Too Much, Too Many People, Too Much

Does anyone remember the artist (rather, the group of artists) who sang the lines in my title? It was about 1981ish...anyway.

I attended a lovely funeral this morning. That's right. You read correctly. A lovely funeral. A dear friend of mine lost her mother this week, and the service was this morning. The absolute highlight of the service was the fact that my friend's husband spoke about his mother-in-law in the sweetest, most tender way. He also delivered some words from his wife about her mother. It was very sweet, very personal, and a fitting tribute for a wonderful woman. A common theme that came up time and time again was what a 'giver' she was. I hope I'll be remembered as a 'giver'. You know, I've always heard people say that the world is made up of 'givers' and 'takers'. Don't know if that's true or not, but if it is, I want to be known as a 'giver'. I guess it's human nature, our natural tendency toward egotism, that makes us attend a funeral and then apply it to ourselves! But a funeral always makes me think. And weddings, too, but THAT's another topic for another day.

I received an e-mail yesterday from one of the writing groups I'm in, and it had some statistics attached to it (from some independent research by a publishing house). According to that research, only .01% of working writers ever sell a book. Let me rephrase, 99.99% of writers will NEVER SELL A BOOK. That's a terrible thought. And something I should probably forget immediately if I want to stay sane. Does anyone out there have any better stats than that one? aarrgghh!

I currently have one completed picture book manuscript, two nearly copmpleted picture book manuscripts, one completed middle grade novel manuscript, and a bunch of poems and short stories making the rounds. I've been doing a lot more envelope-licking than typing, I've got to say. I'm anxious to get back to writing, but isn't it ironic that trying to sell my writing takes so much time away from the craft itself? I mean, if I only worked on perfecting my craft, my writing might be much better, but no one would know it. OR if I just worked on getting myself out there, my craft would suffer losses of potential growth and improvement. There HAS to be a better way.

I have four children, and throughout my pregnancies I suffered from gestational kidney stones. If you've had them, you know just how horrible it is. Well, the theory is, people who get these have bodies that produce stones like crazy when they're pregnant but not otherwise. I've desperately clung to that theory in the hopes that I'd never see a kidney stone again. But last night I had a painful bout that could only been the wrestling around of a kidney stone. It's just not fair. I've had my share of those bad boys. I do NOT want to go back. So today I'm tired and grouchy and sore. Do you think I could sell an angry poem about kidney stones to Highlights? I think I've got one in me.

Have a wonderful week-end, everyone. I'll be talking more about inauguration, etc. in the coming days, so be prepared to offer some advice to Obama 'cause I'll be asking.

Have a wonderful week-end. Snuggle up with a good book in this crazy cold weather. And remember, I'm still looking for some recommendations (thank you to the people who e-mailed me yesterday). Feel free to POST them instead of e-mail, so everyone can check them out! xoxoxox