Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Wednesday's Wandering: What Do You Celebrate?

True to form, I'm running behind in my posts. Let's see, I tried to come up with an excuse, but couldn't find any that sounded legitimate, so let's try this one :

I'm going to a conference this weekend, and I've been trying to finish an article to submit next week, write a synopsis of the 60,000 word historical novel I would like to find an agent for, and making up new business cards because I waited too long to have them made for me.  Will that do??

Hmm.  Well, okay, let's get to the business at hand!


What do you celebrate? I mean, besides the usual birthdays and anniversaries. Last week I celebrated the fact that my husband, who has been very ill, is now well on his way to recovery. I know this to be true because he's now getting grouchy, can't stand to "take it easy," so that's a sure sign of wellness! I celebrated by going to Starbucks and getting us both a Grande Caramel Frappachino with extra caramel LOL.


Sunday we both celebrated the 10th anniversary of 9/11. Now, don't get upset. You probably think "celebrate" is exactly the wrong word to use. We lost friends that day, friends who were visiting the Towers when the planes hit. We have grieved over their deaths long enough. Sunday we celebrated their lives, who they were, the kind of people they were, what they stood for, the strength, love, dedication to their family... all of the good qualities they had, and there were many. This is what we celebrated.  We raised a toast ( okay, it was coffee, but still...) not to their deaths, but to their lives.  We are bound to the thousands of friends and families of those who died that day, but for us, it was time to gently lay aside our personal grief and remember the good, instead of focusing on the bad.

Yesterday I celebrated an agent's rejection! When I opened my email yesterday morning, and found a post from her, I was so excited! Then I read it, and my excitement deflated faster than a balloon with a hole in it. I was so disappointed, as she was someone I really wanted to connect with.


Then I read her post again, and thought...WOW! It was personal, addressed to "Dear Mikki." In it, she said that she liked my story ( it was my historical novel) but didn't "fall in love" with it, so she was passing on it. She went on to say not to give up, that what one agent didn't love another one would. Keep writing!


Now, I don't know about you, but to me that rejection was something to keep, and something to celebrate! How many times do we get a really personal rejection? How many times do we get a cold form rejection? How many times do we not get anything at all, and after months of waiting, have to assume we've been passed by?


Yes, this was my very first personal rejection. NOT my first rejection by any means, but the first really personal one. So I am celebrating it! I'm telling everyone I know all about it, even those friends and family members who look at me strangely and wonder if maybe I've lost a few marbles.  Okay, I know no one but my writer friends will understand, but that's all right, it still doesn't put a damper on my celebration.


What will I celebrate today? Perhaps getting my new business cards made up... if I do. Or finishing that synopsis to take along to the conference... if I can finish it so that it makes sense. Or who knows? Hopefully, I WILL have something to celebrate today, even if it is just some small accomplishment that doesn't mean anything to anyone but me.


What do you celebrate? Think about it. Let me know.


Until next time,
That's a wrap.

5 comments:

  1. What do I celebrate? Life, love and friendships. Getting rejections, sending a manuscript out to an editor. The love of a God who is so strong, He can carry us through even when we have to endure tragedy and heartbreak of things like 9/11.

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  2. Sounds like a lot of lovely things to celebrate. Tonight I am celebrating the nibble I got from an editor!

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  3. Congrats on the personal rejection. I celebrate those, too. In fact, I celebrate just about everything. Having a good word count day, finishing a story, getting an idea for a new story... Yeah, I like to celebrate.

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  4. Right now, I'm just celebrating the weekend. I've been having a bit of an off-week, so just the thought of no work is something to be happy about.

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  5. Terrie: if it were not for family, friends, and our relationship with God, there really wouldn't be anything to celebrate, right? Those are pretty important.

    Katie: Yes! Celebrate that nibble! Fingers are crossed for it to turn into a real bite!

    Kelly: You have a LOT to celebrate! Seven PBs in the next 2 years? Woohoo!

    Cat: Sorry about your week, I know about those. Hope your weekend is great to make up for it!

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