I mean, I've gone so nuts that I just went to Amazon to confirm the spellings of the names of all the authors in the paragraph where I talk about what kind of readers might like my work. (I don't say, "I am the next Susie Bestseller," since that's arrogant, and what if she hates Susie Bestseller? It's more, "I believe my work would appeal to readers who enjoy the blahbitty blah romances of Jane Popular and Mary Longcareer and the historical fiction Joe Critically-Acclaimed and Bob Pageturner.")

I know how to spell their names. I do. I mean, I've read their books. But I was so afraid of being like all those people who rave about "Jane Austin" that I looked it up to be sure.

I haven't done this seriously since 2003. I have to work through this neurotic phase for the first submission or two.

I hear you, but I think it's safe to not worry about it, unless you have received specific instructions.

Edit: About the binding, not the spelling. You're right to quadruple check the spelling. And then your typing.

I can not believe that I am actually sitting here looking at two 70-count stacks of paper, one in a binder clip and the other in a rubberband, trying to get a feel for which one looks right.

I need a life.

For what it is worth, the rubberband looks like less work to read.

Totally rubber band. Unless otherwise specified, rubber band is the industry standard.

edited for laptop hiccoughs

No drabble topic this week?

sneaking in before the drabble topic...

So I got my NaNoWriMo reminder the other day. Has anyone done this particular event before? (I know Deb can write a book in a month, but I don't pretend to be half that good.) I'm sort of dumbstruck by the fact that it's almost November, and as such have not done any planning like I was... planning. I'm not sure that I can still do it, if I have no idea what I want to write.

Ooopsie. I'm about to run out the door to get my hair cut, but I'll post a topic when I get back. Promise!

I know Deb can write a book in a month

Not usually; just the Kinkaids.

I generally run between four and six months, which I think is reasonable enough.

I keep meaning to do NaNoWriMo, but I'm never at a beginning point for a story then--right now I'm polishing Anna and Jack's story, and what with an actual person who might buy it having shown at least a glimmer of interest, I'm not about to set it aside on Nov. 1! However, I'm making one of my 2006 goals to finish the Lucy and James re-do I'm starting Jan. 1 in time to NaNoWriMo my Waterloo story.