Saturday, September 17, 2005

Yo, Editor. Over Here!

Thanks for everyone's appreciative comments on my last blog. It is gratifying to know that my writing can be meaningful to people at times. To which my wife adds, "If you could get some money out of it, it would be even better," That is my goal. Other bloggers have made it. Deb and Monique are both familiar bloggers here who have publishers seeking their talents. Deb has written a story to be included in an upcoming Chicken Soup for the Dog Lover's Soul. Heck, why not me!

So Chicken Soup for the Dog's Lover's Soul is at the book binder's. I'm too late for that one. But our family also has a pet mouse. When Chicken Soup for the Mouse Lover's Soul advertises for material, I'm there. I will charm the editors recounting how our mouse escaped from its cage, triggering a desperate search of our family room. And nobody was more angst-ridden than my wife over the missing little fellow. Mousie Come Home--it's a winner.


Of course, I thought my Christmas story about a dad masquerading as Santa Claus to make true believers out of his kids was going to be a sure-fire hit too. I entered it in a Detroit Free Press holiday short story contest about twenty years back. So convinced was I that I had struck gold that I instructed a secretary to pull me out of a meeting if the phone ever rang for me. But no call ever came. When the winning stories were published, they ran a list of "honorable mentions." Then the editors added a few others they thought were good too. Not mine, none of them.

A couple years ago I set my sights a little lower. When an Ann Arbor monthly entertainment guide begat its annual literary contest, I figured myself to be a shoo-in. I had concocted a wonderful little ditty about a talking test tube blob that would make me the next Ray Bradbury. I even paid an entry fee of $5. Again however, no prize, no acknowledgement, not even a rejection letter.

Okay, there was the time I set my sights even lower. A weekly newspaper ran a Valentine's Day contest asking for something cute and mushy in 25 words or less. They had about 20 entries. And I FINALLY prevailed! I won one of the five prizes--a free haircut by a professional barber. That gave me hope

Could be I'm just a late bloomer with my literary career. Folk artist Grandma Moses didn't sell her first painting until she was nearly 80. So I figure I'm still on track for my Pulitzer. I'm not sure my wife agrees anymore. But I'll show her. One day they'll say about us, "Behind every successful man is a surprised woman."

20 Comments:

Blogger the many Bs said...

Dave, you deserve to make it in the Big Time. Your writing is really nice. IMO. (seriously.)

My writing goal is even lower than yours. It's to get some comments on my blog. woo hoo

3:14 PM  
Blogger TLP said...

Awww...I like your writing. And you made you laugh. That's worth a LOT.

My writing goal is lower than both yours and schnoodlepooh's: I don't seem to have one. I'm a goal-setting failure.

7:15 PM  
Blogger Hale McKay said...

To finish your ending.. "Behind every successful man is a surprised woman to spend the money."
..My aspirations are high, but since I am already near the bottom,
I won't fall too far if failure is in the cards.
..In the meantime, Like schnoodle, I'll be content to get comments on my postings.
..Nice writing, Dave.

11:44 PM  
Blogger OldHorsetailSnake said...

So, Dave, how long till you're 80?

7:36 AM  
Blogger the many Bs said...

Hey Dave, I'm doing my part to make you famous. You deserve it. (seriously) I made you the star of the day. check it out, dude!

10:17 AM  
Blogger poopie said...

I know the feeling Dave..nary an acknowledgement from the "contest" people. But by golly my readers love me! Schoodlepooh sent me to make your acquaintance, and I'm glad she did.

12:54 PM  
Blogger Vickie said...

Schoodlepooh sent me your way and I'm glad she did, I'll be returning.

3:14 PM  
Blogger Lila said...

Hey, great blog! I was sent by Schnoodlepooh.

7:56 PM  
Blogger Deb said...

Hey Dave, you're a great writer! I loved the suggestion for the new Chicken Soup title.

Great Job!

6:00 AM  
Blogger bornfool said...

Perhaps both of us still have a couple of good years left. Let's keep muddling through.

6:06 AM  
Blogger TLP said...

Schnoodlepooh sent me! HehHehHeh. Laughs on her. I've already been here. So there.

I think I followed Hoss over here before.

4:45 PM  
Blogger WordWhiz said...

I always knew you were a big softie!! It's my turn to say, "Awwwww...." Something "mushy" for Valentine's Day.

7:55 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

James Thurber says the woman is AHEAD of the man.
And Dr. Weirsdo says the important thing is to have something to say (except when he gets rejection letters. Then he says unprintable things).
Thanks for visiting Mrs. Weirsdo's Novella. It is just starting. You might check out my more established blog through this link to find out what I'm really all about so far.

8:02 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

James Thurber says the woman is AHEAD of the man.
And Dr. Weirsdo says the important thing is to have something to say (except when he gets rejection letters. Then he says unprintable things).
Thanks for visiting Mrs. Weirsdo's Novella. It is just starting. You might check out my more established blog through this link to find out what I'm really all about so far.

8:02 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

James Thurber says the woman is AHEAD of the man.
And Dr. Weirsdo says the important thing is to have something to say (except when he gets rejection letters. Then he says unprintable things).
Thanks for visiting Mrs. Weirsdo's Novella. It is just starting. You might check out my more established blog through this link to find out what I'm really all about so far.

8:02 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

James Thurber says the woman is AHEAD of the man.
And Dr. Weirsdo says the important thing is to have something to say (except when he gets rejection letters. Then he says unprintable things).
Thanks for visiting Mrs. Weirsdo's Novella. It is just starting. You might check out my more established blog through this link to find out what I'm really all about so far.

8:03 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

James Thurber says the woman is AHEAD of the man.
And Dr. Weirsdo says the important thing is to have something to say (except when he gets rejection letters. Then he says unprintable things).
Thanks for visiting Mrs. Weirsdo's Novella. It is just starting. You might check out my more established blog through this link to find out what I'm really all about so far.

8:03 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

James Thurber says the woman is AHEAD of the man.
And Dr. Weirsdo says the important thing is to have something to say (except when he gets rejection letters. Then he says unprintable things).
Thanks for visiting Mrs. Weirsdo's Novella. It is just starting. You might check out my more established blog through this link to find out what I'm really all about so far.

8:03 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

James Thurber says the woman is AHEAD of the man.
And Dr. Weirsdo says the important thing is to have something to say (except when he gets rejection letters. Then he says unprintable things).
Thanks for visiting Mrs. Weirsdo's Novella. It is just starting. You might check out my more established blog through this link to find out what I'm really all about so far.

8:03 PM  
Blogger Monique said...

Hey cool, thanks for the mention! Sorry it took me a couple of days to get over here to thank you, but I was out of town for the weekend. You should post that prize winning entry in your blog!

9:55 PM  

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