As Well As Can Be Expected

I am probably one of the slowest learners you’ll ever meet. And one of the most stubborn, as well.

(I promise that very soon I will stop ending half of all my sentences with the words “as well.” It’s just that in Ireland, 99% of everyone’s sentences end with those two words, and the same is largely true in Scotland, as well. Sheesh.)

If I were bright, I would have submitted my finished novel to the no-less-than-six publishing houses that asked to see the complete manuscript at the writers conference I went to in Nashville last fall. Instead, I totally lost my nerve, shoved the manuscript in a drawer, and handed my life over to my mother.

Granted, she did need me for a while there. Actually, for a large part of the past five years. Just not as large a part as I’ve let myself believe.

Dr. Laura said something on the air yesterday that clicked with me. She was speaking to a couple who are worried about their children. The poor tykes are being treated unfairly by their grandmother, who showers expensive gifts on the other grandchildren but ignores these.

Dr. Laura tried to explain that the situation—while bizarre—could be turned into a fertile training ground for their children, if the parents handle it well. “You have to get these kids ready to face the real world,” she said. “Your job is not to protect them from the world, but to prepare them for it.”

I’ve got to admit, I’ve spent years trying to protect my mother from reality: pain, old age, disappointment, fear, illness, death, and yes, maybe even God. As if she was a child, and a fragile one at that.

So I’m pulling back, cutting her some slack, giving her a much wider berth, letting the rope out a little—choose your cliche.

With the time I’ve reclaimed, I’m writing again. I’d almost decided to ditch the completed novel in the drawer because I’m not quite pleased with it, but I think instead I’ll work on it before I move on to another project. And after I work on it (or maybe while I’m working on it…), I’m going to start shopping it around.

I’m not getting any younger here, people! And just in case you’re in denial as well, you might as well know that you’re getting another day older today, as well.

I’m still a slow learner, but this is about as well as I’ve been in a very long time.

Posted by Katy on 05/24/06 at 01:17 PM

Fallible Comments...

Yes, Katy. I'm glad you're finding balance. And do send that manuscript to those who asked. It's not too late.

Today I'm defrosting our "frost-free" refrigerator, doing piles of laundry, working out, eating out (thanks to the aforementioned fridge), and other mundanities. But meanwhile I will sing of my Redeemer, a song only He will hear. A song that rises from my heart to His throne. And I will trust that the offering is received, meager though it may be.

You're right. We're not getting any younger. I don't want to let a day go by without worship. And hopefully I'll manage to squeeze in a bit of writing, as well.

Love you.
Posted by Jeanne Damoff on 05/24/06 at 02:05 PM
For someone who writes AS WELL as you do, I think it nearly a tragedy that your words languished in a drawer for a year, AS WELL as probably pouted and felt neglected.

So, yeah. Re-work that draft until it sings AS WELL as Celine (or better) and submit it hither and yon. You might AS WELL live your life as a writer...

:-)
Posted by relevantgirl on 05/24/06 at 03:58 PM
Let me just paste something in here real quick:

HEINLEIN'S RULES FOR WRITING
----------------------------

1. You must write.
2. You must finish what you write.
3. You must refrain from rewriting, except to editorial order.
4. You must put the work on the market.
5. You must keep the work on the market until it is sold.
Posted by jackie on 05/24/06 at 05:13 PM
Katy, you are gifted according to God's desires and these urges and passions of yours are of God's design. They may be scary and they may be an open invite to vulnerability but they are God's wishes for you. Don't stand in the way of what God wants to do with your life for His glory. Get it out there! I have so much faith in you and who God has made you. love ya.
Posted by galadriel on 05/24/06 at 06:54 PM
Katy,
Putting one's writing out there to be looked at by a publisher is one of the hardest things to do. I do not have that kind of bravery and I am glad you are going to work on that novel and take that first step toward publication.
Posted by Maria on 05/25/06 at 10:09 PM
Jeanne--Balance. Ah, yes. That's my hubby's favorite word. I wonder why? He's had to use it with me pretty often during these 30 years, the poor fellow. Maybe I'll catch on yet. I love you!

Relevant Mary--"You might as well live your life as a writer." Wow! This is like an epiphany for me! Thank you, and I love you, also. :)

Jackie--Wow! I love this, and somehow I think I needed to see #3. I have been critiqued and passed around and edited out the wazoo. Funny how everyone's opinions are so diametrically opposed to all the others! I think I'll cut back on the input, and crank up the output. Thanks. I feel a lot of love for you right now.

Galadriel--I'm just a tad afraid of that vulnerability thing you mention. And standing in the way of God is a special talent of mine. Sheesh. You are one encouraging chick, you know that? I'm in love with you.

