1 September 2009

 I got the most amazing rejection letter yesterday.  It actually made me feel good.  I will copy it here so everyone can read it:

 Dear Elizabeth,

I enjoyed reading these pages of Syncopation.   You’ve chosen a good subject: a recognizable name who hasn’t been overdone and who has an intriguing back story.  There’s also some beautiful writing here.  I love the opening piece about the pulse of the universe.  You’re also trying some more unconventional devices with the names and the back-and-forth between time periods/narration.  I’m not sure these are entirely successful, but I may not be the best judge.  I tend to prefer more straightforward narrative.  The unconventional elements make this more appropriate for a more literary list than mine.

 I’ve enjoyed seeing your work.  I wish you the best of luck in finding a home for it.

 Sincerely,

[Editor’s name withheld]

 Isn’t that a great rejection?  Makes me feel so literary and hopeful!

4 August 2009

 I learned at the Historical Novels Conference this June that successful authors must have blogs.  I cringe a little at this idea, as I am fairly appalled at the amount of personal information published on the web.  It seems to me an intimation of bad taste.  Would Jane Austen blog to her readers, describing every detail of Harris Bigg-Wither’s marriage proposal?  Would she, in her next blog, explain that Bigg-Wither is, in truth, a cad whom she cannot possibly marry, with illustrations of his poor character?  I think not. 

 Nevertheless, I desperately want to be a successful author—the term “successful” here being defined as “published.”  So, here is my blog.  In entries to come, you will hear about my life as a writer and reader, and as a teacher of writing.  In proper good taste, you will learn little about my  arousing, arresting,  bracing,  electrifying, exhilarant, eye-popping, far-out,  hair-raising, heady, impelling,  racy, rip-roaring, rousing, spine-tingling, , titillating,  zestful, and oh-so-mysterious personal life. 

 (The author would like to thank thesaurus.com for sections of today’s blog.)