Friday 1 January 2010

Just the way I am

Those of you that followed this blog in 2007 will know that I went through a dark period which thankfully I got through. 2008 was better but had it's dodgy patches for different not half so important reasons. 2009 was better still and I am feeling optimistic about 2010, but then I am one of life's eternal optimists and my glass is always half full. It's an attitude that's got me kicked in the teeth on more than one occasion but it's just the way that I am.
I only had 4 short stories published in 2009 so there's room for improvement there. I am however acutely aware that it's getting harder for us all to get work accepted and that I had 4 bits more than some people and I am very grateful for that. I still have 8 stories out there though so there's still hope for them giving me a good start to 2010 (told you I was an eternal optimist.)
On a different note I am finally going to bite the bullet and send BTL out to agents. It'll never get anywhere sitting in a metaphoric drawer.
Some of you may have read here the other day that I was mothballing NRIMH (my 2nd attempt at a novel) and I'm sticking to that but I am very excited about another project (NMBK.) Can someone who is better at grammar please tell me where a full stop is supposed to go when it's next to a )?
Anyway, we had snow again overnight which meant another walk in it this morning with my beloved Zachary. Isn't he cute?
Two cups of tea later I can now feel all of my extremities again and its time to get to work.
Here's to a great 2010 everyone.

7 comments:

HelenMWalters said...

Having 4 short stories published is brilliant. As you said, it's getting harder and harder to get short stories published at all, so that's excellent.

Good luck with all your writing endeavours this year.

Colette McCormick said...

Cheers Helen.
x

Amanda said...

I echo Helen's words that 4 stories published is brilliant!

Good luck with sending out your novel to agents - I've go everything crossed for you! x

Colette McCormick said...

Oh thanks Amanda. I know that 4 stories is good and I am happy with it but you know what it's like you always want more.
It's a bit scary sending books to agents? I mean how do you read the signs? If they write back within a few days and say "No thanks" you know where you are but what if they hang onto it for a while? Do you take it as a sign that they're thinking about it or assume that they're on holiday. I'll worry about what it means if they ask to see more when that happens.

Suzanne Ross Jones said...

I agree with Helen and Amanda - four published short stories is brilliant.

All the best for 2010.

Flowerpot said...

Sounds like you've made terrific progress Colette - onwards and upwards! And yes, Zachary is gorgeous!

Colette McCormick said...

Thanks Suzanne. Here's hoping 2010 is a good one.
I'm glad you agree with me about Zachary Flowerpot. He's currently got his head on my feet snoring his head off.