game. I’ve heard people talk about this. About how hard it is to wait. I finally understand what they are talking about. I’ve yet to send my stuff in and already I’m getting antsy!
Getting my manuscript as polished as it can be so I can start submitting (hopefully next week).
Celebrations:
Brogan started clapping last night. You might not think this is a big deal, and in the grand scheme of things, I’m sure it’s not. But you have no idea how proud I was watching him slap his cute little palms together. He looked so darned pleased with himself.
I’m feeling confident lately. Not arrogant or prideful, just confident. Even though Beneath a Velvet Sky (the book I’ll be submitting very soon) might not be THE one, I am confident that I have the chops to write, and that sooner or later, I’ll produce a book that is.
Question to Ponder: What are your cares, concerns, and celebrations today?
A New Idea:
You know how on Twitter, people do that Follow Friday thing? Well, in the spirit of Follow Friday, I thought I might suggest a blog to follow on Fridays. Usually, I will highlight the blog under my Cares, but since this is the first week, I thought I’d give it it’s own category.
The blog I’ve chosen this Friday is What I Learned Today, by Billy Coffey. I’m willing to bet most of my followers already know this blog, but I’m going to highlight it anyway. Billy’s blog is a new discovery for me and it’s deep, insightful, thought-provoking, and highly recommended.
Thanks everybody, for sharing your 3 C's! I look forward to Fridays so I can share in your celebrations, learn about your cares, and pray over your concerns. Please know I think about each and everyone of you when you share!
Love,
Katie
So fun – your little guy's clapping.
And congrats on getting ready to send off your manuscripts. The waiting is hard. I just encourage you to keep writing while you wait.
Blessings on your week ahead. 🙂
Hi Katie, nice blog, great thoughts and way to go with your writing! I'm all too familiar with that feeling of being too close to your story to be subjective. If you ever need an extra crit partner, give me a shout. I like to expand the horizons every now and then, I'd be happy to give it a try if you need a fresh pair of eyes.
Clapping and confidence–two fantastic celebrations. I hope you have a peaceful weekend!
Hugs,
Nicole
how about saturday morning and i'm just now getting to yours? 🙂
the job search is coming along…the job i really want back in CA has now been taken off the internet…so hopefully i'll hear something about interviewing.
maddy was a butt yesterday. i had to spank her 3 times to pick up her toys before bed. she's never been so defiant. of course, this morning, she's a perfect angel. i was so frustrated last night…just dropped to my knees and prayed, no joke.
anyway…lets talk soon. you home today?
I'm very fuzzy right now too, Katie. I'm looking at REALLY big revisions on my novel, and it's all rather a jumble.
And I wanted to let you know that blogger is not my friend lately. 🙁 I saw that you left two lovely comments on my blog. One got published, and blogger ate the other! I try to be careful and check one comment at a time, and it still eats them sometimes! Sorry that the second one did not show up; I surely approved it–and I think you asked me a question (I didn't read it, just checked 'approved') so if you want to return and ask again, I'll try to answer.
Oh–and as to coming out as a writer to your students? I did that, too. What I've found, though, is that like adults, they have no concept of how hard and long the journey is. Like, "You're a writer, so where's your book?" type of thing. Heh.
Have a wonderful weekend!
I love clapping babies! They make me smile. I'm so excited that you are getting your MS's all ready. I will certainly enjoy following your progress!
And what a great idea for a blog follow friday! I will have to check out his blog!
Cheers for clapping. It is so cute when babies learn something new–the excitement they have is awesome.
Cares: I have more work than I wanted to do on my WIP.
Celebrations: My family is coming into town today. We all get to celebrate my grandparents and the inspiration they have been to our church over the years.
You are well within your right to film and brag about your little man, way to go Brogan! And the story about your students was so funny…way to go for stepping out!
So glad you have newfound confidence and I'm praying that you are able to refocus the fuzzy and get your MS ready to go 🙂
My cares – my hubby might have to have knee surgery. We've been down this road once before and it was NOT PRETTY…so I'm a little apprehensive! Celebrating the fact that my free time has been very productive, and I'm making really great progress with my novel! Have a great weekend!!!
