Wednesday 4 February 2009

ROLLERCOASTER

This evening I missed a lecture on forensics that I was particularly keen to attend. I couldn't find the venue and nor could about five different police officers I asked to help me. (By this time I'd become peripherally embroiled in a huge demonstration outside the Houses of Parliament - hence the significant police presence). Not a good evening.

Unusually, I read my horoscope in the paper on my train journey home. "Do you really need to go?" the horoscope asked. "Why do you put yourself through these things?" Why am I doing all this? I asked myself. What am I doing?

When I arrived home, I realised I hadn't found the venue because I'd looked up the wrong address. That didn't help my mood... Just as I was feeling really miserable, I found an email inviting me to talk about Cut Short at a literary festival.

So I can stop feeling sorry for myself - for this evening, at least.

Is writing a roller coaster for everyone, or am I just unhinged?

21 comments:

Charles Gramlich said...

Writing is definitely a roller coaster, and it sits on a ferris wheel, which is purchased shakily on the back of a go-cart racing around a figure 8 track.

Anonymous said...

Definitely, a Roller Coaster ... but an upside down one.

Mel said...

Definitely a roller coaster and as we go loop the loop we leave our stomachs on the floor, and in the case of the crime writer spread over the street surrounded by little yellow triangles.
Well done on your invitation, how exciting to be asked to speak at a festival.

Deborah Carr (Debs) said...

Glad your evening ended on a high note though.

Leigh Russell said...

Love the image, Charles - as usual.

Leigh Russell said...

and inside out, Aggie . . .

Leigh Russell said...

Thanks, Mel. I'm waiting to see if it comes to anything but it certainly cheered me up last night. Got to take this roller coaster one day at a time!

Leigh Russell said...

Thanks, Debs. Some days I'm just glad when they're over. This weather doesn't help... snow sleet ice

BernardL said...

Rough night! We can strive to control the ups and downs while writing. Maybe the publishing part is the roller coaster.

Leigh Russell said...

Is that part of the appeal of writing, Bernard? Are writers all control freaks? What's that? Did someone say: "Speak for yourself"?

BernardL said...

Controlling the plot is about all we have, Leigh, and the editors won't even quit picking at that. :)

Leigh Russell said...

That's true, Bernard, because even the d*** characters won't always do what we intend, but insist on going their own way, doing their own thing.

Middle Ditch said...

Hey, great that you are invited to read at a festival. Nervous?

Leigh Russell said...

Hi, Monique - the festival's just pencilled in - I don't even know if I'll be able to make the date. I'm just going to wait and see. I'll keep you posted. But it was exciting to be invited.

Leigh Russell said...

As for nerves, Monique - Before I give any author talks expect some panicky posts on my blog asking for help - what on earth do I say???!!!

fizzycat said...

Sounds like a Roller Coaster. So much for 'ask a policeman'.Good luck with the talk. I think, if we are becoming superstitious here, that is a good omen.

Leigh Russell said...

I'm not superstitious but . . . sometimes there do seem to be weird coincidences, don't there?

Barbara Martin said...

Congratulations on the invite.

Writing like a rollercoaster? Some days, yes; others, no. I think finding an agent fits better because you're all excited when they ask for a partial, then down you go when they don't want the full. As for editors, they push, pull and poke to get you to change something you feel is integral to the story, so that in effect is like being on a rollercoaster.

Eryl Shields said...

Writing, no, but trying to make it in the world, literary or not, yes it's a roller coaster. Great about the invite which will be another roller coaster of course.

Leigh Russell said...

Hi Barbara - I haven't yet managed to find an agent. I did write to a few about 18 months ago, but no luck. I've decided try again - I'll keep you posted. Not holding my breath.

As for editors - a bit of a sorry tale in my case, through no fault of my own. I'm not sure what's happening now, daren't even ask.

Leigh Russell said...

If it actually happens, Eryl. I'm so in awe of anyone who manages to fight and ferret their way through this whole publishing process.

Why is everything so complicated? (see my next post)