October update

Hello!

October is my favorite month - cool weather, cool breeze, colorful leaves, pumpkins, apple pie. Sigh. Too bad I'm stuck in bed.

I had major surgery two weeks ago after a major injury - I tore the Achilles tendon away from my heel. Ouch is right. While the operation doesn't take long, the recovery does - 8-12 weeks without putting ANY weight on the foot. I have crutches and a wheelchair, but even so, this is a major hassle because since I live up stairs. It's so hard getting down the stairs, and even more challenging getting back up them, that I'm "in" for the next 3 months (except for doctor's appointments). My husband has to do almost everything now - cook, clean up, wait on me (I try not to ask for much) - when I'm finally back on my feet (so to speak), I'm going to have to find The Perfect gift to repay him for everything he's doing. Believe me, I could not have gotten through this without him.

I'd never had general anesthetic before, nor any kind of major surgery, so it's taken nearly two weeks to feel like my old self again. One's body can't tell the difference between a surgeon's knife and a wolf attack, so a wound is a wound, and healing takes its old sweet time.

The good news is, I can crochet to my heart's content, I can read and watch old movies with my hubby (he's retired), and I can write. I can't sit in front of the computer for too long because I have to keep the leg elevated, but little by little, I'm cranking out my next book proposal.

What happened to my last proposals? Well, it seems neither curse stories, or WWII stories, or archaeologist stories are in favor with editors, so those manuscripts went nowhere. How-some-ever, I talked to my agent a couple of days ago and proposed another idea, and the bottom line is, she and I both feel this will be The One. As it was before I got published, getting published (again) is all about the right story hitting the right editor's desk at the right time.

Note to aspiring authors: Please keep this in mind as you face rejection after rejection. Even published authors get rejected, and sometimes by their own editors! With each new book you write, whether you have an editor or not, it's all about the Right story hitting the Right editor's desk at the Right time. It doesn't mean you're a bad writer or lack talent - it only means that particular story isn't what they're looking for at the moment. So hang in there and keep trying; never give up!

That's it for today. I've got to finish crocheting my cast-cozy (kidding!) . . .

Marianne