Oh, I love hearing babies giggle and clap. Enjoy your little man! And don't worry about waiting. You get used to it after a while!
Katie keep praising your little man- it never gets old!
My Cares: Being the best writer that I can be for the people of God and those yet to join the family.
My Concerns: How long will it take me to get there! I am not the most patient person. Prayfully I can surrender more the Holy Spirit in that area. (Please pray)
My Celebrations: I just started my first blog this week and I am still grinning from ear to ear. After having followed you all for so long it feels surreal to have stepped into the action.
It is great to hear that you are confident, it makes no sense for us to be walking around defeated and unsure of the gifts that God has given.
Blessings to you…
Yay for Brogan. I picture that cute little gaffer clapping right now. How fun!
If you please, send some of that confidence my way–I could use some of it too. If you want a readers eye for typos, you can send those chapters my way. I'd love to read them!
I'm going to check out that blog now.
Hi Katie-
I'll have to check out that blog today; thanks for suggesting it.
Cares: I've picked up another freelance job, and it's bigger than I was expecting it to be – but that's good! I care about what I'm going to submit and want to make sure I don't disappoint the editor.
Concerns: I finally figured out how to fit novel-writing into my schedule this summer…and now I'm substitute teaching again. I'm concerned that I can't discipline myself enough to do it all.
Celebrations: I'm subbing again! I really like it, and I'm currently with my FAVORITE class as we work in the computer lab. I really like subbing and it thrills me that I can do it AND get paid!
I'm clapping for Brogan 😉
Oh, I have video our little peanut clapping, especially after she figured out that the word and the action were connected! It's such a great moment, you're absolutely right!
Thanks for your honest sharing about your life! You are so transparent and I love that.
So how did it feel coming out of the closet with your 5th graders? Must have been kind of fun and weird at the same time. But as Debbie Macomber said, we have so much that we can teach our children (including those that aren't actually ours). Maybe you will inspire them to dream big dreams!
Praying you will have the clarity to get that MS really ready to send out! I think Brogan is just cheering you on! I'll be clapping for you too! 🙂
I'm not familiar with his blog, Katie. Thanks for sharing it with me!
Elizabeth
Mystery Writing is Murder
I love Billy's blog! He is such an inspiration.
That's exciting to hear you are almost ready to submit. I pray for wonderful feedback and encouraging news for you!
And Brogan clapping is huge news! We must celebrate those moments!
Billy does produce rich stuff on his blog. Love the comments to your 5th grade class and glad you are feeling confident lately. That is a good thing and you DO have the chops!
Cares: My husband coming home. He's been traveling a lot.
Concerns: I'm worn out often. I need to slice my schedule.
Celebrations: U2 was awesome last Sunday. I am falling in love with my characters.
Have a wonderful weekend!
~ Wendy
Hey Katie, I love your first care about your manuscript being all fuzzy. I am going through exactly the same thing. This week i have also taken a break from blogging world to finish editing my book. I was in tears last night worried that the whole thing was complete crap and that I had just wasted a year of my life writing and revising it…. hmmm.
I love Billy's Blog 🙂 He's always got something insanely inspirational to say.
Congrats on Brogan, and the book requests 🙂
Care – My husband has an interview next week. I care that he does well and even if he doesn't get the job, he still feels confident that he did the best he can. Especially considering the job is not necessarily in his field of expertise.
Concern – If he gets the job that will mean A Ton of changes in our life. I hope we transition well.
Celebration – I've rekindled a lost friendship and I'm absolutely thrilled about it!
I've seen Billy's blog but never followed it. Will have to check it out again. 🙂
Also, I think it's awesome about Brogan! Yay! It's so wonderful how they learn. My youngest is starting to put words together and even though my two older ones did it and I've heard it before, I'm still completely tickled. 🙂
If you need any extra eyes for your partial, I'm here. 🙂
Have a great weekend!