The Squid and the Whale is more than just a story about divorce. It’s also about two married writers. The husband is resentful of his wife’s success. And the wife looks down at her husband because isn’t successful (at least that is the husband’s point of view).
I believe that if I was involved with a writer and he was more successful than me, I wouldn’t have a problem. My feeling is that most men would be uncomfortable if it were the other way around. I can type this with great certainty because most men I meet are competitive with me and we aren’t in the same profession.
Have you ever played a practical joke on anyone? If so, what did you do and who was your victim?
This is exactly how it went down. One night Bunny and I were bored. To alleviate the boredom, I suggested we drive through town and collect furniture that people outside of their homes. Once the furniture was collected, we dumped it all on our friend Debbie’s driveway. We then created signs that read “Garage Sale at (and we included her address).”The next morning, Debbie finds the furniture in her driveway and is obviously not very happy. While she was talking with her husband about who could have done this, people from the neighborhood began to arrive for the garage sale.
Because the joke was so perfectly planned, she knew I had something to do with it. So she took it all in stride. She sold what she could and left the rest for garbage pick up.
Soup
What do your salt and peppershakers look like?
My salt and pepper shakers come in little packets. Each are found at the bottom of my takeout bag.
Salad
Where is the next place you plan to visit (on vacation or business)?
Depends. California for business, unless my friend my Philly decides to get married on that weekend.
Main Course
What kind of lotion or cream do you use to keep your hands from getting too dry?
I don’t use lotion on my hands.
Dessert
Make up a dessert, tell us its ingredients, and give it a name.
Instead of making one up, here’s a real dessert recipe.
Coconut Spice Ice cream
1/4 cup sugar
2 cups coconut cream
1 cup sweetened condensed milk
1 1/2cup heavy cream
1/2 cup coconut (finely shredded)
1/4 cup coconut flavor Puerto Rican Rum (Capt. Morgan Parrot Bay)
1/4 teaspoon of nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
Mix sugar, 2 cups of coconut cream, add the sweetened condensed milk, heavy cream, shredded coconut, coconut flavor Puerto Rican rum add in the nutmeg and vanilla and cinnamon. Transfer the mixture to an ice cream maker. Freeze garnish with sprinkle of almonds mint leaf and stick of cinnamon.
Aaron over at Copious Notes blogged about the number of rejections John Grisham received before he landed an agent. This got me thinking about other authors and their journey. I found this website. It provides a list of successful authors and the number of rejections they received.
The quote that stood out for me was Judy Blume. Just about every girl loves Judy Blume. I was no exception. Here’s what Blume how to say regarding the number of rejections she received over a two-year span.: “I would go to sleep at night feeling that I’d never be published. But I’d wake up in the morning convinced I would be. Each time I sent a story or book off to a publisher, I would sit down and begin something new. I was learning more with each effort. I was determined. Determination and hard work are as important as talent.”
I relate to Blume’s quote because I’m convinced my books will find a home with a traditional publisher. This isn’t because I’m the best writer, with the best of ideas. I’m far from that. Believe me. In part, I believe my outlook is closely tied to the fact I run a business. For the past ten years I’ve heard “no” more times than I can count. In fact, every morning there is a “no” in my inbox. That’s how I start my day. With rejection. But no matter how many “nos” I receive, there are enough “yeses” in the mix that I can earn a living.
The word “no” doesn’t scare me. It doesn’t humble me. It doesn’t faze me.
Click HERE for more random thoughts about my writing
Linda: Can we talk?
Ex: No. It’s Monday. Monday’s are always stressful.
Tuesday
Linda: Can we talk?
Ex: No. I’m not over yesterday.
Wednesday
Linda: Can we talk?
Ex: The week is almost over. I’m settling down. Now isn’t the best time.
Thursday
Linda: Can we talk?
Ex: No. Tomorrow is Friday.
Friday
Linda: Can we talk?
Ex: No. Its Friday the weekend just started.
Saturday
Linda: Can we talk?
Ex: The weekend is almost over. Let’s not ruin it.
Sunday
Linda: Can we talk?
Ex: Sundays I mentally prepare for the workweek. Now isn’t a good time.
Click HERE for previous Conversation Thursday posts
What’s the heck is Conversation Thursday? Well, I’ve learned that I’m not a writer. I’m a dialoguist. I write dialogue first and then add the fixings. Every Thursday I post a conversation as a reminder of how people talk. It’s my hope that we learn the structure of believable dialogue and incorporate it in our storytelling. Submit your own conversations to auriacortes AT gmail DOT com and I’ll post it on this blog.
My good friend over at CelebratewithStyle inspired this post. Over the last two days she has posted information on balloon art. Check it out here and here.
Go ahead. Check. I’ll wait.
Thanks for returning, her website and blog are great, right? I’m a tomboy by nature, but I would definitely wear a balloon gown.
Okay back to the point of my post. I love creative people. Those who give an old idea a fresh twist. When it comes down to it, that’s what separates the wannabes from the professionals.
I read a tip, perhaps it was in Plot and Structure, that indicated that as writers we should avoid working on the first story idea that pops into our heads. Chances are that story has been done. It’s only when we dig a little deeper that we find the story we are meant to tell. (I’m paraphrasing)
Click HERE for more random thoughts about my writing
