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4) What do you like least about writing?

The self-doubt that comes as you wait for weeks and months — or longer — for a response to a manuscript submission. Publishing rarely happens like it’s portrayed in the movies or on TV.

• Found this NPR article about text messaging and how ridiculously expensive it can be. What a relief to know that I am not the only person in the universe who does not have text messaging enabled on my cell phone!
• Don’t think I’ll be going to see Land of the Lost. Apparently the TV show is more amusing.
• Reading The Tale of Despereaux. The book is way better than the movie so far. Don’t get me wrong; I liked the movie. But the movie is nothing like the book! Nothing!
• Agent Nathan Bransford has a great post on his blog about how not to use the word “blog.”
• And here’s a link to a story about the (gasp!) dark and dreary trend in YA fiction. Yawn. I’ve heard this song before. Like back in the 70s. And in the 80s. And in the 90s. And at least one other time during the early 21st century. I don’t think YA has changed, no sir I don’t. Dark and dreary has been around a long time, since the day Eve bit the apple. Dark and dreary serves a purpose. No conflict? No story. Don’t we feel so much better about our miserable lot when we read about someone — even a fictional someone — whose lot is worse than our own? And don’t we feel even better when that someone overcomes those insurmountable odds, thinking if she can do it, so can we?  The only way to experience and appreciate the exquisiteness of hope is to be caught in, and through the strength of our own will overcome, misery’s wretched grasp. Amen.

I went to the store today and bought fruit. Lots of fruit. Kiwis and nectarines, blueberries and strawberries, apples and bananas. Grapes, too — red seedless. I’m eating  a few as I type.

This fruit fest is yet another of my many attempts to eat dessert the way nature intended, rather than the manufactured stuff that tastes so good. It’s substituting no-fat, good-for-you, all-natural sweets for all those high-fat, high-chocolate, totally delish foods my tummy craves.

Have you ever considered that fruits have their own personalities? If you were a fruit, which one would you be?

Banana: Has a sunny yellow disposition, yet turns to mush quickly and depressions form easily. Known to be slippery — if it falls to the floor, it’ll take you down, too. 

Kiwi: A split personality (some say it’s like a strawberry, others liken it to a banana). A little green, but blends well with others, especially on a platter.

Blueberry: Fun-loving and bouncy. Likes to hang out in groups, especially where pancakes and muffins are involved.

Apple: Firm to the core. Can be a little tough on the outside. It may be hard to judge by its appearance – some are grainy, some are tart. Granny Smiths, especially, may be slightly old-fashioned.

Strawberry: Bright and sweet, but may appear seedy. Some are even hollow inside.  Always wears a cap. 

Grape: Hangs out in tight bunches. Rolls quickly and gets lost easily if separated from the group.

One thing they have in common?

They all taste even better when dipped in chocolate. Dark, dark chocolate.

Just read a summary of  the “QueryFail” day  two agents started on Twitter several days ago.

Now feeling very anxious. Maybe a writer should not read such things when she’s waiting for word on her latest submission.

The information is helpful. I need to know these things. Whenever agents can tell us how to do things better, we need to listen. So I’m not complaining.

It is, however, very easy to doubt yourself in this business. It’s easy to question whether you have the skill or the talent to get published. As time goes on, you begin to think the story you felt compelled to write really wasn’t much of a story after all. If it had been a good story, you’d have heard back sooner, right?

And maybe the hardest part of all is quashing the fear that, perhaps, you may not be as strong as those writers who kept working and didn’t give up.

During those times, all you can do is dig your claws in, hang on, and hope for the best.

And work on the next project.