Sunday, January 08, 2006

Poor Woman's Maureen Dowd*

My Dear Friends,

Today I ready copies of my manuscript "What Killed Frizzy" to send out tomorrow (missed the .37 cent mailing). At long last, I finish something, put it in a bottle, and send it to sea. The thing is, I like this manuscript. It seems fresh and original. My 22 year old son sits in an easy chair and reads the whole thing today -- a high compliment, as he's not fond of reading -- and says, "it could be longer."

The story incorporates some of my new words (schmarmy and bureaucratina, the feminine of bureaucrat). The truly, truly odd thing is that I don't seem to care if anyone else likes it. I think it's good. What a momentous event. I have been overwhelmed by the simple tasks of marketing, copying, revising, addressing, and now I have gone and done it. It is truly a red letter day.

Yesterday I mentioned that I want my writing to traffic in emotional truth. I now need to work on what I mean by that. I am interested in love, death, sacrifice, and responsibility. You know, the everyday stuff of life. I love the comments you leave for me, so heartfelt and honest. These are not the themes of an 800 word column. Hence, I'm a "poor woman's Maureen Dowd."

*Thanks to SR for the title of my entry.

Tomorrow, I'll try to give you an out-take from Frizzy.

Later,
Beth

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hurrah! Congrats, girl--so psyched for you! Whoo-hoo!! (...and I'm not quite sure that's spelled right!) ;)
Paula
http://journals.aol.com/paulajlambert/PaulaLambert-Author/entries/835

Anonymous said...

Doggone it! That was supposed to be cute! I meant to say "and I'm NOW quite sure that's spelled right!" re relevant entry in my blog...
*sigh*
Paula

Anonymous said...

Congratulations, Beth!! Can't wait to read the excerpt(s). Knowing that you are happy with it must be so satisfying. Keep us posted on its reception!

Vicky
http://www.livejournal.com/users/vxv789/

Theresa Williams said...

Beth, this is so wonderful. When you say that you don't care if anyone else likes it, that YOU like it, I so totally understand what you mean. You are saying that you know, in your heart, it is good. It says the truth. Therefore, what else matters? You have truly "arrived." I remember the first time I had this revelation myself: this "knowing" that something I'd written was on target. I'm so glad this has happened for you. Keep going.