Good ol’ Hammie. Gotta love him.
To be, or not to be: that is the question:
Whether ’tis nobler in the mind to suffer
The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,
Or to take arms against a sea of troubles,
And by opposing end them? Hamlet 3/1
What is a fiction writer? In the midst of pitching, marketing, pleading, and defensive angst, it is a tough question to answer. Especially when cornered at the soccer field watching your kid get pummeled for the umpteenth time and you are making small talk with the mom next to you. Unless one is on the NYT best seller list or prominently displayed at the local B&N, what do YOU say to, “Oh are you published?”
I answer, in all honesty, “Yes I am published.” Followed up with a quick ”Do you have a spare $150 to read my book? You’ll enjoy it if you are interested in early Syriac Christianity.
Fiction book published? No. Not yet.”
Will my stories contribute to world knowledge? No. I’ve done that and the world hasn’t noticed yet. Will my stories take you to another place and let you enjoy an escapist minute, hour, or day. Yes. I’m not highfaluting. I’m writing English (usually) fiction with a paucity of footnotes, languages, and bibliographies. What I can promise you is a fun time with a fair amount of blood, sweat, and tears behind it.
Is it worth it? Darn tootin!
Stephanie Jarkins
www.gothmomz.com
twitter: skjarkins
8 Comments 
Forgive me for I have sinned. No! Not that way – perish the thought. I have sinned by enjoying FAR too much my husband’s occasional business trip absences. I love having our bed to myself. I shift my pillow over and sleep right on the middle in the ridge between his side and mine. (Yes, I know. I need a new mattress – it’s in the budget.)
I dance with glee through the kitchen ignoring the stove and throw whatever I can get my hands on to my child as I glide off to my office book and tea cup in my hands. Not having to cook is the greatest joy. My mother used to wish that we could take a pill for our meals and be done with all that mucking about in the kitchen. Some days I’m with her on that. Cooking is not one of my blisses. I am truly ecstatic (in the traditional Greek sense of the word) by evening when I can sit down and watch my silly girl movie, as my husband calls it. Tomb Raider, 
Van Helsing,
League of Extraordinary Gentlemen,
movies of that ilk. Movies that not only ignore the laws of physics, they don’t even acknowledge that the laws exist. Love them! Popcorn, fuzzy slippers, fleece throw, hot tea and a silly movie. Bliss.
Is it wrong to hope for another business trip soon? I need a little vacation.
PS: Don’t tell my husband – he may never leave if he knew what I was up to when he was gone.
Stephanie Jarkins
11 Comments
As most of you know, I am now considered a “woman of a certain age.” As such, certain expectations are placed on me. Purple hair, feather extensions, and skull rings are not among them. More’s the pity. However, for my first literary pitch ever of “The Goth Soccer Mom Club” I needed some Dutch courage – a full set of acrylic nails. Why I thought this is unclear. I’d never had fake nails in my life. Not even the ones from the local pharmacy at Hallowe’en. My wonderful friend to the rescue. She referred me to her manicurist offering a 50% off sale. I zoomed off the next morning. Nice fellow. Lovely place. Then he pulled out the dremel tool sounding like the dentist’s drill and ground down my nails. What?! Then the process continued with lacquer this, colour that, and finally I had lovely square nails. Ugh. I felt as though my nails were encased in hard plastic – oh right. They were! And the square ends – not me. It has been four days of these sparkling blood red nails. Gotta go back and get them rounded. I have learned that when it comes to fake nails, some folks are squares, or rounds, or ovaloid square. What are you? BTW: the agent asked for a partial of my mss. and helped me develop another project. Thank you @LouiseFury.
2 Comments
Howdy All,
Sorry for the long silent night. I’ve been working hard on “The Goth Soccer Mom Club”. It will be ready to pitch for July 23rd, 2011. Keep an eye out for more news.
In the meantime, thanks for your patience!
Stephanie
Comment
- At the fourth week, pink dragons are just fine in my text as long as they are described well.
- Have an outline, otherwise the pink dragons start killing off characters for no reason.
- Writing is work! Anyone who tells you otherwise hasn’t written enough!
- “Writers’ block” is an indulgence of the indolent.
- When scenes are flowing a thousand words flies by; when it is all muckled up, a hundred words is a victory.
- The highligher tool is the most valuable one in my toolbar.
- Different font colours for the different POVs has saved my hide more than once.
- JANO isn’t the end of the world, I need my family and friends to keep my tenuous grip on so-called ‘reality.’
- Perfectionism is the murderer of JANO. Just type it – d*mn it!
- Have fun, it ain’t worth doin’ if I ain’t havin’ fun!
Musings of a competitive cuss, a.k.a. Stephanie Jarkins
January 2010
1 Comment
Writer’s Angst