Maria--You are an excellent writer, and maybe we should get our guts up and face this thing together! (Besides, I think teachers must be the bravest people of all. I am reading Teacher Man, and I'm even more convinced.) Have I told you lately that I love you? :)
Posted by Katy on 05/31/06 at 10:09 PM

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Personal blog of christian writer & fallible mom Katy McKenna Raymond in Kansas City, Missouri Katy is represented by Greg Johnson at WordServe Literary Read more Katy at LateBoomer.net Follow Katy on Twitter Follow Katy on Facebook 123 Recent Posts Try Becoming Brenda Starr Off Beat Scattered That’s It So I’ve Finally Signed With An Agent. Now What? The Spoon Sciatica Sweetheart A Woman’s Train of Thought Has No Caboose However much we own, we are all still living on borrowed time After all, when restaurants shrink portions, they don’t shrink prices. As with everything in life, balance is key. Slow down, you move too fast… Yeah, I know. I have issues. Search Advanced Search Syndicate Login E me at katy @ ngenius.com	As Well As Can Be Expected I am probably one of the slowest learners you’ll ever meet. And one of the most stubborn, as well. (I promise that very soon I will stop ending half of all my sentences with the words “as well.” It’s just that in Ireland, 99% of everyone’s sentences end with those two words, and the same is largely true in Scotland, as well. Sheesh.) If I were bright, I would have submitted my finished novel to the no-less-than-six publishing houses that asked to see the complete manuscript at the writers conference I went to in Nashville last fall. Instead, I totally lost my nerve, shoved the manuscript in a drawer, and handed my life over to my mother. Granted, she did need me for a while there. Actually, for a large part of the past five years. Just not as large a part as I’ve let myself believe. Dr. Laura said something on the air yesterday that clicked with me. She was speaking to a couple who are worried about their children. The poor tykes are being treated unfairly by their grandmother, who showers expensive gifts on the other grandchildren but ignores these. Dr. Laura tried to explain that the situation—while bizarre—could be turned into a fertile training ground for their children, if the parents handle it well. “You have to get these kids ready to face the real world,” she said. “Your job is not to protect them from the world, but to prepare them for it.” I’ve got to admit, I’ve spent years trying to protect my mother from reality: pain, old age, disappointment, fear, illness, death, and yes, maybe even God. As if she was a child, and a fragile one at that. So I’m pulling back, cutting her some slack, giving her a much wider berth, letting the rope out a little—choose your cliche. With the time I’ve reclaimed, I’m writing again. I’d almost decided to ditch the completed novel in the drawer because I’m not quite pleased with it, but I think instead I’ll work on it before I move on to another project. And after I work on it (or maybe while I’m working on it…), I’m going to start shopping it around. I’m not getting any younger here, people! And just in case you’re in denial as well, you might as well know that you’re getting another day older today, as well. I’m still a slow learner, but this is about as well as I’ve been in a very long time. Posted by Katy on 05/24/06 at 01:17 PM Fallible Comments... Yes, Katy. I'm glad you're finding balance. And do send that manuscript to those who asked. It's not too late. Today I'm defrosting our "frost-free" refrigerator, doing piles of laundry, working out, eating out (thanks to the aforementioned fridge), and other mundanities. But meanwhile I will sing of my Redeemer, a song only He will hear. A song that rises from my heart to His throne. And I will trust that the offering is received, meager though it may be. You're right. We're not getting any younger. I don't want to let a day go by without worship. And hopefully I'll manage to squeeze in a bit of writing, as well. Love you. Posted by Jeanne Damoff on 05/24/06 at 02:05 PM For someone who writes AS WELL as you do, I think it nearly a tragedy that your words languished in a drawer for a year, AS WELL as probably pouted and felt neglected. So, yeah. Re-work that draft until it sings AS WELL as Celine (or better) and submit it hither and yon. You might AS WELL live your life as a writer... :-) Posted by relevantgirl on 05/24/06 at 03:58 PM Let me just paste something in here real quick: HEINLEIN'S RULES FOR WRITING ---------------------------- 1. You must write. 2. You must finish what you write. 3. You must refrain from rewriting, except to editorial order. 4. You must put the work on the market. 5. You must keep the work on the market until it is sold. Posted by jackie on 05/24/06 at 05:13 PM Katy, you are gifted according to God's desires and these urges and passions of yours are of God's design. They may be scary and they may be an open invite to vulnerability but they are God's wishes for you. Don't stand in the way of what God wants to do with your life for His glory. Get it out there! I have so much faith in you and who God has made you. love ya. Posted by galadriel on 05/24/06 at 06:54 PM Katy, Putting one's writing out there to be looked at by a publisher is one of the hardest things to do. I do not have that kind of bravery and I am glad you are going to work on that novel and take that first step toward publication. Posted by Maria on 05/25/06 at 10:09 PM Jeanne--Balance. Ah, yes. That's my hubby's favorite word. I wonder why? He's had to use it with me pretty often during these 30 years, the poor fellow. Maybe I'll catch on yet. I love you! Relevant Mary--"You might as well live your life as a writer." Wow! This is like an epiphany for me! Thank you, and I love you, also. :) Jackie--Wow! I love this, and somehow I think I needed to see #3. I have been critiqued and passed around and edited out the wazoo. Funny how everyone's opinions are so diametrically opposed to all the others! I think I'll cut back on the input, and crank up the output. Thanks. I feel a lot of love for you right now. Galadriel--I'm just a tad afraid of that vulnerability thing you mention. And standing in the way of God is a special talent of mine. Sheesh. You are one encouraging chick, you know that? I'm in love with you. Maria--You are an excellent writer, and maybe we should get our guts up and face this thing together! (Besides, I think teachers must be the bravest people of all. I am reading Teacher Man, and I'm even more convinced.) Have I told you lately that I love you? :) Posted by Katy on 05/31/06 at 10:09 PM Page 1 of 1 pages Commenting is not available in this weblog entry. Next entry: Two Witnesses Previous entry: No Comment? << Back to main


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Personal blog of christianwriter & fallible momKaty McKenna Raymondin Kansas City, Missouri

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As Well As Can Be Expected

Personal blog of christian
writer & fallible mom
Katy McKenna Raymond
in Kansas City, Missouri