The problem is it's too early for Christmas/December/winter. It was such a long, hot summer, I haven't really accepted autumn yet (fall, for my American friends).
On Facebook the other day, I mentioned Boney M, and several people said they'd never heard of them. So, here there are, in all their Christmas cheesiness...
In other news, I finished my novel. A couple of people are reading it at the moment - so I have my fingers crossed. I'm hoping to submit it to an agent - yes, I actually wrote a proper novel that an agent might consider. This is huge for me, seeing as though I have a habit of taking novel length manuscripts and cutting them down to novellas.
I'm also considering re-writing my 1998 novel Pictures, Fading. Note the use of the comma - I did that way before Love, Actually and Girl, Interrupted ;-) Hubby read it, many years ago, and has several hundred ideas on how to improve it - I still have the email! Although if I implement all the ideas, I'm sure he'd want double billing!
I got a rejection last month. I've always referred to this particular book as the most depressing novel in the world... ever, so I guess I shouldn't have been surprised that their reason was it is 'relentlessly bleak'. I'd spent time re-writing it, taking out the most depressing parts, and yet it still, apparently, is. Ah well. I still stand by the story, so obviously that publisher just wasn't a good fit. Back to the drawing board.
That's all my news, but I'm racking my brains to come up with something positive to end on. Oh, yes - my shifts at work are changing (again) which means I'll now have a whole Tuesday and Wednesday once a fortnight where I won't have to leave the house at all. Now that's what I call a pyjama day :-) Is that the kind of thing you were expecting?
The video is a little cheesy, but I love the song. It's very upbeat.
ReplyDeleteI've been off my Christmas game too. So much to do,
Congrats on finishing another novel- best of luck with it!! As for the rejection, well that's just what we writers live for, right?
Rejections? We love 'em :-)
DeleteHope they like your novel.
ReplyDeleteI'm ready for Christmas. Our summer wasn't as hot as usual though. Not complaining.
Thanks Alex :-)
DeleteTwo weeks until Christmas. We have been gray and dreary here in Texas, so the pops of reds and greens and festive lights are welcome. You've had a great year, and sounds like 2015 shall be exciting too. I've been on a rejection kick lately - oh well. Some people just don't feel the genius - that's OUR story and we're sticking to it. Chocolate, cocoa, and cheesy Christmas music - you'll get the spirit.
ReplyDeleteOur genius will definitely be discovered soon, Joanne. I've sorted the chocolate, the cocoa, the music, the decorations... and I'm almost there :-)
DeleteI grew up listening to Boney M. It isn't Christmas if Boney M is blaring away on the cd player. Congratulations on finishing your novel. Don't worry about getting rejections. You just have to find that one publisher that will like your story and you absolutely can. You are that awesome.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kinds words on my blog. I hope you and your family have a great Christmas.
My parents had/have the Night Flight to Venus album - I have fond memories of dancing around the house with my sister when we were very young :-)
DeleteYes, this year we went from winter to summer then back to winter with not spring for fall in-between. Last year I wasn't really feeling Christmas, but this year I'm excited. I hope you find the Christmas spirit soon. :)
ReplyDeleteAnd congratulations on finishing your novel! I wish you all the best with it! :)
Thanks Chrys. The seasons have been strange all over the world this year - our forecast is very cold and icy over the next month or so. I'm not looking forward to that :-(
DeleteWinter always catches me off guard. I usually still think it's summer until it starts snowing. Congrats on finishing your novel!
ReplyDeleteIt's that first morning when you throw on a t-shirt, then realise you need another layer... Bad times!
DeleteAh yes, Boney M, love it.Hope the readers love your new novel too.
ReplyDeletePJ days, fit for writing, seem like a brilliant celebration to me.
Good luck with the Christmas preps, hoping I'll feel more Christmassy this weekend when daughter comes home from Uni for a couple of week.
Thanks Suzanne, I hope they do too :-) Have a lovely time with your daughter.
DeleteHi Annalisa .. Boney M is always good at Christmas ... as long as the replays aren't around too often!
ReplyDeleteChristmas .. I'm vaguely organised, but don't do much as I go to my brother's .. decorating the flat - well that's another story ...
Sorry about the bleak story .. but well done on the new novel .. and next year the year of good things - cheers Hilary
Going to family at Christmas is what the day is all about. Have a lovely time.
DeleteWith all the hoopla and ads, etc, I feel like Christmas should be here already, but it's still almost two weeks away! I almost feel Christmas-ed out...but not quite.
ReplyDeleteWell done on the new novel!
Those ads always start far too early, don't they?
DeleteI love Boney M! My neighbors would play the album all the time around the holidays. Feliz Navidad is the most Christmasy song of all time for me! Hope some cheer hits. I'm feeling the blah today myself. I wish I could stay in pajamas all day!
ReplyDeleteI'm starting to feel better now, as the school term comes to an end and the fun stuff is starting. I hope you're feeling better again now too :-)
DeleteCongratulations on typing The End! Very satisfying, isn't it? As for the rejection -- you are right. That publisher isn't a good fit. But I've read quite a few bleak books, so maybe you just need to look elsewhere.
ReplyDeleteChristmas decorations aren't going up until the last minute at my house this year, and they are coming down as soon as possible. We have a new kitten ... and there's a limit to how many things I want broken ...
Good luck with the kitten. This is our puppy's first Christmas, but so far he's been pretty restrained. The three Wise Men we have on the hearth have borne the brunt of his curiosity.
DeleteLovely music - I like cheesy sometimes! Didn't they do "Brown girl in the ring"? Happy Christmas, friend X
ReplyDeleteYes, they did sing 'Brown girl in the ring'. Rasputin was another of their very famous songs too. Merry Christmas to you too, Lizy x
DeleteRelentlessly bleak? That could be a compliment, though--especially considering you were intentionally depressing with it!
ReplyDeleteI wasn't intentionally depressing, as such, but I had a story that I didn't shy away from. I had hoped the humanity would shine through, especially at the end. Still, enough of that... I really am over it :-)
Deleteah man! I hear ya about the long summer. I felt like this whole season has been totally rushed that I haven't gotten to relax and enjoy it :( hope all your writing adventures go amazing!!
ReplyDeleteHope you're relaxing and enjoying now, Tammy :-)
DeleteHi Annalisa,
ReplyDeleteBlink and I might be gone. Yes, I'm terrible at commenting these days. I'm going to blame, among other things, an incredibly slow computer. Must buy a new computer!
You finished your novel. That's very positive. A lot of folks who wanted to write a novel, never get around to it. Thus, well done.
As for Boney M, here's a true story. One of my cousins had one of the ladies from Boney M as a bridesmaid at her wedding.
Gary :)
It's good to see you, whenever you manage to pop around, Gary! Your cousin had a pretty cool bridesmaid :-)
DeleteRejections stink. I've actually been thinking about jumping out of the querying game. It takes so much time, and I'm not sure I have time to write novels and query them at the same time. I suspect it's the full time job with the hard hours talking, but querying takes forever.On a more positive note, I tagged you on my blog with Liebster award!
ReplyDeleteIt's a juggle, but I could never stop querying - my long-term goal depends upon it! But, yes, fitting writing into an already busy day will always be hard. Even some well-known authors end up on writing at the weekends or holidays!
DeleteThanks for the award - I'll pop over and check it out now :-)