news from the frozen north

Things have been a little quiet here the last couple of days so I thought I would send a good news kind of thing. I sent my manuscript to an editor that was recommended by another member of the forum...and the editor received it today and sent me a note. When I sent the manuscript off (which was really hard for many reasons), I told her I did so with butterflies. I just loved her note.

Here is her email...

Hi Pam,
Just a note to let you know everything arrived, safe and sound. And know
that it's normal to have butterflies! But have no fear, together we'll
work out any kinks.


Okay, your first assignment: don't think about this while it's here. I
know! MUCH easier said than done, but I want you fresh when this comes
home. So, work on something else (short stories are great during this
time), or read things you've been putting off. Or go play
Anything to keep your mind off of this one.

All Best,

Looks like you've found an editor that knows their job. That's good advice. When a manuscript goes cold on you there's not much you can do with it and there are tricks to prevent that! Do tell us what you get up to!

Fingers crossed for you Pam! It sounds very promising. When you are close to your work, it is very difficult to see the areas that need improving. By distancing yourself, the manuscript will become less familiar and you will see it with a new eye.

When Leanne Burroughs held my manuscript for over three months, she did me a backhanded favour. I didn't realise this until I started to edit. I wanted to finish the final proof-reading for my husband's birthday (last week in October) but I didn't cross the final t until the end of January. Three extra months! I became as critical as any editor and viewed the work as though it had been written by someone else. It wasn't a pleasant experience and not one I would recommend -- I'll be explaining the whole process later.

Good luck with the editor; it has to be better than going it alone!

~Shelagh

George and Shelagh I do feel very excited about what is to come, although sitting on my hands is difficult. Yesterday I moved and stacked an entire cord of wood, worked on a newsletter and did some research on the internet...more to come! Today maybe some cookie baking (except then of course I'll eat them, so perhaps not such a hot idea).

Best of luck Pam.....staying busy is a great idea while you are waiting - OR start the next writing project!

Good luck, Pam!

I know what you mean about the waiting game. I stopped chewing my nails when I was in my teens, and I don't smoke or drink...so, how can I be all nervous with an outlet? Hm...

Chocolate! That's it!

One for Rhett,

And two for Pam!!

Can't beleive that my last post had your name spelled all weird George - darned wireless keyboard! Rhett I have tried to stop chewing my nails a zillion times to no avail. Even my kids will give me the 'look' so that I stop! Zada I think you have found my new chocolate - the digital kind! Thanks for you comments too Pam K. My parents are back for two weeks as of tomorrow, so I will be very busy juggling work and hostessing, but I am chomping at the bit!

I thought it was an abbreviation for gorgeous George!

Do I look like a candy bar?

Do you want an answer?

You know what they say - you are what you eat - which means this morning that I look like shredded wheat. What an awful thought that is. *blech* Oh, that's just because it was shredded wheat!

In that case, George must look like a chocolate biccie!

Or a plateful of porridge!

Just like a Scot!

Made with milk and honey though, none of this water and salt stuff for me!

...George's a honeypot!

Me, I'm a nut. I start my day with natural yoghurt and flaked almonds ... I suppose that makes me a bit flaky too!

Okay, just what is a biccie? Is it a sweet biscuit? Or maybe a bit like hard tack?

Try this Zada:

http://biggalloot.blogspot.com/2007/06/chocolate-biccie-cake.html

Chocolate, chocolate!

Okay, what is a digestive biscuit? Something like Tums? Good heavens, hanging out with you guys I am learning a whole new language!

That recipe sounds good, kind of like trail mix in bar form.

It's a Scottish biccie!

http://www.nicecupofteaandasitdown.com/biscuits/previous.php3?item=9

Hmmm ...

Is it sort of an after supper treat? Supposed to aid the diegestion?

They sound a bit dry, except for the chocolate, of course.

My husband never travels abroad without a packet of digestives. I think he's half digestive biscuit!

Here's more information:

http://www.waitrose.com/food/celebritiesandarticles/ingredients/0209093.aspx

Very interesting, Shelagh. Thank your for the links:thank you: and the education I got from visiting them! Here, peppermint is the digestive tummy soother!

Chocolate biccies, mmm. Hope my folks are bringing some back with them tomorrow! Zada I have seen digestives in the US; Peek Frean has one but if you visit an English import place they will have lots of them. If not, I am going to send you some from here. They are great under a layer of chocolate, and the plain ones are also decadent with cheese and an apple (one of my fave quick lunches).
I am really really lucky living here as there is a local farmer who own a produce and grocery outfit. He is originally from England and goes back a couple of times a year to order goodies, so I can actually get all kinds of imported goodies. At Christmas he had this Cadbury Yule Log that was coated in Cadbury's chocolate. He also gets ginger snaps that have pieces of crystallized ginger in them. Second only to chocolate biccies of course.