The most recent 20 comments posted to Making Light by Tamara Siler Jones:

When I was in high school I was an athletic trainer and we used tampons a LOT for nosebleeds.

Never told the wrestlers or football players what they were though (can you imagine a 16 yr old boy letting a tampon be stuck up his nose?)

Interesting insight into the combat too. I think she's real.

I have a pretty strong stomach when faced with gruesome things, but some of the pics on that body modification risks link were quite disturbing.

Why in the world would anyone want to split the head of their penis in half??

shudder

I'd be lost without my internet "writer buddies". I bump into other writerly folks and people in the biz at conventions, but have zippo in my "real life". Only the hubby & kid, extended family, a couple non-writer friends and, of course, the cats.

The cats aren't much for conversation, but they do keep a lap warm. ;)

While writing is certainly a solitary activity, sometimes it's nice to talk shop without the muggles looking at you like you've lost a couple more widgets. That's the big reason I've started going to the cons: to meet others of my kind and commisserate over such fascinating topics as marketing strategies, plot dissections and where the cons suite ogres have hidden the black forest cake. ;)

While I read the article I shrugged at her misfortunes (yep, crappy promotion, lackluster sales, heard it a million times - yawn) but I nearly choked on the advances. Good golly, she's complaining about the money??

I recently sold my first novel and I couldn't be happier. My advance (befitting a genre newbie) was about what I expected. Although she would have surely wiped her nose with it I'm perfectly happy and I'll almost surely earn out. I love my agent, adore my editor, and so far both seem to be very happy with me.

But then again I don't whine. My main questions tend to be variations of "What can I do to help?" She mentioned talking to her editor on a daily basis. Gosh, didn't she ever let them WORK?? I don't bother mine unless I have a reason to and even then it's via email. She has enough on her plate without dealing with my insecurities, and has plenty of other writers to take care of. Same thing with my agent.

Maybe I'm weird but I don't want "mega bestseller" status. I just want to tell interesting stories. I want to enjoy what I do. I want to torture my characters and keep my readers turning the pages. If I strike it rich, so be it. If I don't, that's fine too.

Who with any sense gets into this for the money??

Mary Kay -

It's titled Ghosts in the Snow and will be out this November from Bantam Dell.

It's about a serial killer in a castle. Bloody, naughty and oh so fun ;)

Hey, I recently sold a forensic procedural (in a fantasy setting).

Does that put me ahead of or behind the curve? ;) lol

Theresa - this is a FABULOUS THREAD!! Should be required reading for all aspiring (and struggling) writers.

McDonald - While being coherant, grammatical and professional might not guarantee publication, it goes a LONG dang way.

Thanks to everyone for helping me get through my ucky day at work... :)

I've received a few rejections (from agents and publishers) and actually enjoyed receiving every one. Not once did I feel slighted or maligned, not once did I take it personal.

Rejections are all part of the process, afterall, and we're trying to sell a product. It's a business.

I guess some people forget that and get lost in the illusion.

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