An offer of representation.

Let me see if my fingers will work well enough to type.  Hmmmm.  Looks like they will, with much usage of my backspace key.  (I'll have you know, it took me an hour to get to this point.) So, an agent called me on the phone.  And offered me representation!!!!!!!!  I, naturally, was an airhead and a half.  But OHMYGOD! CANYOUBELIEVEIT?  

I can't.  Not really.  Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

I have to start emailing other agents who have fulls to get the ball rolling and stuff.  Right?  Right.  It's just so hard.  To think.  To type! 

2009

I don't know why, but I am seriously having issues trying to make any kind of "Yay, it's 2009!" entry.  I've spent the past month or so reflecting on what went right and wrong for me during 2008 (mostly regarding my writing), and have considered what I want to do differently in 2009.  But the list itself isn't coming to me in the awe-inspiring form I was expecting. 

The only thing I'm for sure about at this point is that I have an agent-requested revision I'm going to work on during the month of January!!!!  I also want to aim to finish Kae's story this year and have it ready to query (if need be) by this time next year.  And I'd like to attend some of the monthly SCBWI meetings in Seattle, perhaps. 

On the exercise front (you didn't know there was an exercise front going on with me, did you?  That's because there hasn't been one for years!), I'll be attending water aerobics class once a week for at least ten weeks.  I know that only because I was forced to make the decision about it this week.  (My day job will reimburse for portions of certain fitness expenses, but only if the proper documentation is turned in by January 2nd.  Otherwise, one has to wait until July to start getting the benefit.  I know that if I have to wait until July, I'll never do anything.  So... I paid for it this week.)

And, for the resord, I ABSOLUTELY MUST CLEAN AND ORGANIZE MY HOME OFFICE.  It is a disasterous disaster and I've been putting off this horrendous project since the end of November.  (Well, before that, really.  But the end of November was when I decided it HAD to be attended to.)  I have until January 4th at bedtime to get this done. 

Well, this isn't the list I was hoping for, but it will do for now.  Happy New Year, everyone!

Anne Rice? Help!

My husband recently read all the books in the TWILIGHT series.  And liked them.  And then re-read the fourth one.  I was a tad disappointed that we didn't end up being on the same page (har har), but it was cool that he was reading a lot instead of watching so much TV.  Since his birthday is coming up in a few weeks, I'm trying to think of something new to get for him to read. 

He isn't a big reader and, in fact, didn't start reading novels until we got together ten years ago.  He seems to like series best, but he'll read stand alones, too, sometimes.  The fiction he's been into the most over the years have been the Harry Potter series, Melanie Rawn's Dragon Prince and Dragon Star trilogies, Clive Cussler's Dirk Pitt novels, and James Patterson's Alex Cross novels.  He's also recently read the first two John Green novels and THE CATCHER IN THE RYE.

He isn't picky about good writing per se; he is mostly interested in the storytelling aspect.  So, I've been considering buying him some Anne Rice books.  Amazon has The Complete Vampire Chronicles which includes INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE, THE VAMPIRE LESTAT, QUEEN OF THE DAMNED, and THE TALE OF THE BODY THIEF.  

I've never read Anne Rice (and I don't intend to), but from what I've heard of them I think my husband might like them. 

Maybe?  Am I right?  Thoughts?

An exciting first!

I just received this email in regards to the full ms that I sent out last week:

Hi Mindi,

Thanks for your note. [Agent] has now also finished reading Scratching at the 8 Ball, and she liked it very much as well. In a case of bad timing, she is going to be away for most of January, but in the mean time, I would be happy to share some of our comments with you if you are amenable to doing a little revision, and [Agent] would be happy to read a new version upon her return. We both loved the Seth’s voice, and voice is one of the most important aspects of any novel, YA or adult, so well done!

 Best,

 [Assistant to Agent]

This is definitely some of my quickest response time in dealing with any agent.  And it is my first ever revision request! 

Well, that's just cruel!

I got a response from one of the agents I queried this week.  The subject line was the word "Representation."  (Actually, that was the name in the "From" line, but I didn't notice that distinction at first glance.)

Okay, so I knew I'd only sent a query and it was therefore impossible that anyone would be offering representation based on that.  But it still made my heart beat a little faster. 

The body of the email said this: 

Dear Ms. Scott:

Thank you for writing to inquire about my interest in representing your

project, /Scratching at the 8-Ball/. Unfortunately, I must decline because I cannot take on the work of additional clients at this point.

My best wishes as you seek publication.  Sincerely,  [Agent]

Oops!