Monday Motivation: I Get By With a Little Help From My Friends

(I love the Beatles, in case you didn't already know.)

It's April 22nd and late last week we got another FOOT of snow. That's right, people, 12 more inches. Today we're supposed to get another 4 to 8 inches. For reals, this winter can end anytime now.

Last week was a tough one in a number of ways. On top of the crappy weather, Hammer Guy was sick, I had a huge event at work, and there was a heckuva lot of bad news in our country and around the world. Stresssssssssss.

I didn't write at all last week - I've been on a bit of a break since I turned WFTS over to my CPs. I beta read for a couple of amazing writers, though, and that was definitely the highlight of my writing week.

I love helping and encouraging other writers and I've loved seeing so many of my CPs and social media writer friends find success -- however that might look for them.

One of these days, that's going to be me.I still believe that. No matter what, I'm still moving forward.

I've said it before - I think WAITING FOR THE SUN will be the one. Right now, as I mentioned, it's in the hands of a few trusted critique partners and I'm (im)patiently waiting for feedback. Of course, the minute I hit SEND, I thought of three things to change and four things to add, but I've refrained from opening the doc to revise. I'll wait until I get notes from everyone.

Just for fun, though, I dashed off a quick query and sent it to an agent who had mentioned they were closing to queries soon. This was not one of my top agents to query; in fact, I had decided NOT to query this individual with CLOUD 9.

I seriously was not expecting anything from this person, and I got it: last night I received my first form rejection for WFTS.

And even though my expectations were incredibly low, and I wasn't 100% sold on this agent to begin with, and I'd sent it off on a complete whim without having even one person look at my query letter, I still felt that pang of disappointment.

You know the one.

But you know what? My web of writerly support is strong and wide.

THIS email:

Subject: What the hell time is it?

The subject line is an actual quote from beloved husband about five minutes ago. He had just snored himself awake and found me reading. At 2:30 am. With my book light that he affectionately calls the sun.

So I got up and finished reading in my bathtub. I know that's weird, but if I left the bedroom to go anywhere but the bathroom the dogs would want to come with and there would be chaos and I couldn't finish the book.

Of course, I was reading WFTS. I picked it up to read a couple chapters at 11 and I couldn't stop. And I had to get up and blow my nose like three times because this book is awesome. I know I use that word a lot, so please don't think WFTS doesn't deserve a better word, because it does, but it is two freaking thirty in the morning and my brain is full.

Fat chance I'm going to get any sleep now. I cannot tell you how long it has been since I stayed up this late to finish a book. Thank you.

I love Ben. The end. :)

THIS tweet:

I'm reading an amazing ms by the lovely @sbiren. Can't wait for this little bird to fly into the wild :)

And this one:

Just finished WFTS and think I am so lucky to have met a wonderful CP with such a beautiful story. It was amazing. Simply amazing.

So, yeah.

I'm feeling pretty good. I get by with a little help from my friends.

BY THE WAY, thanks, friends, for helping me celebrate my two-year Blogoversary this month. The winner of the SUPER SWEET 90s Prize Package (including a box of Junior Mints, a scünci, a Counting Crows CD, and TIME BETWEEN US) is Jaime Morrow! If you don't already follow Jaime's blog, do it now! It's awesome.

AND one last thing:

Even though last week's "winter weather event" preventing me from dropping until Friday, for the first year I rocked the drop for Operation Teen Book Drop 2013.

What have you been up to lately? Did you Rock the Drop last week?