Courtesy: Smilesbymegan.com 

GETTING NOTICED 

I'll be honest, I get bitter when my writing doesn't impress.  Last month, I entered a popular picture book contest and my submission didn't garner a prize.  Okay, you can't win them all.  

I don't mean to come across as arrogant, but I believe my writing is prize-worthy.  My critique partners, editors, and agents have complimented my work, so I feel a bit justified in feeling let-down.   

Here's the thing: a good number of winners wrote stories about diversity.  So, this could be a reason why my work was not selected.  I don't feel qualified to write these stories. 

So, now I'm having doubts whether to enter the contest again should the opportunity arise next year.  The competition is fierce and more than 1000 people usually enter.  Diversity has been the chief interest of judges for the last four years.  

On the other hand, I feel that entering contests helps one to meet a deadline, to write concisely (if there's a word limit) to practice revising, and to get your work in front of writers, judges, and agents. 

So, what to do?

A lot of writers will say, write for yourself, not to please others.  And I do just that.  I write what I feel in my heart with the hope it will entertain and inspire children to be brave and kind.  Delivering a subtle message wrapped in lyrical language captures my voice.  I believe that stories that are magical, that flow with rhythm, that connect with alliteration, and that sing with assonance invite people to read them over and over because words sound lovely when read out loud and the messages are comforting.  

I will have to think about entering the picture book contest again.  One of the winning entries (all entries are made public) didn't follow the guidelines and exceeded the word count.  Why have rules at all if some judges are willing to avert their eyes?  How fair is that?  Again, I'm bitter because all winners get to have their stories presented to agents without having to query.  And an unqualified entry got to enjoy the perks.  

But enough complaining.  Sometimes life is not fair.  It's time to mourn the loss and move on.  And I did.  Shortly after the winners had been announced, I found a SCBWI webinar on...drum-roll, please...  "Winning short story contests!"  It gave useful tips on how to compose a winning entry, how to match a story to judges' tastes, and how to find a slew of writing contests.   

One last thought...

Being one of the winners in the picture book contest would have been a terrific opportunity to have my work in front of agents.  In fact, many of the winners find representation through this event.  But for me, it means I have to keep querying.  Which can be exhausting.  Which can feel futile.  Giving up is not an option.  I want my writing to impress an agent.  To receive a little validation.  To be appreciated.  I'd love to reach an audience.  Writing about diversity is important topic, but magical, lyrical stories are worthy of prizes and they should be noticed, too.   

À la prochaine!

"It is a great thing when your work is appreciated." Jacqueline Fernandez, Sri Lankan actress 

WHY CATS?   

I confess I love cats.

This has not always been the case.  

As a youngster and even as a young adult, I never had the occasion to be around cats.  However, this situation changed when my six-year-old daughter wanted a pet she could hug.  Beta fish didn't pass the test.  So we adopted a cat we called Ollie...except we knew very little about cats.  Luckily, cats pretty much take care of themselves.  Mostly, all they need is food and water.  Kind of like taking care of a cactus, but softer.  

Ozzie

Ollie was a bit persnickety (I discovered much later that ALL cats are persnickety).  He would paw out kibbles from his food bowl one at a time and eat them.  During the years we cared for Ollie, I never knew cats liked wide bowls because their whiskers are very sensitive.  So, Ollie adapted to the small food bowl and we got used to his odd-eating habit. 

Seven years later, Ollie passed away.  My daughter had moved away to go to college and I missed having a furry companion. I visited the Humane Society and found young cat named Ozzie.  He was a sweet tabby, but too curious for his own good.  When he was about seven-years-old, he ventured out a door that was accidently left ajar and he took the opportunity to explore the great outdoors. Not the smartest decision.

The temperatures were below freezing.  And worse, Ozzie didn't have claws.  His chances of survival were slim.  Two weeks passed, and Ozzie never came home.  He must have been so scared, cold, and hungry, trying to stay warm and trying to find water and food on the frozen ground.  My husband and I searched the neighborhood daily, put notices on lampposts, and posted about his disappearance online.  We hoped someone had found him, but no one had taken him to the Humane Society when we stopped by.   

