Putting it Out There 4

Writing descriptions to query an editor or agent is as difficult, more perhaps as writing the work.  This trying to sell is giving me hell and making me dwell on what I might say instead of getting the work out.  enough!  It’s time to put something in the mail.  the second description is definitely better than the fifth which has been so scrubbed that it has shrunk to almost having no meaning and certainly no spark.

Today I sent in an essay, “Handling Rejection”, for the op-ed page of The Boston Globe.  I forgot to cross my fingers and say a prayer (reverse the order to this), but I did send it in.  Nothing succeeds but a try! 

I actually had an essay published in the Globe once – some years ago.  There was a column in the Living section as it was then called for readers to submit personal essays.  My essay was called, “Oh, To Sit on Mom’s Lap.”  I’d actually submitted it as “I Want my Mother’s Lap.”  In those days, the Globe was more homey and not the slick tome it is today.

I also submitted query letters to Essence and Ebony magazines for two essays I’ve written, “You Can’t Take Black Away from Me” and “Snap, Crackle, Pop.”    I have a whole lot of essays waiting in line to submit, including “Philanthropic Patty cake,” “I Hate Those Women,” and “The Right White Boy.”  If any of these titles are intriguing to you, I might put a bit of them up, if you ask me – nicely.

So, you know how yesterday, I wrote about starting out to write one thing and then another two or three things intrude?  This happened, again, this morning.  I’ve some images and phrases percolating in my head for a month or so for a children’s book that’s much different than the other children’s stories I’ve written.   Here’s a quick sample – warning, this is a bit icky.  “Snot lakes and booger trees, tumbleweeds made of hair.”  I don’t know where these images will take me but I’m gonna roll with them and see what I can make of it.

Later, gators!