After a marathon conversation with Kristen, and an odd conversation with Fury. I gave up on "why." Just continuing to write and write, and hopefully, "why" will be evident to the reader.

Fury says "why" is because i was funny. He put a bit of trust out, i didn't mangle it, he put a bit more out, and over time, it became apparent that i was A-OK. But it seems to be the funny. So I figure as long as what I write is also funny, the reader will think, "yeah, I'd trust her, too." Hopefully.

P-C, that's the kind of rejection editors send when they think the piece is saleable, only not at their magazine. Given that they must get hundreds if not thousands of stories a month, that they took the time over yours shows how seriously they took it.

Allyson, sometimes the author is the last person you should ask for the "why." :-)

Wheee! to Victor and Thessaly.

P-C, I still have a story of yours to read, but as others here know (hanging head in shame) I am a little overextended. I'm looking forward to it, but trying to find time to read it when kids aren't pulling on me and dinner isn't cooking, et cetera et cetera...

Susan, I did get that email! Sorry I didn't reply. She's not one of my favorites. She's not not, if that makes sense, but some of her stuff seems oversimplified for my taste. (And see above to P-C -- I'm enjoying the book very much, and I will email comments soon, I promise. I tend to say yes to too many things, very often things I really want to do, but with the number of things I have to do lately, I have to learn to leave myself more time to, well, sleep. Eat. Breathe. That stuff.)

Bev, I replied in LJ. Lovely, lovely poem!

And last, go Allyson on the essay-writing for a book! If any of them are anything like the other stuff I've read of yours, I'll be standing in line to buy a copy. I'm not as well-versed with the non-fiction publishing experience as I am with fiction (from both editorial and authorial perspectives), but I'd be happy to share whatever I know if you have questions. Profile email is good.

Allyson, et al, I know that, I swear I do, but I still can't stop asking why. I compare my life to the Adena Watson case for a reason, after all.

Susan, I did get that email! Sorry I didn't reply. She's not one of my favorites. She's not not, if that makes sense, but some of her stuff seems oversimplified for my taste. (And see above to P-C -- I'm enjoying the book very much, and I will email comments soon, I promise. I tend to say yes to too many things, very often things I really want to do, but with the number of things I have to do lately, I have to learn to leave myself more time to, well, sleep. Eat. Breathe. That stuff.)

Understood. As I mentioned over in Bitches, I got the results back from another contest, and feel like I got pretty good feedback. Based on my oh-so-extensive experience of two contests, it seems like of any three random readers, one will so completely love what I'm doing that she won't see any significant faults. So I don't need to worry about her. The second reader just won't get what I'm trying to do--she'll either completely dislike the story, or her comments will show she's just missed the point. I don't need to worry about her, either. The third reader gets what I'm trying to do and likes it, but isn't so blinded by what I do well that she can't see the faults. That's the reader I should be writing for. If I can win her over, I'll be in.

Susan roooooocks.

P-C is good for Susan's ego.

Waiting for Tim's approval on his story, goofily titled: Minearest and Dearest, and then will have that available for beta read for parties interested in doing me a favor, you know, if he approves.

Finishing up next essay tonight. Moving along, moving along. I think so far I have 3 and a half that I'd like to use. I've no idea what is an acceptable length. Thinking out loud.

goofily titled: Minearest and Dearest

That's totally awesome. Rather brilliant, actually. I'm a sucker for good puns.

Me please, Allyson. I'll be checking in sporadically most of the day, and I'll get back to you as soon as I can.