Huh?

Got this spam email today...

so you look to Design

Hallo. What's up? Email me at (random email) only. I am pretty girl.
 Would you mind me showing some nice pictures of me?
"I hope it will have some effect," you have spoken  the report says. to
 advice relating

Um....K?

Hopeful.

So, for those of you that don't know, I am in the process of writing a book. (Well, 2 books...if you want to be technical. I needed a break from the first, and had a story in my head, so I started another one.)

Anyhow, as I was writing the 1st (which is very nearly finished), I started the whole "what do I do to publish this thing?" search. I decided to go the agent angle, because the major publishing houses do NOT accept un-agented material. So, I went about submitting query letters to agents all over the place.

Everything I've read and looked into says that it's harder to get an agent then it is to get published. They are not willing to take you on unless you can make them some money... understandably.

So, from what I can tell...the process is this:

Submit a query letter. If they are interested, they'll ask for sample chapters, and possibly a synopsis. 95% of manuscripts do not get past the query letter process.

Send the sample chapters. The agent will read them and hopefully ask for the full manuscript. If they ask for the full manuscript, there's a REALLY good chance that they'll take you on as a client. It's nearly impossible to get to this stage. Like 99.9% of manuscripts get rejected after the sample/synopsis is sent in.

Okay, so in my process, I got lots of requests to see samples...and a few "no thanks" after the original query letter. The ones I sent samples in to, I either never heard back from or got polite "it's good, but not what we're looking for" form letters. Whatever....I wasn't expecting anything major...this was my first major attempt at doing something with my writing.

Then I got a request for more material from an agency in NY. It's a HUGE agency...represents John Irving (Cider House Rules) and Dick Francis, as well as a lot of other names. They used to represent Kesey before he died. Basically, a lots of clout agency. So, after I started breathing again, I sent her a synopsis and some sample chapters. I was not expecting to hear anything more from her.

So, fast forward to this weekend...and about a month after I sent her the sample.

I get an email from her telling me that she really likes my writing, and told me to fix a few things and send her the full manuscript. (!!!!!) She said that she would wait for it to be fixed. So, yeah...I've been killing myself with late nights trying to get this thing perfect...so, if you don't see me around here for a while, you know why.

Anyhow, here's the deal. She could've just said no, right? The fact that she's willing to wait for me to make revisions, and did not give me a time frame that I HAD to get it back to her is good, right? I mean, she must think it has potential if she's willing to wait, right?

Help me out here. I'm not sure what to think. I mean, should I get my hopes up...seeing as how it's nearly impossible to get to this step in the process...or is this fairly common?

Does anyone know?

Elvis.

Last night, Arianna was talking about how she had a flea on her earlier in the day.

She said "Yeah, it was like I had a mini Elvis in my pants!"

Martin and I went completely still, and looked at each other...unsure of how to react to that statement coming out of a 7 year old's mouth.

So, Martin slowly asks her..."Um, what's a mini Elvis?"

And she looks at him like he's an idiot, and says:

"Something little that hops around..."

Interview.

My blog buddy, Jessie posted an interview a fellow blogger had given her, and then asked if anyone wanted her to think of some questions for them.

Sure, why not? At least it will give me something to post.

So, here are her questions:


1. When did you realize that (your parent's religion) was a cult, and how exactly did you break away from it? (changed the question up a bit, because I don't need search engine warfare from people that are still in the religion.)

Um, actually...I don't think I ever believed in it. I went along with it all, because it's what everyone expected of me, and I didn't want to disappoint people. But, my heart was never in it. I let my family and my friend's feelings and ideas dictate what I did until I couldn't take it anymore, and I had to get out.

I had a boyfriend that wasn't in the church, and I moved out with him when I was 19. It was a horrible relationship, and a total mistake, but the one good thing that came out of it was that it got me AWAY...and I could finally figure out what I wanted away from everyone's influence falling so heavily on me, and the guilt they threw on me...causing me to make the choices they wanted.

I lost everyone that was important to me with that decision...all my family was in the religion, and 99% of my friends, as well. They were all instructed to never speak to me...to never act like I existed if they saw me on the street. It was hell for a couple of years...I moved away shortly after, so I wouldn't have to deal with it. But, eventually, I just accepted it. I mean, there's still a part of me that misses my family...how they used to treat me...because it's COMPLETELY different now. They talk to me again (although they're not supposed to) but only because of my kids. They talk to me as if I'm just an acquaintance. I'm never invited over, I'm never talked to socially by the people who created me...by my brothers, who I loved completely, and by my nieces and nephews, who I basically helped raise.

