Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Snail Race

So, for the past month or so, I've been on a kick of comparing my publishing journey to classic board games.

I can't help it.
It's just how it feels like it is.

For example, there is the constant Chutes & Ladders nature of things.

And, (thank god), there are the sweet and delicious Candy Land moments.

But for the most part, it's way more simple than that.

I think I finally got it right. My journey in publishing? It's like playing the Snail's Pace Race game.

Have you ever?

Here, it looks like this, and is just as exciting as it appears:


I played this with my nephew years ago, when he was a babe, and I was a patient, first-time aunt. And,  quite frankly, even then, it made me want to poke my own eyes out with a stick.

You see, publishing is like that, people. It often makes you want to poke your own eyes out.

You spend half your life waiting, and the other three-quarters waiting. And, yes, my math is bad, but, no, it isn't that bad. It's true. You wait so long, you start to gain extra helpings.

So, this is me, waiting. This is me, fully engaged in the Snail's Pace Race, and I'm having a barrel of fun.

I have a book out on submission. If you want to read about it, you can here on my agent's newsletter, third listing down. He's pretty enthusiastic about its chances.

But, in the meantime, I'm waiting.

And, if you want to know what that's like, buy yourself that game up there, and just try to enlist a friend.

Oh, and have I mentioned there are no winners?

Or, if you have no friends, or would rather experience it now, without the hassle, watch the video below. It's really quite adorable.

But grab a stick. I'm telling you. You'll probably need it well before you make it through all eight minutes.


- gae

13 comments:

  1. At least a snail did cross the stick, and it's end results that count, right? In my seventeen years of waiting I've seen gained gray hair and two grandsons.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Gae, I think this is the first time I've seen a full description of Frankie Sky. It sounds marvelous!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Carole, you know of what I speak.

    Caroline, thanks. Let's hope so! <3

    ReplyDelete
  4. Gae, you never cease to delight me. I too am roaming around the game board leave trail of slime (and manuscripts) behind me.

    But, I know there is a finish line :-)

    ReplyDelete
  5. I love the way you write Gae. I wish you would write more.
    -- Your biggest fan

    ReplyDelete
  6. ah, Bett, how could I leave out the trail of slime. *wipes hers down with a Clorox Wipe.*

    Anonymous! Do tell who you are!!! Unless you're a creepy stalker person. ;) And, I'm trying. I've written LOTS more. It's just a matter of getting new agent to read it and/or sell it. *see, Snail's Pace Race game*

    ReplyDelete
  7. I am not a creepy stalker person. LOL. But I do admire the way you write, your sense of humor, and above all, your persistence.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Thank you. In this biz, persistence is everything. In life, a sense of humor. Thanks for reading me. <3

    ReplyDelete
  9. Well, you have both. You also have a beautiful gift as a writer. I hope you continue to pursue this. You have much to offer young people with your thoughts, words and stories. Have a great day.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I'm wondering what disturbed individual invented the Snail's Pace Race game. Whenever I'm asked about qualifications needed to be a published writer, I say lots and lots of patience. People think I'm exaggerating.

    By the way, Frankie Sky sounds awesome, and I know that it will eventually find the right home. So, put that stick down!

    ReplyDelete
  11. I like you so very much. Yes, it is about waiting. And I get that everyone has to wait so we're all in it together. But part of me thinks, would we accept this from other jobs? Other people? We send an email and hear back three months later? And is it because we're trying to be famous or break into a difficult industry? Because acting is like that and they get their "no, thank you" responses right away.
    Do you think Dr. Seuss was talking about publishing in Oh The Places You'll Go when he was talking about the waiting place?

    ReplyDelete
  12. I don't know, Christa. All I know is I'm still waiting. Waiting, waiting, waiting, waiting, waiting, waiting. Waiting, waiting, waiting, waiting, waiting, waiting, waiting, waiting, waiting, waiting, waiting, waiting. Waiting, waiting, waiting, waiting, waiting, waiting, waiting, waiting, waiting, waiting, waiting, waiting, waiting. Waiting. Wai-ting. Waaaah-ting.

    Man, I hate this freaking game. *sigh*

    ReplyDelete