D.A. Cairns's Blog, page 46

I don't feel like it

There are times when you have to push yourself to do things that you don't want to do. To perpetually surrender to the call of the sloth within to resist activity because you don't feel like it is to travel down the path to indolence. But why should life be all about doing things we don't want to do just because we have to? Sometimes trivialities receive unwarranted promotions. Ask yourself if it really matters before you wield the cat 'o' nine tails against your own flesh. 

Some things are important and some things are not. Figure out the difference. Sort your laundry. Okay, I'm taking my advice, how about you?

What next?

A Muddy Red River will be published by Rogue Phoenix Press next year. I'll have some work to do on the manuscript and cover, and will share the latter as soon as it is available, but it's time to think about the next project. It would be more accurate to say begin the next project rather than think about it, because I have already given it a lot of thought. Since I completed the manuscript, my efforts have been intensely focused on finding a publisher. With that box happily ticked, what will I do now? 

I will write and/or submit more short stories, particularly targeting writing competitions to try to raise my profile. I would like to hit 50 short story credits before my fourth novel is released. I will write another novel. I will try to find an agent. And I will get on with  my study as I'm still falling behind.

Lastly, I will enjoy my work and my play.

Eternity

It is not possible for finite minds to comprehend the infinite. We can imagine it or try to imagine it, and depending on how good our imaginations are, we may scratch the surface of the reality, but we can never truly grasp the infinite. Let's look at a concept like eternity for example. Eternity is a long time time right? Eternity is forever. I know you are reading this and saying, 'Duh! Of course eternity is forever," but have you ever really thought about it? Eternity is not just a long time, it is actually timelessness. What is timelessness? What does it look like? How does it work? 

I have no idea because I, like you and everybody else on this planet, was born at a certain time in the past and I have been progressing through time at the rate of twenty four hours a day towards an unknown date in the future at which point my physical body will expire. I will carry on this journey that we call life, irrespective of what happens to me - agony, ecstasy or monotony- until my time is over.

At this point of the discussion, disputes about life after death typically arise. Some people believe that physical expiration is ultimate termination. When you're dead, you're dead. Others, in fact the majority I would argue without fear of being contradicted, believe in the immortality of the soul. Various religious traditions suggest different manifestations of this afterlife, but essentially all accept the notion that there is life after death. Some sort of heaven for the good, and some kind of hell for the bad. That is far too simplistic, but this is a blog not a book.

Presumably when people who don't believe in any sort of after life talk about "forever" they just mean "until they die." We fall in love and it is forever. We are always waiting forever for things to happen, or for something to end. We say we'll never do this or we'll never do that. His name, her deeds etcetera will be remembered forever. Forever?

Yesterday, I waited forever for the referee to blow full time so that we could hold on for a draw against the more highly rated team we were playing, and then towards the end of forever we snagged a brilliant goal to win. That match concluded about 16 hours ago which feels like forever.

This thing called life which some of us think lasts forever, will be over in the twinkling of an eye. It goes too fast for us to properly enjoy it or even understand it. If you want to hold to that view of forever - the short, over in the blink of an eye view - be my guest but I would invite you to think, to really think about timelessness because if this blur on history which is my life is only about the years I spend on earth wrapped in this mortal coil, then I cannot see the point. There must be more. Don't you think?

Photo sources
http://www.openlettersmonthly.com/ste...
http://www.kansascitybob.com/2013/07/...

Chuffed

I don't normally use the word "chuffed". In fact, I may never have used it, but that does not mean that I can't start using it now. It might become my new favourite. Who knows? Anyway, I'm feeling chuffed this morning due to the level of interest shown in the manuscript for A Muddy Red River. I received another contract offer from a publisher yesterday. However, interest is one thing, exposure is another, and sales? Well that is a further leap into unknown territory for me. I write quality fiction which hardly anybody reads...but they soon will.

Publishing update

The latest rejection of A Muddy Red River said that the there was no problem with the quality of the manuscript but they had reservations about its marketability. We'll see about that. Here's the state of play re A Muddy Red River. I have accepted a contract so now it's time to advise all those other publishers who have been nursing the manuscript, or part thereof, in their laps, or on their desks or ignoring it in their inboxes, that A Muddy Red River is no longer available.