It's a sore subject, sometimes.

But, it's been over a decade since I've left, and the funny thing is, my closest friends...the ones I missed the most...they have all now left the religion, and we are all back to being friends like nothing happened. I understand why they disowned me for that period of time...I can't blame them for the decisions they made...because unless you're in that life...you can't understand the IMMENSE pressure that is on you to be perfect, and do what everyone expects of you, for fear of losing everything. But, now they're back in my life, away from all that pressure.

And I'm really glad.


2. All time favorite band: name it

This is hard, because I love SO much music. But, my favorite band is probably Depeche Mode. I can remember listening to them when I was in 1st grade...taping (yes, taping) their songs off the radio, so I could listen to them later.

I've been to countless of their concerts, and even though I don't listen to them ALL that often, I'm still a huge fan. Still one of the faithful.


3. Were you as much into writing before you started blogging, or did the inspiration come when people began to read and like you here on the interwebs?

I've always written, for as long as I can remember. But, it's partially genetic, because both my parents are writers. My dad is more of an artist, and I got that from him, too...but, he's always written stories...humorous little things for me when I was a kid, or sarcastic stuff for grown ups. My mom is the novel writer...and has written over a dozen, at least. (She refuses to publish, though.)

The blog thing is just because it is kind of like a journal, and I had always kept one of those. My writing is my writing, and an entirely different thing, altogether. I don't write like I do on my blog...but, you should know that, Jessie. :)


4. Secret talent? Special powers?

Um, I kick ass at general knowledge trivia? Seriously, people refuse to play Trivial Pursuit or like Jeopardy type games with me. I guess I have the crazy ability to store useless information in my brain. Not really useful, except when you want to sound smart. :)

Powers? No. I can think of a few I want, though.

5. Did you plan on the mommy thing from an earlier age or did it just sort of happen?

Just sort of happened, definitely.

MSG Free!

I got a new job!

I start Monday! No more crazy, rude Chinese bosses!

Now I just have to quit. Ha.

I'm supposed to work tomorrow and Sunday. I'm thinking of taking a 4 day weekend before the new job. Thoughts?

The only bad thing is that I will have NO internet access at the new job. None. I will be cut off from the world for 8 hours a day.

Poo.

Sanity.

I've become addicted to the soundtrack to "300".

I seriously can't get enough of it.

Maybe it's the mood I've been in...

At any rate, I think I've finally started writing again. I got in a state of mind where everything creative was getting zapped out of me before I could do anything about it. Which was slightly scary, because writing has ALWAYS been the one sure fire way I had to make myself sane, and for some reason I lost it for a while there.

I hope it's back.

I think I need a new job.

Or, better yet...I need to become independently wealthy.

I like option #2 better.

New Hobby

My friend Jason has been teaching me to tattoo. He's been the one doing mine, and he knew that I can draw, so he asked if I wanted to learn.

Hell yeah!

So, his wife graciously allowed me to use her leg as a test subject. She wanted leaves, and she didn't want them to be perfectly symmetrical, or anything like that....so, she told me to go ahead and practice on her.

Done!

Go to my flickr page to check them out...they're the 4 pictures of leaves on the very top. I know they're not perfect, but it was my first attempt...and I have to say that tattoo guns are an ENTIRELY different medium to work with, and skin is kind-of a pain in the ass.

But, it's totally fun, and I'm going to keep at it until I get really good.

Write.

New Tattoo.



It's right below my neck, and translates to "Write."

It's the first tattoo I have that actually has a deeper meaning...the rest are just because I liked them. 2 are a shout out to my Irish heritage (shamrock and a Celtic knot)...but, this is the first one that really meant anything.

So, now I have TECHNICALLY Eleven tattoos...only six of those eleven count as one, because they all go together. So, I guess I have 5, if you're being picky.

I really gotta stop...this is like an addiction...

Remember.

This links to my OLD, Typepad Blog...but, I thought I'd repost the 2,996 project thing I did last year.

Don't ever forget the people who died 6 years ago, today...

Remember.

Ten.

It's been a while since I've done a meme, and this is blogger, so it's more annoying than Typepad...in that I can't do an extended entry...but, whatever. I'm bored, and tired of only posting once a week, or so.

