Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Torture, Reducing Stress, and the Triple T of Publishing

I've stumbled upon a new method of torture. It comes in the form of my 10-year-old twin sons begging me for a cell phone. Every. Single. Day. A writer could learn lessons from my sons, as they don't let rejection get in their way of accomplishing a goal.

I'm stealing, um, borrowing this stress reduction kit from Cate Pearce. The next time my twins ask for a cell phone, I'm planting my head here:



















Over at Rants & Ramblings, guest blogger Mary De Muth wrote about "The Triple T" in the publishing world. She says wanna be's, newly published, and multi-published authors need to be tenacious, talkative, and teachable. Are my twins reading blogs and I don't know about it?

A fun little goodie on this Tuesday morning. Both India Drummond and Vicki Rocho blogged about The Wasteline Test at Writer's Diet. This was fun! Thankfully, my sample was diagnosed as "lean." Probably because I've worked chapter one to death!

42 comments:

  1. :D Hee, I love this. Definitely need one!

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  2. Sandy, yes, perhaps I should print this out and tape it to my desk too!

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  3. Hah, what a great point about rejection. I'll have to remember that when the kids are pecking me like chickens.

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  4. salarsen, yes, they can be persistent little buggers!

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  5. I think I'll borrow your stress kit while I'm doing my exam revision. At least I'll have something to look at when I'm banging my head. lol.

    Great links too. I loved the Waistline test. My chapter was lean too. I'd hate to think what the rest looks like though. haha.

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  6. Lindsay, great point about the rest of the manuscript. Mine might be ready for a heart attack!

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  7. Julie, see? THIS is why I'm SO not ready for children of my own! This is such a hard dilemma. I love your sense of humor about it, though :)

    Marissa

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  8. Marissa, it's just a little speed bump along a glorious highway. You'd be an awesome mom!

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  9. Glad to be of service, will probably be giving future lessons in stress relief using such varied tools as ear plugs, duct tape, wine, vodka, tia maria and chocolate....possibly all together.
    And twins? Egads, double the pleading voices, good luck :)

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  10. Cate, duct tape, used it. Chocolate, used it. Must try ear plugs and vodka next.

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  11. Those were awesome links. Like others, I think I'm going to have to print that kit out. However, I've found bringing a book up to my head, rather than my forehead down to the desk, is a lot easier on the back.

    I did the Waistline Test on a piece I've been working on and I'm proud to say it's "Fit and Trim". Much better than I expected.

    Also, thanks for the comment on my last blog post :)

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  12. I've seen this one a few times *grin* goodluck with holding off on the cellphones, I really admire that :)

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  13. What IS it with pre-pubescent children and cell phones? The Kiddo wants one, too. No way, no how. Not until she actually needs one.

    Love the Stress Reduction Kit -- does it come with Aleve, or are those accessories sold separately?

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  14. J. Cordelia, forehead down on desk...now why didn't I think of that? So efficient!

    Nicole, holding off on the phones is an exercise in frustration, but yes, we are holding off!

    Cynthia, I totally agree. They say, "But everyone has one." Not true!

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  15. I'm too scared to take the test! But it looks clever. As for the cell phones, I'm thinking graduation - for middle school.

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  16. Lisa, that's what I'm thinking too. My twins will be tortured as they wait one whole year!

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  17. I've got a hysterical article about kids begging for cell phones. I just have to find it! (Nope, I didn't write it--a pro did.) I'll forward it on if I dig it up...you'll crack up!

    Thanks for the shout...I love that link, except it's very addictive!

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  18. Vicki, I'd love to read the article! Maybe it'll explain their bizarre fascination with the darn things.

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  19. Cell phones! Parents need to learn how to say no. How did we survive when we were kids? Cool links. Thanks, Simon.

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  20. Thanks for the shout-out on the blog today!

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  21. Hi!
    Your twin's cellphone problem: tell them all the cool kids do without phones (I didn't get one till I was 17 (my mum's old, broken down one, at that)...and I still don't use it very often.) =) [although, since I'm off to uni next term, I think I'd like a nice new one]

    Oh, and I saw you were following my blog (honoured), therefore I have two(2) questions:
    a) How did you come across it? (I'm curious)
    b) My post on a story I'm working on; I'd like your feedback please.

    Y.

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  22. hehe that's cute.

    Julie, thanks for visiting and following my blog. I appreciate your kind comment.
    Doris

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  23. Hey, I saw your comment you posted on our book club's blog: www.chickwithbooks.blogspot.com I am now to the blogging world and didn't really know if I answered your questions on our blog if you would see it- so I'm posting it here.

    I personally did not like Time Traveler's Wife. I found it boring and confusing. But there are many other members who loved it.

    I have read a few of Jodi Picoutlt's books, but unfortunately, I think I read her best writing first (19 minutes) and nothing else she has written has come close to captivating my attention like 19 Minutes.

    Try a few of my favorites:
    Beneath a Marble Sky
    Red Tent


    -Christina :-)

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  24. Unfortunately, I cannot edit my comments, because I just spotted a grieveous grammatical error. I hope it will not give you nightmares.

    Y.

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  25. Very helpful and cute post. thanks!

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  26. Simon, I've told me kids I didn't have a cell phone until I was 30. Blank stares.

    Y, I'll pop over to your blog and chat with you.

    Doris, my pleasure!

    Christine, thanks for the book suggestions. I've put them on my list!

    Melissa, thanks so much for stopping by.

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  27. Sometimes I wish cell phones were never invented, oh to be uncontactable!! lol.

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  28. Excellent point about rejection. Really and truly kids will teach you that won't they? What other little nuggets of wisdom can we learn from those little nuggets? I need to pay attention to my nieces more to find out!

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  29. Olive, I know, right? Imagine not being connected for *gasp* an hour or so. The horror!

    Lisa, kids do remind us of lessons we thought we'd already learned. Mine teach me something every day!

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  30. Brilliant stress reduction kit! Very funny!Kids are experts at sticking to their guns aren't they? sounds like you have budding writers!

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  31. Niamh, yes, these kids do stick to their guns. Very persistent!

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  32. Very funny - and practical. Get a patent for that Stress Reduction Kit right away. But instead of a firm surface, can it be attached to a pillow?
    Thank you so much for following, and commenting on, my blog too. Happy to discover yours.

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  33. Megan, a pillow would be nice! No worries of knocking myself unconscious.

    Thanks for stopping by

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  34. If were part woodpecker I'd give it a go, but I hate to take the chance that I'll knock my next novel into oblivion. :-)

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  35. C.Lee, yes we don't want your book to escape while you're pounding your head!

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  36. LOL this is funny! You sound like a good mom--saying no with under relentless pressure--:)

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  37. Terry, thanks. Like most moms, I'm just doing my best!

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  38. I'm sooooo 'borrowing' that stress reduction poster from you! Don't worry, I'll give it back because goodness knows with twins, you need it more than I do!

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  39. Heather, yes, I believe my forehead is extra flat this week!

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  40. Yup, the three T's would describe my twins, too. How old are you twins? I have three year old girls but we still nickname them "Pete" and "Repeat".

    And how did I MISS the Wasteline test??? I am so happy I found it via your blog. It's awesome! I will be using this all the time now.

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  41. Hey Margo! Three sons, 10 year old twins and a 13 year old. Busy times!

    Isn't that test cool? I found it on another blog, and loved it.

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