A rejection is nothing more than a necessary step in the pursuit of success. - Bo Bennett

I received the nicest agent rejection e-mail/letter ever.
I can't even be depressed about it. (I tried-you know because I'm a writer)
In fact, when ever I start ranting how much I suck at writing, I'll pop up the e-mail to remind myself that I'm not wasting my time.

Here is a portion of the agent's email:

'You have a great imagination - I love the premise - and you're a good writer, but I'm sad to say that I just wasn't passionate enough about this to ask to see more. I wish I could offer constructive suggestions, but I thought the dialogue was fine, the characters well-crafted, and the plot well-conceived. I think it's the kind of thing that really is subjective - why some people adore the book on the top of the NYTimes bestseller list, and others don't.Just to reiterate, another agent and publisher will probably feel differently. I certainly encourage you to continue to seek representation elsewhere.'

See what I mean? No reason to wallow. Almost a reason to celebrate. Almost. But it is a reason to keep writing and keep submitting.

And I'm still waiting to hear from HQ on Playing For Keeps.

In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage. - John Steinbeck

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9aRxZDKTo1s

John Steinbeck is one of my favorite authors and was happy to find the above youtube clip on Mike Geffner blog http://mikeswritingworkshop.blogspot.com/

Check out the clip and Mike's Blog.

What is your favorite JS novel?

Mine is:

I only use my sick days for hang-overs and soap opera weddings. - Kate O'Brien

O dear me, I'm hooked on a Korean soap opera called The Road Home. It's fasinating!

This is the synopsis from http://www.korean-drama-guide.com/

Family is the ultimate hope and the fortress that keeps us up.
"The Road Home" talks about families of nowadays; the disbanded family relationships of the current time. People often say "I am happy for my family", but we no longer find much meaning from these words, as we did in the past. Even though many families are now separated into nuclear families, "family" has its root in the large family structure. This drama is about a journey; the journey of a nuclear family changing back to a large family. While talking about families of these days, "The Road Home" also questions about the true meaning of happiness.

My favorite story line is the young twenty something Korean female dating a Japanese male model. The parent do not approve because he is a foreigner and model who kisses girls in videos. Oh the DRAMA! I LOVE IT!!!!

My guilty pleasure of the summer. But then again it's a good study of facial expressions and emotions shown through acting since even though there are English subtitles, the actors actions are helping you interpret. Very helpful for a writer. So, I'm studying for my craft.

Oh yeah, I can make an arguement for anything.

How about you? Any guilty pleasures?

"What is a friend? I will tell you...it is someone with whom you dare to be yourself." Frank Crane

This is a shout out to one of my writing friends, Kimberly Frost. We met at the New England Romance Writers Conference about 3 years ago. We sat at the same table and became fast friends. She has since been published and now with her second book coming out, I'm so happy for her and.....

To celebrate the upcoming release of her second novel in the Southern Witch series, Kimberly Frost is hosting a book giveaway called PARAPALOOZA. For seven days, Kimberly will giving away books from her series as well as those by other wonderful paranormal authors (including Rita-nominated and Rita-winning books). To join the fun, visit: http://www.frostfiction.blogspot.com/

Review: Inglourious Basterds

"If you ever wanna eat a Sauerkraut sandwich again take your Wiener Schnitzel lickin' finger and point out on this map what I wanna know." from Brad Pitt's character, Aldo Raine.

If Brad Pitt and his motely crew showed up in the movie more and if it was shorter by a half-hour, I would've given the movie 4.5 stars . And it's not because I'm in love with Brad Pitt (I'm more of a Keanu Reeves type of girl) but because he and his outfit stole the movie. Okay, so I looked away during the scalping scenes (ewwww...gross).

There were parts of the movie where I laughed and the audience didn't. I either have a strange sense of humor or the audience just didn't get it. Like the above quote said in Pitt's Tennesse Twang and the following "You probably heard we ain't in the prisoner-takin' business; we in the killin' Nazi business. And cousin, Business is a-boomin'.

No reaction from the audience. Me? I'm cracking up. So is my husband. (probably why we've be married 24 years)

Verdict: If you are Tarantino fan (which I am) or you think you'd like a spagettii western set in WW2 (the music is such a throwback) or you want to see Brad Pitt and Eli Roth incredible performances then go see it.

I give it 4 stars.

Check out my short story - Mother of the Year

http://www.longandshortreviews.com/LASR/story.htm
Click on the link and it will take you to my short story Mother of the Year

I got the idea from the many times over the years of saying "There goes my Mom of the Year Award" but at least I never lost my son in a crowd like my heroine does!

You must stay drunk on writing so reality cannot destroy you. ~Ray Bradbury

Got my copy of the new Writer's Digest in mail and devoured it in one sitting.

The Art of Entitlement - 7 Tips to Nail the Perfect Title by Jacob M Appel
Tip#4 - Include precise nouns and active verb - for example Appel uses Eugene O'Neils - Desire Under the Elms is more compelling than Love Under the Trees.

While the rest of the article was just as helpful, I've heard publishers usually end up changing your title - so don't get married to it.

How do I come up with my titles?
Well, In Playing For Keeps (still waiting to hear from HQ Blaze) the hero is a pro athlete who has always played for keeps on the field and now he's taking that mentality off the field to win the love of the heroine.

In my latest WIP, Love By Design, which is about a design show on HGTV and the co-hosts fall in love hence Love By Design.

Some other titles for my other works (some completed/some not - novel/short stories)
Annie Get Your Pitchfork
Eight Ball Lover
Scent
Stars and Stripes
The Biggest Loser
Mother Of the Year (a short story - which will be published on-line by LASR on Thursday)

I'll make sure to post the link.

In summer, the song sings itself. ~William Carlos Williams

One of the best parts of summer is the music playing on the radio. Here is a youtube video of my favorite for this summer.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eoaTl7IcFs8

Do you have a favorite song for the Summer of 2009?

The wastebasket is a writer's best friend. ~Isaac Bashevis Singer

So let's save another word today (from the website savethewords.org) - my humantarian efforts know no bounds....

misqueme - to displease

I'm misquemed over the current state of politics in the country.

On a personal note - Tonight I'll be attending the American Idol concert in New Jersey with a bunch of friends from high school. Our 30 year reunion is in 2 years so the fact that we still hang out occassionally is cool.

The essential question is not, "How busy are you?" but "What are you busy at?" "Are you doing what fulfills you?"-Oprah Winfrey

Been so busy, but in the past week I've written ten pages of my current work in progress and read 5 chapters of research for my next project! Plus put in a 40 hour work week, volunteered at the Bethel-Wood Musuem (Woodstock) for 5 hours, and went to my Tuesday night critique group - whew!!!

Actually I put in a 39 hour work week. I left early on Thursday so I could catch some sunshine at the pool. I was getting cranky.

This week promises to be just as busy, but a good busy. After work tomorrow I'm meeting some writing friends (shout out to Yo, Allison, and Marianne) at Borders to chat and yes, as always ice coffee!!!! Off on Wednesday to spend some time with my friend Marla. Crossing fingers for the beach. Thursday off again, this time with my sister, crossing fingers for the beach. Friday work. Sat - volunteer and Sunday the American Idol Concert (don't judge me).

Thank goodness starting next Monday I'm on vacation!