Lizzie

I ached for another cat.  On the way home from the shelter, we dropped by Pet Smart, just to take a look.  Kittens would cheer me up.  When we saw a black and white tuxedo cat named Abby, the same name as our daughter, we adopted her on the spot (and changed her name to Lizzie). She became a lap cat and her rumbling purrs and affection helped me deal with the loss of Ozzie....who by the way, who had been found by a neighbor two weeks later and less than a mile away, unharmed and hungry. 

So, I take care of two indoor cats as well as a stray cat called Putty.  He's a fussy feline.  He wants wet food in a clean bowl.  Putty has the habit of disappearing for months and then showing up at our back door for food and medical attention when he gets hurt.  I could never turn him away.  He's a tough kitty who's been coming around for over ten years and I feel honored I've gained his trust. 

So how did I get so attached to these fur babies?  What is it about cats?  For me, it's Ozzie's fanned whiskers when he enjoys getting brushed, Lizzie's purring when she gets a chin rub, Putty's gruff meow when he gets his food bowl filled.  It's the way they show affection with playful swats, a tail tap, or a head bump.  It's their royal attitude and carriage, their dignified presence.  It's the way they calm me if I've had a bad day or if I get writer's block.    

When I was young, I would have never thought that cats would be part of my life.  Now, I can't imagine my life without them.  They have touched me with their personalities, persistence, and perseverance.  My love of cats shows up in my stories:  a tabby that goes missing, or a stray who gets care when he's injured, or a housecat that soothes a broken heart.  Through my writing, I can show others the awesomeness of cats.  Even as I write this blog, Lizzie is curled in my lap, inviting me to write another story.  No doubt a story about a cat.  I have a feline purrhaps, I will.  

  

À la prochaine! 

  

 

                                                                                                              Photo: Ryoji Iwata

A PERFECT FIT

I confess sometimes I don't fit in.

Like recently, at a local SCBWI writer's meeting.*  I've only attended twice, but I didn't have a good feeling about this group.  

The group meets once a month and consists mostly of unpublished writers. Though everyone was nice and polite, I couldn't relate very well to them and they couldn't relate to me.  Perhaps that was due to the fact that we hadn't had the opportunity to get to know one another.    

In addition, I noticed that the vibe was cold.  Most of the folks were very quiet.  Not that there's anything wrong with that, but there were no lively discussions—the atmosphere was kind of blah.  Part of the reason was because we didn't have much time for conversation because the leader asked us to write for 25 minutes inspired by prompts.  I felt like I was in a class.  Maybe I've missed the purpose of these meetings.  Maybe these meetings were intended for quiet writing. 

That's not all.  Another attendee assumed I knew little about writing and publishing and thought I could benefit from taking classes at the local literary center.  It was a kind gesture and I wasn't offended, but she never asked about my experience.  I had to explain that I'd been traditionally published and I have taught writing classes at the local literary center.  

Lastly, the leader came across with an I-know-it-all attitude.  At one point I had to speak up and challenge something he said (in a polite, respectful way) when he gave out inaccurate information.  He barely acknowledged what I said.  It's hard for me to be around people who can't concede they might be wrong.  

When time was nearly up, one writer said she had some ideas for the next meeting. I asked what she had in mind and she went on about where we could meet and have coffee and bagels.  OK, good to know, but what are we going to work on?  To her, food was more important than business.  Clearly, some people have a different agenda than I do.

I had wanted an opportunity to get to know other writers, to learn what others were working on, to understand each other's goals, to give and receive feedback, and to lend support.  But it didn't turn out that way.    

It's odd.  Halfway through the meeting today, I felt a migraine coming on.  My body was trying to tell me this writer's meeting probably wasn't right for me.  Later that day I wondered how other local chapters ran their meetings.  So, I posted a question for SCBWI members on Face Book wanting to know about the purpose of their get togethers.  Here's my favorite reply:  "Community building. To get to know others in the regions, to share knowledge and resources. To ask questions.  To make friends."  Yes!  That's want I want from my local group!

The sad thing is, I really want to be part of a local writer's group, to support others, to share manuscripts, and to talk about our challenges, our goals, our highs and lows.  One day, I hope to find a group where I'll feel comfortable, one where everyone can get to know one another, contribute, and help each other succeed.  Our local group is scheduled to meet later this month.  I will attend just to see how things go.  Maybe the agenda will improve and it will be exactly what I'm looking for.  But if there are no changes, I'll know this group will never be a perfect fit.  

À la prochaine!

