Ever have one of those bad dreams where you've got something important you desperately need to do, but you just can't start it? Or you can't get to it because your body weighs a million pounds and your shoelaces are tied together? There's so much nervous anxiety, you feel like your heart is gonna hack its way out of your rib cage and run screaming into the night.
That's my life right now.
In the middle of last week, I told my agent that I could be done with this next round of revisions in two weeks. And I totally could have. But then all this stuff started happening: sick kids home from school, Dr's appointments, unexpected car repairs, unexpected house guests, and of course, the most important person in my life had to go and have a birthday in there too.
So I'm way behind.
And I'm a little stressed.
Before I disappear, though, I have to brag on my little man, Chantze. He's been saving his hard-earned money for about two months now to buy a Playstation Portable (he saved up for his own PS2 when he was eight). He's been babysitting, doing housework and yard work, plus odd jobs for his grandpa and uncle. So this last weekend, for his mother's birthday, Chantze went and spent nearly all of his money to buy her a nice purse, a necklace, and a bracelet. Sweet, no?
That meant more to her than anything I could have bought her, and I'm proud as heck.
19 comments:
BPV, I HAVE AN IDEA WHAT YOU MEAN. I'VE BEEN TYPING UP A BOOK (YOU HAVE MY COPY OF THE 1ST BOOK IN THE SERIES)SOME FRIENDS WROTE (IN LONGHAND) OVER A DECADE AGO -- & I'M STILL TYPING IT. SEEMS LIKE THERE'S MANY THINGS IN LIFE THAT ARE JUST MORE IMPORTANT & IMMEDIATE.
I'M PROUD OF CHANTZE. HE'S GROWING INTO QUITE A FELLOW, HAS A GREAT SENSE OF HUMOR, AND IS A GOOD MOVIE ACTOR.
I WAS THINKING OF TROPHY WIFE ON HER BIRTHDAY. HOPE IT WAS A GOOD ONE FOR HER!!
That is so cool. Hope she had a great birthday, and my fingers and toes are crossed for you on the revision front.
OMG, that's so sweet! I know how kids (heck, and some adults!) can be about their video games, so that's such a huge thing that he did. A true sign of outstanding parenting if you ask me!
Good luck with the revisions. I hyperventilate at the thought of revising, and I don't even have an agent waiting on me, so I can only imagine your stress! Just remember to keep having fun.
What an amazing, sweet young man. You and Mrs. V must be so proud.
Speaking of Mrs. V, I hope she had a great birthday.
Good luck with the revisions. Just remember it's just for the next two weeks (ha, easy for me to say!) Try not to get too stressed. This is such an exciting time for you.
what a good kid. I'm betting he's thinking..if I suck up enough, maybe they will buy it for me :)
Just Kiddin.
Get writtin boy!
I think agents do understand that wrting is a creative process and you can't just crank out an assembly line of words. All he needs to know is that you are taking the time to craft the best first book in the series...and that is what you both want. You will get it done and get it done well with the same intestinal fortitude that created a book the agent is backing 100%.
Chantze is a special kid, he has a real heart and he isn't afraid for you to see it from time to time. I will never forget how he waited on my mother when all the other kids made light of her request. She never forgot it, either. I have been amazed at what kind of super guy he is becoming in so many ways. I couldn't be more proud of him.
I hate it when life gets in the way of plans. Turly I'm not very good at life's hiccups. I tend to stomp my feet a lot when they happen. And stick out my bottom lip. And writer's jobs are so easy to push to the side, it's not like a shift at work where you leave the house for X hours.
I hear ya.
Your boy sounds like a gem. He'll make a good husband one day.
Congratulations on what your son did. From one parent to another, YOU and YOUR WIFE deserve a serious pat on the back as well. You see, good kids don't happen by accident. Oh no. Good kids come from good parents who show them good examples and seize every single teachable moment life throws their way. I will definitely be telling my two boys your son's story - thanks for sharing it.
Kudos to Chantze. What a sweet thing to do for his mom. Good luck with the revisions; you can do 'em!!
Wow, he's a better kid than I ever was.
Thanks for all your wonderful comments everybody.
(welcome, Ms. Walton, hope my temporary inattention doesn't annoy you)
When I was in college as a single parent working two part time jobs trying to keep my life together, I missed the last 6 weeks of my chemistry lecture. However, I couldn not afford to drop the class. It was Friday, final exam on Monday, and the final accounted for 1/3 of my grade. Each chapter took me about 4 hours just to get through the first time, and I was about 12 chapters behind. Friday night I sat miserably in front of the TV. Saturday around 3 pm, I knew I could procrastinate no longer. I opened the chemistry book. For the next 36 hours I studied and studied and studied. It was hard because not having the benefit of the lecture, I had to figure it out all on my own. I remember spending hours just on the conversion matrix for gas-to-liquid-to-solid thing. I knew if I got that, I could get the rest. I was right. I went into the final exam enduring the shocked stares of my fellow classmates. About 2 weeks later I got my grade for the semester: A. A!!??! I was shocked clear down to my toes; I aimed to pass and through my hard work, last minute though it was, I aced. Ray, it is NEVER too late. You will amaze yourself with what you can accomplish with total, abandoned desperation and focus. ;)
Sweet, good luck with the revs. And what a great kid you've got.
Hope your revisions go well....I had no clue you had an agent! Congrats!
Very neat story about your son. I'm sure that made his mother's birthday very special. And it's good that he's not saving up for a PS3. I've heard those break easily.
I feel like a heel for not commenting on my very extraordinary nephew. He's always been a good kid from day 1, and with the example of thoughtfulness and giving that you and Cindy set, he's picking up what you are laying down. I'm proud of that kid; he's a great role model for all the kiddies. Now I just need to figure out is how to make my kids get it!
You've got a lot going on!
I love the story about your son, that's so sweet!
You've got a lot going on!
I love the story about your son, that's so sweet!
That's pretty cool. My kids are still young enough to believe that mommy really - no, really - wants a Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Racetrack. Or...a Hannah Montanna lipstick set.
Just an FYI - the blog is up and running now, so check it out and that will help me keep up with it regularly...www.jedininjahomeboy.com.
Also - I am done with my new book, the premise I shared with you in the E-mails.
And dang it if it isn't the next Catcher in the Rye.
No, really.
Okay, maybe not.
Anyway - have fun revising.
Commiserations and good luck on the revisions. That stress can be wicked. And your boy Chantze is some keeper. :)
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