I watched Pandorum last night. Wow. It was awesome. I definitely recommend it.

It's been a busy week this week, so I haven't gotten any writing done. I hope to remedy that this weekend, but we'll see. So far, the kids aren't being very cooperative!

I received two rejections this week. One from an agent and the other for a short story. Meh. Life goes on.
It was recently pointed out to me that people couldn't add comments. I had to change my security level because some individuals were using that area to post links to porn sites. It was set wrong, but I fixed it. If you want to post comments, you can now, but I will be moderating them. Thanks!
So I have some really good news, some good news, and some almost depressing news.

The really good news: I finished a rough draft of chapter 3 of my nonfiction novel. I finally got my act together and watched Halloween. As we were watching it, it suddenly occurred to me that there wasn't any snow. I mentioned this, and my friend says, "It doesn't always snow on Halloween, but the trees have usually always changed." I had never noticed it before, but ALL the trees in the movie are green. There's even a scene where there is a lilac bush in the background, and it's in bloom! The directors tries to make it look like fall, and there are a couple times when there are some fallen leaves on the ground or blowing in the wind, but for the most part, it's pretty green. Of course, that has nothing to do with what I'm writing, but I found it amusing, so I had to mention it.

The good news: I finally heard back from the editor of the nonfiction novel. I'm pretty sure he thinks I'm crazy and needy because I had to go through a colleague of his to get an answer. I tried to send him a couple of emails, but he never responded. I just wanted to make sure I had the correct address and that he still worked for the company. My persistence paid off, but it might have also cost me, which brings me to my

Almost depressing news: The editor informed me that they are on the fence about my nonfiction book. He is supposed to have a meeting with the president of the company, who will decide my fate, and I should have some information by the end of the week. It's kind of distressing to me because it seems like no one wants to read about slasher films, especially slasher films that were made over 30 years ago. But it's important to talk about the original films before I launch into my discussion about the new films. Oh, well. If they don't want to publish it, there's not much I can do to change their minds. I had put off working on this book for 4 years. I started writing it again because I thought someone would be willing to publish it. I've decided that's not a very healthy way to write, so even if they decide to pass, I'm still going to finish it. It might sit in a drawer for the rest of my life, but at least it'll be done!

Oh, I almost forgot, I sent the publisher who has my zombie novel and inquiry (I know, I know, I'm terrible, I flounder more than a politician!), and I'm still waiting to hear back. I'll let you know what I find out!
What is it about little kids and the compulsion to eat snow? My 3 year old can't go outside without shoveling a handful of the stuff in his mouth. I know I was the same way when I was a kid, but I don't recall ever picking it off my boot or off the floor (though I'm sure my mother can probably tell a different story!). My child doesn't care how dirty the floor or his shoe is, or, really, how dirty the snow is, he'll eat away. He's come up to the back door before with a ring of brown around his mouth and a smile on his lips. Makes me shudder because we have a dog and I'm positive not all of the brown stuff is dirt. I remember I stopped eating snow when I found out how it was made (you know, a spec of dirt with water around it that freezes). But I believe there is a bit of innocence in still eating snow. As it lays there in all its whiteness, there is a sense of purity. When you find out that there is a dirt core, something from childhood is lost (kind of like life). So, even though it makes my stomach turn, I try not to discourage his childhood pleasures.

In writing news, I made great progress on the new novella I'm working on. I wrote close to 10 pages this weekend. Plus, I finally watched Halloween, so I'm ready to finish chapter 3. With a little luck and some cooperation from my children, I'm hoping to have it done this evening!
I would like to send out an overjoyed and heartfelt congratulations to my friend, Tamara (you can read her blog by clicking on the link to the right. I'm an avid follower!). She recently received the email that every author wants to get: the one where an agent is interested in your work. She is one baby step closer to becoming an agented author. I am so happy for her! Congratulations, Tam, you deserve it!
Today is the 120th day my zombie novel has been under consideration with the publisher. Technically, I can send an inquiry at any time to figure out what they're doing with my manuscript. In one blog, I had mentioned that I probably would, but now I'm not so sure. Yeah, I want to know what the hell is going on, but it's been so long I'm kind of in a comfort zone. Of course, if I have an answer either way, then I'll know what my next steps should be. I've already decided that if this publisher rejects the book, then it's probably time to rewrite the damn thing. Even though I have a partial and a full out there, depending on what their responses are, that's the next logical step in the evolution of the novel. As you can imagine, I'm not very excited about the prospect of rewriting the book, so I'm not in that big of a hurry to send an email. Maybe I'll send one next week...
I had a dream last night that Nixon won the presidential election, again, and for some reason, he was giving his acceptance speech at my house. He seemed to be getting annoyed because the kids kept interrupting him. Then, it switched to my grandma's house, and I was desperately looking for sugar cookies, which I found, and they were wonderful! It was weird.

I received a request for a full today. I am over the moon! But doubt is also creeping in. Personally, I don't think my book is good enough. I have always been my own worst critic. No matter how many rewrites and edits I put the story through, there will always be more. I keep telling myself that even if someone does accept it, my work still isn't done. And I'm OK with that. It's getting to that point that drives me crazy (and, trust me, that's a pretty short drive). I have to put the doubt in the back of my mind when I start sending out queries, but it always creeps back in, especially when someone asks to see my work. I'm OK when I get rejections, I expect them, but it's different when you actually get an acceptance (or, in this case, a request). I always wonder: Is something wrong with that person? Why would they like my work? It's something I'm going to have to get over, but I don't really know how.
To continued my tangent from yesterday:

There is a reason why I don't let my child watch a lot of TV. Did you know there is a show out there where sushi (yes, raw fish and a side of wasabi) are superheroes? SUSHI! I would have loved to be in that meeting. Who pitches an idea like that? Better yet, who thinks it's a good enough idea to put on TV?