*The Society for Children's Writers and Illustrators

  

                                                                                                                                           Photo: Tiffany Anthony
THE MISSING PEARLS 

I have a catchphrase I use whenever something goes missing: someone stole it.   

For instance, thirty-some years ago when my husband and I were moving into our new house, a box of valuables went missing.  I looked everywhere for it and came to the conclusion that garbage men must have taken it.  Which turned out to be absurd and oh so wrong.  The box eventually turned up.  

But now this catchphrase is the only explanation for the empty mother-of-pearl jewelry box on the nightstand by my bed.  This case held something special, something personal, something beautiful and delicate—a double strand pearl necklace that belonged to my bubbie.  

I had rummaged through every dresser drawer.  I've looked under the bed.  I've searched the closet: on shelves of folded sweaters, inside shoes, between clothes on hangers, and behind hats, under laundry baskets and bookbags.  I turned the bedroom upside down and inside out, looked high and low and knew in my heart the necklace had been ripped off.   

Over the years, we've had painters and carpenters in the house.  It never occurred to me to hide the necklace.  The pearls flowed freely from the jewelry box like a beaded waterfall, but I never thought it would interest others, invite others, tantalize and tempt.  So, I beat myself up for being so careless, for not guarding something that I loved and valued.   

My husband assured me it would show up.  But he was wrong.  Even though I have no proof someone took it, I had a lingering suspicion that the necklace had been lifted and I laid the blame on others.   

You could say buy another.  But that's not the point.  A new necklace would never do.  I want the necklace that graced my grandmother's neck. 

My bubbie worked at the grocery store she and my grandfather owned.  On her feet Monday through Friday.  Never complained.  She was a kind person who extended credit to people for kosher meat, knowing they probably would never be able to pay their bills.  She rarely wore the necklace—she and my grandfather didn't go out that much.  But I like to think she wore the pearls to synagogue. I can envision her touching them lightly as she recited, "Barukh Attah Adonai Eloheinu Melekh ha-Olam, O Lord our God, King of the universe." 

It's been ten years and counting since I've last seen the pearls.  I am crushed they are missing—the pearls held memories of my grandmother.  They were a physical way I could connect with her.  

I used to imagine a package arriving.  A small package without a return address.  A package wrapped in regret.  I would rip it open and find the necklace.  It would be accompanied with a note:  I believe this belonged to you. 

But I know this would never happen.  The necklace was gone for good.   

I think of my grandmother and sweet memories arise and my skin tingles as if she's passed right through me.  Her heavenly voice says, "You don't need pearls to have me nearby."  

You might think this is the end of the story, but there's more.  

As you may have guessed, I never received a package with a note and the necklace. Such is the stuff of dreams.

But during the Christmas break, I mentioned the stolen jewelry to my daughter and she told me she had a double strand necklace. I was so wrapped up believing in my little catchphrase, so convinced the necklace had been stolen that I had forgotten I’d given it to her.

The jewelry box is empty and it will remain empty, not because I don’t have other items for it, but because it serves as a reminder. A reminder of something missing and then found. Of something loved and valued. Of something special. Of something personal, beautiful, and delicate.  Of something passed down.  My daughter keeps her great grandmother’s necklace—and it belongs with her.  

 À la prochaine! 

I confess... 

I love the holidays. 

Wishing everyone a very happy holiday season!

I look forward to sharing more musings,  

opinions, and confessions 

with you next year. 

Coming the first week of January: 

the mystery of the missing pearls

               

                                                                                                                                                          Photo: Word Wise Tips

'TWAS THE MONTH BEFORE CHRISTMAS 

I confess I'm not a fan of Christmas letters.  

During the holiday season, my husband and I receive a handful of single-spaced letters typed on the front and on the back.  

So many words.  

In some holiday letters, photos are added here and there and I can't help but wonder if the sender thinks this will break up the text in order to make the reading more bite-size and thus more pleasurable. 

When one arrives in the mail, I put it side.  A holiday letter is a time commitment.  I have to fit it into my schedule in order to read it from start to finish.  

But senders may have a different vision of how their letters are perceived.  Perhaps they imagine me eagerly tearing into the envelope, pulling out reading glasses, and being enthralled with the 1000-word letter that consists of exotic vacations, camping trips, biking trips, the 4th of July celebrations, concerts, news about the kids, the grandkids, the pets.  Wait...did I miss something?  Yes, the grand pets. 

