javachik- i sent you email re: Emeline's tball team, did you get it?

The simple fact of the matter is, no matter how good I am or think I am, in terms of craft, I'm simply not good enough nor do I stand out quite enough to make publishers take that chance on me-- to be worth that risk.

But isn't a big part of the equation luck? The manuscript just happens to be the right thing at the right time when someone's looking at it. I don't think you should be too hard on yourself. It seems like right now the tide of the market is going the wrong way.

More on the political climate discussion from upthread:

Yesterday,

A tea party organizer angry over Rep. Thomas Perriello’s (D-Va.) vote in favor of health care reform published what he thought was the freshman member’s home address on a blog, in case any readers “want to drop by” and provide a “personal touch” to their views.

Rather than giving out Perriello’s address however, the tea party activist mistakenly printed the home address of the congressman’s brother. Perriello’s brother and wife have four children under the age of 8.

Today,

Federal and local authorities are investigating a severed gas line at the home of U.S. Rep. Tom Perriello’s brother, discovered the day after Tea Party activists posted the address online so opponents could “drop by” and “express their thanks” for Perriello’s vote in favor of health care reform.

Glam, he's so cute!

Monster baby!

Xposted to Natter: Anybody have experience teaching/tutoring with Kaplan or something similar? I'm pondering ways to get me a job in NOLA and/or keep my brain from atrophying while I do construction work like it kind of did last time.

Thanks, Jilli. But I think that as I was hesitating anyway, I'd probably feel a little self conscious wearing it, which isn't a good look on anyone.

I did get the following for a big work do next month:

This dress: [link]

With this wrap (to get me past my arm issues): [link]

Now to find shoes . . .

Anybody have experience teaching/tutoring with Kaplan or something similar?

I did training with Kaplan, but I never actually taught a class. I enjoyed it.

smon - a friend of mine works for them here in Michigan- a director or something. I could hook you two up via email if you'd like.

Yikes, Fred Pete!

t will be paying attention to smonster's NOLA maneuverings, lest an opportunity to piggyback on it arises.

But isn't a big part of the equation luck? The manuscript just happens to be the right thing at the right time when someone's looking at it.

Yeah, it certainly can be. However, it still has to have something to set it apart from the others. If it's not distinguishable in terms of concept, then the craft and storytelling have to be absolutely impeccable or at least have the "It" factor to set it apart and make a publisher take a risk on it. Like I said, is what it is.

My biggest problem is I'm ambitious and driven, sometimes to a fault. I know I'm a good writer-- now, what does it take to be great?

(And y'all understand that here is one of the few places I feel secure enough to let loose with that sort of commentary-- that you guys will get what I mean and not think I'm a raging megalomaniac, right?)