In the scheme of things, these programs are the least of my worries, I realize that, but it won't stop me from wondering about them!

In the writing side of my world, I'm still trying to finish chapter 3 of my nonfiction book. As I was writing on Sunday, I realized I need to rewatch the movies...AGAIN! So, I'm gearing up to watch the original Halloween in the next few days. Once I'm through with that, it should be smooooth sailin'! (Yeah, right.)
I had a fairly productive weekend. I got a little work done on the nonfiction novel, so I feel pretty good about that.

I also discovered that the cartoons my 3 year old watches are absolutely horrible! I love cartoons. Disney, Pixar, Dreamworks, the Simpsons, Star Wars the Clone Wars, Japanime, you name it. But I can't stand the cartoons that are on Saturday morning. Have you ever tried to sit through a Yu-Gi-Oh episode? I guarantee you won't be able to do it. Then there's this other one called Dinosaur King. I can't even tell you what that's about. Of course, my child LOVES these because it has fighting and dinosaurs, his two favorite things right now.

I haven't received any rejections lately, but I am slightly irritated with a magazine that was supposed to publish one of my short stories. It was originally slated to come out at the end of December, but the deadline was pushed to after the new year. Well, it is now the middle of February, and the magazine still hasn't come out. I emailed a letter to find out when it's supposed to be out, and I haven't heard a word. I understand that things happen and deadlines are missed, but for crying out loud, update your myspace page or web site. It's all starting to smell a little fishy...

I would like to welcome my newest follower. Thanks for joining me, Judy. I hope you enjoy what you read!
Life has a way of keeping things in balance. Not that my head was getting too big or my britches too small, but even if I was thinking about being conceited, life stepped in and knocked me down a peg. These are the little tests we have to go through to see how strong we really are. Surprisingly, I'm handling it much better than I thought I would, but I'm also trying to keep busy. I still have my nonfiction to finish and some short stories. I figure if I keep my mind occupied on other stuff, things will work out they way they're supposed to!

I received a rejection today, but that's nothing new.

Correction: I received TWO rejections today, and one was from the WEbook site I was telling you about. I'm happy to report that the agents DO get the emails, and they are just as quick (or slow, depending on the agent) to send out rejections!
One of the blogs I read, which, coincidentally, also happens to be a publisher that I submitted my story to, has been talking a lot about patience lately. I'm guessing it has to do with the fact that it's been a long time since they've made any decisions about what books they are going to contract. For me, it's been over 100 days. But when you send in your manuscript, they shoot an auto reply back that says it can take 90-120 days. I'm assuming that they've been getting a lot of emails recently wondering if/when they are going to make a decision on a particular novel. I understand that this is very frustrating for the editor (and for the author. We like to know ASAP if they are going to accept our work, but it's nice that they allow simultaneous submissions. It would suck if they wanted an exclusive [and it's well within their rights to ask!]). After all, they're trying to get stories read in a timely fashion, but they also have to answer emails from authors on where their novel is in the process, along with trying to get other novels into print. I've been curious to know if/when I'm going to hear about my book, but I've refrained from sending an email. 1) because I don't want to piss them off and have them reject me outright and 2) because I've been trying to keep busy with other projects. Don't get me wrong, the suspense it KILLING me, and I figure after 120 days if I haven't heard anything I'll send an email. On the other hand, in a time when all I've been getting is rejections, it's kind of nice to know that someone out there is still considering my work. It's the little things that keep me going!
Ray Harryhausen is one of my all time favorite special effects guys. If you don't know who he is, shame on you! He's the father of stop-motion animation. (You can Google him to find out more information.) By today's standards, his work is comical. But in his prime, it was cutting edge technology. Anyway, he did the effects for a lot of movies back in the day. Recently, my 3 year old has been interested in his films. I let him watch them because they are very tame. Relatively little in them is going to scare him (with the exception of "Clash of the Titans." Although I'm sure he'd enjoy it, it's a bit more intense than some of the other ones). The one he has been watching religiously is "Jason and the Argonauts," which was made in 1963. I vaguely remember watching this film with my dad when I was little (I wasn't born when it first came out), but I definitely remember watching it recently. Good corndog it is a TERRIBLE movie! My child likes it because it has a snake (the hydra) and sword fights, which are enough to keep him entertained. For the rest of us, though, there are some major (and I mean MAJOR) holes in the plot. It's one of those films that I put in for my child so I can get things done, and as long as he's entertained, that's all I care about!
Pembroke Sinclair's books on Goodreads
Life After the Undead Life After the Undead
reviews: 55
ratings: 100 (avg rating 3.64)

The Appeal of Evil The Appeal of Evil (The Road to Salvation, #1)
reviews: 38
ratings: 63 (avg rating 3.54)

Wucaii Wucaii
reviews: 32
ratings: 35 (avg rating 4.11)

Death to the Undead Death to the Undead (Sequel to Life After the Undead)
reviews: 20
ratings: 39 (avg rating 4.23)

Dealing with Devils Dealing with Devils (The Road to Salvation, #2)
reviews: 22
ratings: 32 (avg rating 4.00)