In most cases, these letters are sent with love to inform and to stay connected, yet sometimes, they seem to come across as bragging, and to me that is a put-off.  

On the other hand, I love receiving Christmas cards.  You know, the sparkly ones with glitter that sticks to fingers and to every surface they touch.  These cards portray serene winter scenes with snowy trees and frosted wreaths, deer and cardinals, ice-skaters and villages.  Often times, the senders may even include a hand-written note.  And they can even be displayed on mantels and bookshelves.  As for showing off the long-winded Christmas letters?  Hmmm...I think not.  

There are probably a gazillion people who love receiving the holiday letters.  They may even look forward to them.  And I would too, if they were shorter and more interesting.  If they were addressed to me instead to friends.  

Sad to say, so many of the letters that my husband and I receive lack a sincere way to communicate during the holidays.  Many friends haven't discovered how to write concise letters that I would actually look forward to reading.  

If you're among those who enjoy writing a holiday letter, I applaud your efforts, but I have some questions for you: 

Is your letter merely a month-by-month account of your accomplishments and travels?  And, is it the stuff your readers can relate to?    

Christmas will soon be upon us and I hate to be the one to tell you, but nobody wants to slog through a long self-centered letter.  So, I challenge you to come up with a short humble recap of the year and write personalized note at the end.  

And if you can do that, I will find the time to sit down and enjoy your letter.   

À la prochaine!

For more on writing a great holiday letter, check these tips.

 https://blog.cardsdirect.com/holidays-special-occasions/tips-for-great-christmas-letters/

 https://www.nonprofitcopywriter.com/write-a-Christmas-letter.html

SIGNS

I look for signs from the Universe to give me guidance and assurance—whether it's words, an animal, songs, or Nature.

For instance, whenever I watch the tennis grand slams on television, the camera usually pans to the well-known quote at the US Open: "Pressure is a privilege" and the one at the French Open:  "Victory belongs to the most tenacious."  These words inspire me to persevere with writing. 

Or, take the time I saw Elton John perform in Lexington, Kentucky.  When he sang "I'm Still Standing," the song reminded me to stay strong and keep submitting even when my manuscripts are rejected.  

Sara Wiseman, published author and a visionary teacher of spiritual intuition invites us to be open to all kinds of signs, especially those from Nature.  She says, "We are used to thinking about signs and synchronicities in the old way—that we will receive a message in language or symbol, such as a street sign, or a sentence in a book, or an email that comes at the exact right moment.  Often, the Universe sends us beautiful messages using Nature.  We come across something unexpected and beautiful and the answer to our question become clear.  We experience something unexpected and surprising, and we are jolted into clarity. " 

On that note, I once received an unusual and unexpected sign.  After submitting a query, I glanced down and noticed an oak leaf at my foot.  On the carpet under my desk.  Oak leaves symbolize strength and endurance.  

And one evening after ballet class, I spotted a vibrant rainbow.  It spanned the entire sky.  Rainbows symbolize good luck, happiness, health, hope, and optimism. 

Then, the other day a honey bee playfully buzzed around my grocery cart and darted inside my car.  (A week later while I was vacationing in Alaska, a honey bee rode on the windshield of our rental car.)  I've read that a bee appears as a spirit animal when dealing with a heavy burden.  The bee supports us in accomplishing the most difficult challenges and encourages us to be open to the infinite possibilities of the universe.  For me, the bee reminds me to listen to my intuition and my instincts when facing the difficult task of querying agents. 

And recently I read a post on Twitter/X written by an agent who tried to revive a dehydrated dragonfly.  A few hours later, a dragonfly hovered over my car.  Dragonflies represent change, moving out of our comfort zones, honoring our emotions, and reminds us to let our own light shine forward.

I don't force myself to be on the lookout for signs.  They find me.  Then it's up to me to understand why this sign has appeared and ask why it has appeared now.  I have to interpret the sign and apply it to my circumstances.  Signs don't come to me every day.  They appear when the Universe feels I need them the most.

So, I encourage you to keep an open mind.  The Universe is trying to reach you.  To teach you.  Recognize signs that may come your way, especially through Nature.  Wiseman says,  "If you are not sure how Nature is talking to you, why not take today, and simply ask for a sign?  And then, see what Nature brings you." 

 À la prochaine!

Messages from the Divine by Sara Wiseman