Friday, February 8, 2013

It's Enough for Now

Hi.  TGIF.

I'm wearing a happy face, too
I'm feeling pretty good this morning.

Well, not my stupid knee. The doctor gave me a cortisone shot yesterday and the initial reaction included swelling and stiffness. But I'll give it some time.

No, I'm feeling good about my writing and about some tiny signs of progress.

I attended our Western Ohio Writers Association meeting last night. I took a story I'm thinking of submitting to a major anthology to our critique group and received a thumbs up/it's ready from everyone. And this is not a warm fuzzy, pat on the back type of critique group.

I also had a chance to talk with some authors whose stories were not selected for an upcoming anthology that will include one of mine. I know this sounds selfish and not at all supportive but these are writers whose work I like and respect so it gave my ego a nice boost.

The national writing contest I entered a story in just before Christmas has not yet announced their results so I'm still enjoying the sweet sense of possibility.

Oh, and I've found the perfect source for some research I need on a current WIP and he said he'll be happy to help me.

Okay, it doesn't rate up there with signing a three book deal, or finding an agent who adores my book but for today...it's enough.

How about you?  Anything in your life giving you a boost today?

 Thought for the Day:

I don't want to brag or make anyone jealous or anything, but I can still fit into the earrings I wore in high school.

*grin*

41 comments:

Mike Keyton said...

It's a good feeling, Linda. I particularly like your phrase still enjoying the sweet sense of possibility because it reminds all of us to submit, submit, submit. It's the little things that keep us going.

Jemi Fraser said...

Teehee - me too!

Congrats and good luck! That sense of possibility is what it's all about! :)

Julie Dao said...

I hope your knee feels better! And congrats on the good feedback... good luck with submission! Hope you hear great news!

Maria Zannini said...

Is your knee no better than last night?

Glad you're in a state of contentment. Now we gotta get your knee to toe the line too. :)

Stacy McKitrick said...

Saw you at the meeting, but didn't get a chance to talk. That place was noisy last night!

I did get some good feedback on my short story (which I am thinking of submitting for an anthology my RWA chapter is putting together) and woke up with some great ways to make it better. That's what I like about our meetings, I wake up with ideas! But I'm not thrilled if the cost is going to increase. How do you feel about that?

Jessica R. Patch said...

My biggest boost so far today is the large Dark Chocolate latte from Dunkin. ;)

Hope your knee is 100% soon. And woohoo on your green light to submit. :)

L. Diane Wolfe said...

We are allowed to feel proud of ourselves now and then.

Linda G. said...

Hey, you're allowed to feel proud. You deserve it. :)

Also, I'm proud to say I can still fit into my earrings from thirty years ago. (Hey, it's the little things... *grin*)

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Enjoy your ego boost!

LD Masterson said...

Mike - I once had a story submission rejected in three hours. I didn't mind the rejection but the speed was a little disheartening. Spoiled the fun of hoping.

LD Masterson said...

Jemi - I'll tell you a secret about that joke. I don't wear earrings. Never had my ears pierce in all these years. (Needle-phopia.)

LD Masterson said...

Julie - Thanks. Got my fingers crossed on all fronts.

LD Masterson said...

Maria - Well, actually, I wrote this post last night. Or 1:00 this morning but it still felt like last night. The knee is a bit better now. Stiffness is wearing off.

(Toe the line? Maria - you made a groaner!)

LD Masterson said...

Stacy - Missed talking to you last night. Nice that it was a full house but harder to make the rounds.

Definitely whip that story into shape and submit it.

I guess cost increase is a fact of life. I think WOWA is still a bargain for what we get out of it.

LD Masterson said...

Jessica - Oooo, Dark Choclate latte. Now there's a boost.

And thanks.

LD Masterson said...

Karen - Sorry about your knee. It's a bummer. But I glad you're feeling better in general. it makes all the difference in the world.

LD Masterson said...

Diane - Yup. Sometimes you've just got to celebrate the little things.

LD Masterson said...

Linda G - Check out my confession to Jemi a few comments ago.

Now here's another - when my husband and I renewed our vows on our 25th anniversary, I wore the only part of my orignal wedding ensemble I could still get into. The veil.

LD Masterson said...

Alex - Thanks. Got to take 'em where you find 'em.

Anonymous said...

I have to laugh as I wore a size 28 jeans in high school. I know I'll never do that again.

LD Masterson said...

Stephen - Ah, but how about your earrings?

Maryannwrites said...

I like "the sweet sense of possibility" as well. I know I have that about several things; like my next royalty check being big enough to actually impact our budget. LOL I think if we don't savor the little moments, only waiting for a big one, we can get discouraged too easily. Good for you for celebrating what you have.

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

I'm holding onto that thought. Congrats on your successes and it's not selfish at all to feel good about your accomplishments.

LD Masterson said...

Maryann - She who celebrates the little victories gets to do a lot more happy dances. :-)

LD Masterson said...

Susan - Thanks. I do like to support other authors but realizing who didn't make the cut when I did - yeah, it felt good.

Carol Kilgore said...

Rejoice in the little things :)
And you made me feel so good because I can still fit into some high school earrings, too!

Michael Di Gesu said...

LD,

CONGRATS... That is SOOOO AWESOME! You should be REALLY proud of yourself....

Nothing exciting on my end... sadly.., BUT i am still hopeful!

Thanks for leaving such a LOVELY sentiment at my blog earlier today. I am sorry for you loss as well. I am sure your mom's spirit is infused with the tranquil park setting.

LD Masterson said...

Carol - Yea. Something to rejoice about.

LD Masterson said...

Michael - Never stop hoping.

I think we should both rejoice in having had the kind of mom it hurts so much to lose. If you're on Facebook, checkout my page (Linda Masterson Leszczuk), my cover/banner picture is of Mom's spot.

DL Hammons said...

Ride that ego wave!! It can so quickly go the other direction, so celebrate them when you can!! No shame. :)

Optimistic Existentialist said...

LOL loved the earring quote :)

momto8 said...

congrats!! and good luck!!
funny quote..i am going to use it!

Tara Tyler said...

thats a lot of positive news! great!!

LD Masterson said...

DL - Oh yeah - what goes up definitely comes down. Just have to enjoy the ride.

LD Masterson said...

Optimistic - Thanks! Glad you liked it.

LD Masterson said...

Annmarie - Please do share the funnies. Spread the laughter.

LD Masterson said...

Tara - Well, maybe not earth-shattering but it was a good day. :-)

Julie Flanders said...

Hi, Linda. I hadn't heard about the Western Ohio Writers Association before, I'm so excited to learn about it. I'm anxious to join, it looks like a wonderful group. Congrats on the response to your story!

LD Masterson said...

Julie - I'd love to tell you more about WOWA. If you'd like to go off-blog, e-mail me at lin@ldmasterson.com.

And you might enjoy my Monday post. It's about the new release...

Slamdunk said...

Having an expert to offer opinions on a research project is an invaluable resource. It sure beats having to blaze a trail alone.

Nothing in particular boosting me this week. I just am ready to tackle each day's challenges knowing that others are counting on me.

Enjoy your week LD.

LD Masterson said...

Slamdunk - I just realized I missed your comment on Monday. I hope you get a nice surprise boost somewhere along the way this week.