I’ve neglected my blog for a week as I’ve been busy revising, yet again, my novel—a romantic adventure with some paranormal elements. My blog topic was going to be one about Snowden—the whistle blower on American spying—and whether he’s a hero or a villain (our family is evenly divided on that score). But instead of writing about him, I’ve been inspired by a fly.
A fly landed boldly on my desk the other morning. It 
sat there for a moment, between me and my computer. That was odd enough but even odder still, it landed in an upside down position. It then righted itself and flew back to the window, semi-hidden by my venetian blinds. It (she or he) got my attention again when it buzzed. I looked over to see her upside down again, resting on the window glass. And then as before, she flipped over, right side up, and was gone. Quite the trick!
It’s a trick worth copying. That whole notion of flipping. For me, it’s my thinking that needs flipping. I had hoped to publish my novel traditionally. It wasn’t an unreasonable expectation. I’ve been agented before, many years back for my screenplays. Story is story, so I thought it shouldn’t be hard to find an agent again, but it has been.
There could be a variety of reasons for that. The writing (oh, God no, not my writing), the story (same thing), the subject matter (put romance in and it should sell, right?) or my age (I’m a grandmother trying to break in). I don’t want to admit it’s any or all of the reasons I’ve listed, but I do begin to wonder what the problem is when the pile of rejections threatens to bury me at my desk.
Am I discouraged? No, because I believe in craft and story. I know it’s hard for me to be subjective, as I’ve written this damn story myself, but it’s the kind of story I like to read. So, whether it gets much of a readership or not, I can say I truly entertained myself during the process of pulling it all together.
The idea of flipping, inspired by a fly, reminds me of the days when I was a clinical social worker and helped clients reframe their problem. Reframing is like flipping. So, like the fly, I’m now prepared to flip, not my body, but my thinking on how to get my novel published.And like the old cliché, which I’m quoting (because it’s good, why not?), let the chips fall where they may.
Inspired by a fly. Sometimes it’s the little things in life that causes us to change the way we think and they do say ‘there’s more than one way to skin a cat’. I’ve heard that it’s not easy getting published but don’t give up, you’ve done it before so I’m sure you’ll do it again. Maybe the fly was trying to tell you more, and you should try flipping the body too 🙂 you just don’t know what might happen. Have a great weekend.
So true. I’m big on nature and the lessons I can learn from not only plants but creatures. In this case, the lowly fly.
Go get ’em.
Thanks, Joanne.
It seems that a willingness to flip or re-frame is a very good thing, not just in the publishing journey, but in so many things…who knows what good things may be in store when we open ourselves to new perspectives and new directions. 🙂
Shari, it’s like stepping back and viewing what’s in front of you with a different lens.
So many things in this post apply to both of us Diana. Our family is divided about Snowden as well, and though I didn’t watch a fly flipped, the analogy with the writing was perfect for me, too. I am a writing grandmother as you are, and I’ve learned the chips will, indeed, fall where they may.
I do have my novel with an agent, but times being what they are, I think the time will come for “reframing” the possibilities. It’s so nice to know I’m not alone in this boat at sea!
Thanks for your thoughts, Marylin. Right now, I feel divided. Much as I’m exploring self-publishing options, I am also querying once again, having discovered a number of agents that are worth pursuing. As I’ve revamped my novel after hiring a story editor, who gave me great comments and encouragement, I figure I’ll try one more time. I’m not one to give up easily, especially after I’ve put the time and effort in to write a good story. And yes, nice to know there are others in the same boat. It’s the journey, isn’t it, not the destination.
Sometimes it’s the little things that nudge us in new directions. A fly. Who’da thunk it?
Yep! I’m still reeling. Still hanging on to traditional route, but weakening day by day, or should I say strengthening, day by day. There’s a bit of flipping for you.