Just Passing By

 I did all the formatting and polishing work required yesterday to submit my book to a prestigious  competition on its final day, yet chose not to. Deep down I don’t want to “give it away” like this, in some international draw,  maybe I am crazy. I just don’t know, but I listened to that reluctant part of me. My character, my story is  unique I believe. Not to be randomly cast out there. My story is a strong, honed, ready. Everyone thinks this, I am certain, about their novel. Sure. Me, I will choose very carefully who I submit it  to. That is what I need to do now. I will go very carefully through the list of resources Jericho have sent, see what stands out. Decide on my terms, I will.

 I am stepping outside my comfort zone a lot. Posting videos of me singing and playing the guitar, that's a big thing for me to do, for, deep down it makes me cringe. Yet the music's being warmly welcomed, someone even said I had a "good" voice, which I have never believed. Likewise, I booked a telephone call with Jericho writers. I probably gabbled and rambled on, for I don't have the vocabulary or the experience in publishing circles. Yet, wow, it was good. In both cases, by being daring, I am learning and growing so much, it feels like flying. I want to hold onto that energy.

 I was the first winner in the Blues Guitar Bootstrap Challenge; man, to hear my name being read out, could not have come at a more perfect time, for things are extremely difficult. God knows, what I know that  I have come to learn about what matters and what doesn’t, given all these years of struggle. I have much to share. My book is beautiful and worthwhile. Last night I took part in a Jericho Zoom event, discussing writing for young people. I asked about Ageism within the publishing industry and was reassured that it is the story that matters, right. Hmmmm. I know very well the discrimination that those who are ill , disabled and housebound suffer. I know the discrimination that those who care for them suffer. Discrimination is  rampant, so it is and always has been . Those that society does not value , includes older people, this is especially the case in a consumer society. I have long been bothered by how the term “boomer “ is fast becoming derogatory.. I don’t buy ...

Woke up this morning….and read that my “Pitch Jericho” entry didn’t make it.  So there’s always the knee jerk instinct to give up in the face of rejection. Ah, but no. Last night I boldly posted a clip of me playing blues guitar on a forum, to wonderful acclaim. No one knows how much courage that took. Yesterday I acted boldly. Built my author site , restored this blog. Booked a chat with Jericho. And that is how I will carry on.   Bold action. Is required. To get my book published.

 …I am so close now. Six books under my belt, a newly designed author website, which I’ve just built and here I am a member of the Jericho Writers Community, with the intention of paying for an Agent assessment, once I’ve written the synopsis. More than all that, my book is honed and ready. I’ve carved it out, it’s ready. I know this. Oh my, I’ve resurrected this blog!