Oh, my god. It's like a British comedy of manners. "George Bush Made Me Orgasm-Impaired!"

Or something.

Heh. A damned good beginning.

This:

(That last one still struck John as unfair, as they were barely edging toward an R rating at the time of the banishment, but that argument seemed to strengthen the rat-faced manager’s resolve. Thank God for Netflix.)

That last line reads as your thoughts, though, not his. Give it a positive attachment, something like "He remembered to offer up his usual silent thanks for Netflix", or something to attach it him, rather than to you.

It needs closure, too, to wrap it up tight. Can be political and porny together....

Thanks, all.

To be honest, I was expecting something like.

"Hanging chads."
"Oh, baby..."
"Provisional ballots."
"Yeah, talk dirty to me."

I may just be channelling the Republican National Committee.

Xposted with Bitches:

Well, damn.

I just got a rejection on one of the partials I sent off after the writers' conference. From the agent I fell in love with because she was so enthusiastic about historicals, and really thought would make a wonderful match for my work. I sent her the first three chapters of my first book and a synopsis for my second. The pertinent part of the letter:

I ultimately concluded that your writing was not strong enough to make these clearly marketable projects. The story moved along too slowly, with too much repetition. As a result, the characters never really came to life. I didn't find the alternating first-person pov to be a very effective way to tell the story. Finally, the synopsis for Soldier's Lady just didn't seem to have enough fresh material for today's crowded marketplace of historicals. You should certainly not interpret my decision as the final negative assessment of your manuscript. As you know, this is a most subjective business and most agents, I believe, take on only those projects that they personally feel strongly about and most confident of selling. Other agents may well assess your manuscript differently.

Damn, that's harsh. Most of my rejections have included at least SOME praise--they like either the concept or my writing, just not both. And I really, really thought when I met her that I'd found THE AGENT.

And, you know? I never claimed to be particularly original. Being the first person ever to write about Topic X is not my particular form of creativity. But I'm sorry, if it's a romance set in the Peninsular War and the hero is anything other than yet another aristocratic spy, I think it's fresh material.

Oi, universe! Lay off!

And someone please kick my ass and tell me I should really go through with my plan of taking the project with me on the trip so I can get it finished by 12/31 like I said I would. Because for all I know, the NAL editor will want to see the full--just because I had brilliant chemistry with the agent and so-so with the editor doesn't mean that since the agent didn't like my work, I have no chance with the editor.

Susan, goddammit. Do you know how far you've already made it? Do you know how much I admire your persistence and dedication to this? If you don't finish your fucking book, I will throw things at you.

What PC said with less profanity. (Do you kiss your mother with that mouth, young man? Kids these days, sheesh.)

Enough potential was seen that you were requested to send in bigger samples. Finish it and know it's finished and ready to go at a moment's notice.

Susan, go finish your book, sweetie.

This is one agent. ONE. Did I ever tell you about the highly respected one who turned down Weaver - which had already SOLD - because she was expecting, and I quote, "I don't know, maybe more blood? At least a body in the first few pages." And that was despite having read the synopsis?

One agent. You go finish your book, and chill out.

And in terms of "first person to write about X"? There aint no such person. Hasn't been since the last of the first original - what's it supposed to be, seven? - plotlines was written about the first time.

Mark Twain said that Adam was the only one, who, when he said something clever, never had to wonder if anyone said it first. But I flip back and forth between thinking "I've got nothing new to say." and "This is freakish and nobody will want it."(ie. Too Original) Pretend you're writing it for Annabel or something. Because I just tell myself I'm writing for The guy I started this bet with, and the Bitches.(I have big ambitions, but that's enough to let me finish.)