TEN FACTS
1.Name- Adena
2.Birth place- Portland
3. Hair Color- Red, normally. Currently a dark shade of Kool-Aid.
4. Hair style- longish and curly
5. Eye color- Sometimes Green, sometimes blue, sometimes gray...sometimes a combo of the 3.
6. Birthday- June 27
7. Mood- Dark.
9. Where do you live? Oregon
10. Lefty / righty? Righty...but, I think like a lefty.

TEN THINGS ABOUT YOUR LOVE LIFE
1. Have you ever been in love? Yes
2. Do you believe in love at first sight? Dunno...not going to discount it, but it hasn't happened to me.
3. Why did your last relationship fail? Psychotic Asshole?
4. Have you ever been hurt emotionally? Waaay too many times to count.
5. Have you ever broken someone's heart? Yes...but it was necessary.
7. Have you ever liked someone but never told them? That's my M.O.
8. Are you afraid of commitment? No.
9. Have you hugged someone within the last week? Yes
10. Have you ever had a secret admirer? Well, if it's secret, how the hell would I know??

TEN THIS OR THAT?
1. Love or lust? A bit of both?
2. Hard liquor or beer? I never really drink...but, I hate beer.
3. Cats or dogs? Cats, but I like dogs. You just don't have to babysit cats.
4. A few best friends or many regular friends? Best Friends
5. Television or Internet? Internet, obviously
6. Pepsi or coke? Coke!
7. Wild night out or romantic night in? Romantic, I'm not a big crowd person.
9. Night or day? Night. I love to just sit out in the dark and watch the city lights, or the sky...
10. IM or phone? IM...I'm a better writer when it comes to explaining myself.

TEN HAVE YOU EVER
1. Been caught sneaking out? Yeah, when I was a kid
2. Been skinny dipping? If I did, I have put it out of my memory
3. Done something you regret? Who hasn't?
4. Bungee jumped? No....not a fan of heights.
6. Finished an entire jaw breaker? Yes...this is a girl who eats Ice incessantly. I like the crunchies.
7. Wanted something/someone so badly it hurt? Oh yeah.
8. Wanted an ex bf/gf back? Not really.
9. Cried because you lost a pet? Yeah, I've lost a lot of kitties...
10. Wanted to disappear? All the time.

TEN PREFERENCES
1. Smile or eyes: Eyes (and if you mix green eyes w/ my answer to #2...I'm a goner.)
2. Light or dark hair: Dark, for sure
3. Hugs or kisses: Both
4. Shorter or taller: Taller!
5. Intelligence or attraction: Intelligence
6. Romantic or spontaneous: Both
8. Hook-up or relationship: Relationship, though I could probably use a hook up or two.
9. Smelly feet or smelly breath? Um, eww? Feet, I guess. You can avoid feet.
10. Sense of humor or looks: Sense of humor!! (Though having both is nice.) :)

Eat Your Colors!

2nd post in a day, but it's a good cause.

So, one of my Internet friends, Jessie, has written a book. Seeing as how I am in the process of doing the same (with TWO books!..Yikes!)...I told her I'd help her out whenever I could.

I did some editing on it, since I'm an English nerd, and also told her I'd spread the word when it was published and ready to go.

Her book is ENTIRELY different than mine are, as it is not fiction. She has written a book about how to get kids to eat healthy. It has a lot of informative information, and also some recipes. I've read it. It's helpful....her kids are like anomalies in a world full of kids who eat crap.

Follow this link *click me!* for information about the book, and how to buy it.

SUPPORT YOUR INTERNET WRITERS! :)

Stupid.

Ok, the job is not putting me in the best frame of mind.

The day before yesterday, the Rude Chinese owners made this big to-do about how if there aren't that many rooms to clean in the morning, that I MAKE SURE that I call one of the maids, and tell them not to come in.

Okay...no problem.

So, the NEXT DAY....we have barely any rooms to clean, so I call one of the maids and tell her not to come in.

Fine. Did what they asked.

ONLY....the NIGHT BEFORE, after I'd been home for a while, apparently the owner decided to do it himself, and didn't bother to leave a note, telling me NOT to call a maid. And of course, he called the other one. So, now NO maids are showing up.

So, he should've left me a note, yes? ESPECIALLY after making a big to do that I make sure I did it in the morning. RIGHT? COMMON SENSE, RIGHT??

Noooo.....he told me I was stupid. That I should've KNOWN that he called a maid off, and EXACTLY which maid.

Um, yes. Because I'm psychic.

Bastard.

Color.

In my mood from hell, I decided to color my hair. I was tired of the washed out red it was becoming.

So, um...I think I went a bit overboard.
(you can click the picture for more detail)




What do you all think?