When I started this blog it was with the intent of telling the world about my writing. Of course that's still an objective, but more importantly now I realize I have a lot more to say than just giving readers an update on my writing progress. You see one of the pitfalls writers face is the isolation demanded by this craft. When a writer opens the door to the world he or she is inhabiting for awhile–I write fiction–the only people around are those created by the writer. Unless the writer puts words into a character's mouth, nothing comes out. Since my mind drifts off sometimes into topics that have nothing to do with the 1800s where my current novel takes place, I feel like I'd like to express an opinion now and then. Right now it's about the plight of the children fleeing from Mexico, Honduras, and Guatemala. I don't have any solution to this dilemma, but living as I do in California, the flood of indigent people coming across the southern border is not new. It's easy to fault the Federal government for not imposing strict border control, but nothing that's been done so far really works, so I wonder what is going on in those countries people are so eager to leave? Seems to me like Cuba all over again where a politician like Fidel Castro purges the country of its poor to merely get rid of them. After all before all that Florida wasn't called Little Havana. Another observation, this one a little snarky, is that while Texas Governor Rick Perry prances around my state talking to companies about relocation with the promise of tax-free business deals, he diverts the tide of these youthful illegal immigrants right back to California when they could be the future workers for the companies he woos. Just saying.

More rejections and my printer died!

I remain optimistic as today I find yet another rejection letter tucked among the bills in my mailbox. This agent says she manages 82 authors! My gosh! I need to find someone whose list is shorter and might even like to represent my novel. Someone not so busy!
So, today, I have four brand new manuscript packages ready to mail for which my old Epson printer said "no!" Now, instead of heading for the post office with my hands full of manila envelopes, I'm driving to Staples to buy a printer that's happy to go to work each day.

Meanwhile, I entered a writing contest with a short story that made me smile when I wrote it. I am not optimistic about it's publication, but the entry fee was affordable, and I gotta keep going at this. A friend once said, "even a blind chicken gets a kernel of corn once in awhile". I rather like that. However, I think I'd better start scattering more corn around in the literary coop!

Ah, the writer's life!!

Help Japan's Earthquake Animal Rescue

Eleven Queries Sent, Five to Go

I may be the only one interested in getting my book published. Wait, I am! What a silly statement. Anyway, I have sent out 11 queries and there are five more on the original list. I think "Gone With The Wind" finally sold after 40 queries, but I don't have that patience. Or do I? If anyone out there knows an agent who would be willing to read my manuscript, please let me know?

Meanwhile, it's ballroom dance lesson night so I can work off the frustration in the rhumba!

Query Letters Started Today

Four query letters went out today. More to send, so I'm not holding my breath. Yet. After writing this story and taking five years to do it, in a way I'm sad to let it go. But, I have new characters pounding at my head fighting to see whose story is chosen for telling first. Now my brain must satisfy two masters: the business of selling the first novel, and the wonder of writing a second one. Or at least a juicy short story or two.

Meanwhile, life goes on. Transplants of jalapenos, tomatoes, and wax beans will go into their warm little beds on Friday. And if it doesn't rain Saturday, I'll be poking okra seeds into their comfy box and starting seeds of basil inside where I can heat them from the bottom.

Reading an unpublished short story to the writers group tonight. If they like it, I'll submit it to The Writer magazine. More on this.

Multi-Tasking is Overwhelming!

So, I'm in the first stages of marketing my new novel, Twenty-One Steps of Courage, even before it's published. Agent queries go out this week and although I'm excited about the story which I started in 2006, I can only hope an agent will find it's a good read, too. Check out my new website which supports the book: http://sarahbatesauthor.com. So many tasks on the marketing list. But that's not all. I have my tutoring gig at Palomar two days a week; great students, lots of fun for me. And, I'm trying to learn Italian in preparation for a two week vacation in May. Lucky us. Pizza, pasta, cafe latte? Vino? Thank goodness American English uses so many Italian words. I can also point out cars and busses in various colors. Hmmm, wonder if I will need that? Then, it is March, you know, and in California that means starting the vegetable garden; a hobby I love. I work out plots and story lines while pulling weeds and digging new holes for transplants. That's it for today. Onward!