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.)

---

It isn't a matter of "this story is completely original" - it's how you tell it.

When "Rebecca" was published, Daphne du Maurier was sued by a writer who had published a similar novel years earlier. She screamed the house down: plagarism! theft! du Maurier had stolen her plot!

It went to court and no one could name one line of this other writer's book; it had gone out of print years earlier. The court found in favour of Mrs. du Maurier, because she had written the story in a way that was memorable.

And boy, is it memorable. "Last night I dreamed I went to Manderley again..."

It's how you tell it. It's in the voice. I have an editor who will read - although not necessarily publish - anything I send. She does it because she loves my voice. She even said so, in the 1993 edition of "Writing Mystery".

---

Deb, I told you I got that book, right? It's been helpful, I think.

---

OK, about to head to bed to get the requisite poor night's sleep before a trip. I'm packing a disk with my novel and have emailed it to my gmail account for good measure. And if I have file compatibility issues with my parents' computer, I can always write new material.

I'm feeling a bit better. I'm still deep in the throes of self-doubt, but I don't intend giving up.

---

erika, that's fabulous. The only thing that took me out of it was:

And she got up and put on one of his shirts, which was long enough to make a tube dress on her

Only because the top of a tube dress is a tube. It wouldn't have sleeves, where one of his shirts would. While I was reading, I didn't notice the mechanics of the netflix remark which deb mentioned, or any other mechanics, because I was so into it. After seeing deb's recommendation, I do agree that could use a little tweak.

Gah, you're talented.

---

Cindy, good catch on the shirt thing; I want a full reread when erika's done some tweaks and given it a hard closure.

Susan, go get 'em.

I wish I knew for certain who was coming to the M is for Mystery signing tomorrow, so I could ask them in advance if they could read for me. My throat isn't better today, it's actually worse.

---