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01/07/2005: "The Long Walk"

I love having projects out to contests and editors. I love the feeling of hope that having work out there brings. My heart jumps when the phone rings. People are always asking "Have you heard anything yet?" Which cracks me up, because if I'd heard I'd either be screaming at the top of my lungs to anyone who'd listen, or I'd be whining like a toddler in the candy isle of the grocery store.

Anyway, it's fun to have stuff out there.

Until...

THE MAILMAN COMES.

Suddenly, I'm experiencing cold sweats, heart palpitations, trembles, and some serious breathing issues. Walking from my front door to the mailbox takes forever and feels like I'm taking my last trip from my jail cell to the execution chamber. Step, step, step, watch out for that cottonmouth snake, step, step, step.

I get to the mailbox. By now I'm hyperventilating and really want to puke. And then I run through all these stupid thoughts. Do I really want to open the mailbox door? If I do and there's a rejection in there, the rest of my day will be ruined and I won't be able to write. If I don't, I could still write. Well, probably not, because I'll be too worried about what's lurking in the mailbox (besides the fire ants.)

In the end, I brave the ants and get the mail. And I either feel like someone has called in a last minute reprieve, or I'm devastated and looking for beer.

As Alison says, this writing biz ain't for sissies! (which is why I drink a lot of beer.)

Replies: 8 brave souls responded

on Friday, January 7th, Joely Sue said

Larissa, this cracks me up! When I was waiting to find out the Molly contest results (both rounds were announced late), I swear the mailman threw my mail at me every day and sped away before I could mug him. That mixture of sick anticipation and trembling dread.... Whew. I think I need another drink.

on Friday, January 7th, Jordan said

I remember when I received the call from the Daphne du Maurier contest telling me I'd finaled. I thought they'd made a mistake and could barely comprehend what the lady was saying. The other contests I entered were a bit of a dread. I was scared to read what the judges had to say. Part of me misses being able to enter contests. Now I just wait to see if my agent is going to reject my submissions. I get that news via email, so there's no safe place to hide.

on Friday, January 7th, Sharon said

Sigh...I actually miss those days. It was fun to check the mail and see lots of return envelopes. Then I could try and guess how many would be rejections and how many would be requests on my way back into the house.

I think that whole process actually motivated me to write, because I find now that I'm not actively submitting, I have to work a little harder to park my tucass in the chair to write.

on Friday, January 7th, Sasha said

I'd been considering entering another contest, but I thinkyou just convinced me not to. LOL I'll stick with just stressing about submissions.

on Friday, January 7th, Patrice said

Larissa said: As Alison says, this writing biz ain't for sissies!

LOL! This is SO true. Did you guys see the most recent RWR..the Jungle Beat section where it gave the stats on the average 'life expectancy' of a writer? Sheesh! I'd like to live longer than 68.

on Friday, January 7th, Larissa said

Yikes! I must have missed that article!

LOL on all the contest stories! And Sasha, don't be afraid! Do it!

on Friday, January 7th, Lynn said

[sigh] I guess I'm still a sissy. I haven't had the courage to submit or enter contests yet. Soon, I swear, but not yet. (And you're entry scared me even more! :hehe

on Monday, January 10th, Amy said

Too funny! This is EXACTLY what I go through every day (well, minus the ants. They're all frozen here.)

I only have one thing out, to a HQ editor, so I play the "will the white envelope be in the mailbox today or not" game constantly.

What a bunch of cases we are, huh?