Six publishers liked the sample enough to request the full manuscript. Two of those subsequently offered me a publishing contract. I haven't heard from the others yet. I also received 5 joint venture/subsidy publishing offers which I declined although I am considering using one of them to re cover and re release my debut novel, Devolution, into a large, specific market of readers.

10 publishers rejected A Muddy Red River, and I have not heard anything from 47 others to whom I submitted the manuscript. It is to that 47 that I must now direct my correspondence.

Any of you writers have tales of great rejections? Either in number or character? Anything to share. If not, simply share my joy as my fourth novel goes into production.

The Rollercoaster

I have a lot on at the moment and I'm feeling quite excited this morning. For the past six weeks I've struggled for motivation and clarity of thought. My focus has been on myself and my personal problems and it has been exhausting. With many things to do now: writing, studying and working, I am hopeful that concentrating on these matters will allow me to finally break free of this emotionally intense and debilitating phase of my life. I don't want to get off the rollercoaster. I just need a breather. Call me a sucker for punishment, but I like the ups and downs, and the twists and turns.

A Few Irons

The good news about the offer of a publishing contract for A Muddy Red River, is still being diluted by ongoing struggles in my personal life. I'm also supposed to resume my studies this semester but I have no appetite for further dull academic instruction. I should begin my next novel, after deciding to shelve the one I had already begun, but I can't seem to find my way to that particular door. At least I know where the room is, and I know what's in there. I wish there was a much certainty in my life as there is in my writing. If only it was as easy to do as it was to know.

A Muddy Red River chapter 1

Toot Yourself Mate

My daughter is learning to drive. In New South Wales, learner drivers have to log 120 hours of supervised driving. Earlier today, we went for a drive, principally to work on car park manoeuvring and perpendicular parking. I directed her to a suitable car park, and I worked her over for twenty minutes. Park on the left. Pull out. Park on the right. Park beside the red car. Park beside the silver car. Reverse back into that spot etcetera.

On the drive home, she stopped at a  roundabout through which traffic is directed by traffic signals during peak times. We had to wait. She waited a fraction too long, and the driver behind tooted her, suggesting impolitely via his car horn that she should have entered the roundabout. I was incensed, and fired my death stare at the offending driver. I talked to him politely and calmly, with seething anger, despite the fact he could not hear me.

I noticed the man's wife appeared to be angry with him, and I surmised that she may have been remonstrating with him for tooting a learner. Believing that to be the case, I lauded the woman's actions and although she couldn't prevent his actions, perhaps he won't repeat them. 

Afterwards, I pondered the significance of restraining forces in our lives. As this is a blog post, and not a book, I shan't go into details, but I simply wish to pose the question: when have you been restrained by a wiser, cooler head? When has the voice of reason saved you from an act of madness?

Delightful Deliberations

I'm a creative and passionate person. I've been called a dreamer but I know, with apologies to John Lennon, that I am not the only one. I have tended to make things hard for myself throughout my life while simultaneously wishing for and espousing the virtues of simplicity. I may complain about problems, rail against the onslaught of various tribulations, but that is life, and I love life.
I'm on the verge of signing a contract for the publication of my fourth novel, A Muddy Red River. I don't like details and fine print because I'm a big picture kind of person but am I unhappy about having to go over the fine print of a publishing contract? Hell no!
Preview A Muddy Red River here

A Pleasing Dilemma

Square Pegs will from now on feature much more regular updates. I plan to post new content every day, but apart from the usual big Sunday post, the entries will be small. As a writer, much of my life is consumed with writing related activities. Most, though not all of my daily updates will be writing related. I will essentially write about whatever I want to because it's my blog.

I have received a contract offer with a traditional small press publisher. I have also received five offers from subsidy publishers. My manuscript, A Muddy Red River, will be my fourth published novel. I am still unknown and have not been able to break through yet, despite my best efforts. The attraction of the subsidy, or joint venture publishers, is the increased exposure through marketing and various listings. The downside is the risk. I may lose money for no discernible benefit in terms of exposure.

Any thoughts on which way I should go?