Literary Agents

Should I be surprised when a 'big-name' agent displays an unprofessional attitude?

Or should I shrug and say, Oh, well, they are human, too.

When agents post nasty comments, sometimes poking fun at their prospective clients, it smacks of hubris or the god-complex of the famous. Or getting a little too big for their britches, as my grandma would say.

At this stage I should not be surprised, I suppose, to see the snide comments made by some agents on their blogs or in a workshop. We all post things, say things, that we wish to heaven we could take back, and as the proverb says, if you keep your mouth shut, you won't put your foot in it.

Discretion, in all things, I suppose is the better road, because once it is said, you can't unring that bell.

I will not name any particular agent. To do so would be to stir the pot and create more of what I feel is wrong-headed, namely a case of the nasties. And I prefer to assume they were immediately sorry and fervently wish they could take it all back.

One agent comes to mind, however, who seems polite and gentlemanly at all times. He doesn't represent my genre - I forgive this transgression - but to the best of my knowledge is always unfailingly kind in all postings, blogs, and workshops. No names here either, but his name begins with an 'N' and ends with a Bransford.

He seems like a nice guy all around - well, except for the genre preference. *Grin*

Oh, my…I guess this proves my theory: Thinking about posting in my blog will not automatically transfer said thoughts into type-written words.

And I have/had so much to say.

Like:

I highly recommend the newest Jim Butcher novel, Changes. Excellent as always.

And Silver Borne by Patricia Briggs, ditto.

These series follow the lives of Harry Dresden, wizard PI and Mercy Thompson, a sometimes mechanic and all-the-time shape shifter. Both of these series have remained true to their beginnings and, unlike some fantasy, do not bog down under subplots that become cumbersome and confusing.

An example of the last is the Wheel of Time series by the late Robert Jordan. What started so promising and fresh became laden with who-cares stuff about minor characters. The descriptions, while colorful, are the sticky-clay that causes my wheels to spin and my fingers to flip to the last page of the books.

The best series leave me in mourning when I turn the last page, wishing for more.

Wheel of Time novels make me wish they would end.

"I Drive Like a Cullen"

Sixteen months ago, I had a life-changing event.

Thankfully, not the kind where tragedy strikes or health conditions smack a person upside the head.

Nope. It was a good one; an event that made several differences in my life.

I lost seventy (yes, children, seven oh) pounds.

I began to exercise. I could hardly walk around the block, now I run 2 miles a day and lift weights.

I began to write.

The clue to my phenom makeover is in the title/subject of this posting.

Those who don’t know what I am talking about, ah, well. Never mind.
To those who recognize the clue I gave, let’s smile that knowing-grin together

Horatio Hornblower & Tavi/Dresden

Jim Butcher has a new addition to his Dresden Files coming out April 6 named, Changes. An excellent series, his stories of the modern day wizard fighting crime and various nefarious characters is about as mesmerizing as a tale can get and I recommend this most highly.

His epic fantasy books of The Codex Alera, the story of Tavi and his adventures, are also magnificent and I dearly hope he can continue this series as well.

Now, you may have noticed the reference to Horatio Hornblower in the title. These books, written by C. S. Forester beginning in the 1930s, were about a seaman who was courageous and firm, showing nothing except his strong will to his officers and sailors. But in his mind, he is craven, weak, and he second-guesses himself at every turn. That his bravery and cleverness is without par has nothing to do with his achievements, he thinks. It is all luck or because of the circumstances.

He feels he could always have done better if he had only tried harder.

Hornblower, Tavi, and Dresden; all are the same. Heroes in everyone’s mind but their own.

Thanks to Jim Butcher for these wonderful books.

The Ditch, or How I Spent My Weekend

I don't care who you are, if the sewer backs up into your basement, even the wonderful fascination with the world of writing will take second place in your attention.

Turned out, it wasn't something simple - the definition of 'simple' I will leave to the reader. It was the massive mulberry tree, some seventy years old, and its tenacious root system. That is it, the tree standing in the center and looking proud of its achievement.

After the chainsaws and dozer fell silent, the backhoe moved in and the result is a big ditch with the new piping system laid by yours truly and her industrious hubby.

The mischievous tree we left; smiling its smug grin.