I was talking to
my dear friend, Julie today. She was at work and I was at home doing my usual writing/editing/Twitter tinkering .
Julie: "Okay, don't say anything else interesting cause I have to get back to work."
Me: "Fine. I have nothing more to say."
We burst out laughing.
Me: "I think that may be the funniest thing I've ever said!"
Julie: "No doubt!"
And, hence, a new blog post was born...
Do you have friends like that - people you talk to when you don't think you have much to say, and the next thing you know, you've been talking for an hour? (Yes, guys, you do it, too. Admit it. It won't kill you.) Friends like these are treasures, which reminds me of a song I wrote years ago.
I'd moved to California from Colorado to pursue my musical dreams. I was feeling homesick and lonely, missing the ones I loved most in the world. My parents had sent me a diamond necklace for my 21st birthday. So, what's a lonely songwriter to do? I wrote a song. Here are a couple of verses:
DIAMONDS
I'm taking my mind to a simpler time
Trying to find the love tha
t I left far behind me...
Running back home where the snow sometimes falls,
Finding shelter in the arms of it all
And I'm knowing our ties won't be severed with time
That's a wonder, I'll treasure it like a diamond...in my mind
You are my diamonds, I find
So hold me closer to you, closer all the time
Know I do love you Yes, I love you all the time...
It's a simple, age-old message: treasure those you love, especially family and friends, and make sure they know it.
IN OTHER NEWS...
I had a beautiful follo
w-up conversation on the phone today with an agent I greatly admire. She told me she loved my writing and thinks my dialogue is funny and snappy. To hear words like that from someone who knows what good writing is, is a certifiable dream come true. I've still got work to do, and I'm looking forward to doing that work.
Whether or not this agent and I are "meant to be" remains to be seen, but I do know one thing. Don't stop pursuing your dreams. (Cue Journey: Don't Stop Believin') There are many wonderful agents out there who care deeply about the art of writing and about nurturing careers. When each of us is ready, we will find that "perfect agent
" - the one who "gets" our writing and is inspired enough to go to bat for it.
Until then, hang in there, my friends! Your day, and hopefully mine, will come. Get out your laptops or notebooks and keep practicing your craft. One thing I know for certain is that successful writers have one thing in common: They write. A lot.
my dear friend, Julie today. She was at work and I was at home doing my usual writing/editing/Twitter tinkering .Julie: "Okay, don't say anything else interesting cause I have to get back to work."
Me: "Fine. I have nothing more to say."
We burst out laughing.
Me: "I think that may be the funniest thing I've ever said!"
Julie: "No doubt!"
And, hence, a new blog post was born...
Do you have friends like that - people you talk to when you don't think you have much to say, and the next thing you know, you've been talking for an hour? (Yes, guys, you do it, too. Admit it. It won't kill you.) Friends like these are treasures, which reminds me of a song I wrote years ago.
I'd moved to California from Colorado to pursue my musical dreams. I was feeling homesick and lonely, missing the ones I loved most in the world. My parents had sent me a diamond necklace for my 21st birthday. So, what's a lonely songwriter to do? I wrote a song. Here are a couple of verses:
DIAMONDS
I'm taking my mind to a simpler time
Trying to find the love tha
t I left far behind me... Running back home where the snow sometimes falls,
Finding shelter in the arms of it all
And I'm knowing our ties won't be severed with time
That's a wonder, I'll treasure it like a diamond...in my mind
You are my diamonds, I find
So hold me closer to you, closer all the time
Know I do love you Yes, I love you all the time...
It's a simple, age-old message: treasure those you love, especially family and friends, and make sure they know it.
IN OTHER NEWS...
I had a beautiful follo
w-up conversation on the phone today with an agent I greatly admire. She told me she loved my writing and thinks my dialogue is funny and snappy. To hear words like that from someone who knows what good writing is, is a certifiable dream come true. I've still got work to do, and I'm looking forward to doing that work.Whether or not this agent and I are "meant to be" remains to be seen, but I do know one thing. Don't stop pursuing your dreams. (Cue Journey: Don't Stop Believin') There are many wonderful agents out there who care deeply about the art of writing and about nurturing careers. When each of us is ready, we will find that "perfect agent
" - the one who "gets" our writing and is inspired enough to go to bat for it.Until then, hang in there, my friends! Your day, and hopefully mine, will come. Get out your laptops or notebooks and keep practicing your craft. One thing I know for certain is that successful writers have one thing in common: They write. A lot.
38 comments:
I have nothing to say. Nothing. Except, well, one thing. Friends like that are like gold. There is nothing better than laughing so hard that your eyes leak.
One thing more; no, that's it. Really. Oh yes, there is one thing more. Wishing you well with this agent. If it's meant to be, it will happen. Or you could bribe him/her. You never know.
That's it. I have nothing to say.
Elspeth
Great lyrics. Wishing you luck in having all your dreams come true dear friend. (Hugs)Indigo
What a great post! Funny and inspiring at the same time. Congrats on the compliments from the agent. I hope it works out for you.
Love you bunches! And thanks for letting me be part of your writing and life journeys. You are too fabulous.
Hi Debra-
I laughed out loud when I read your post. I have a dear friend with whom I share a similar relationship as well as a few nieces. There is nothing like laughing with them. It is the elixir I need some days.
Congrats on the feedback from the agent. I'm excited for you and hope one day soon to be able to post something similar.
GOOD LUCK you song writer you!
I hope your dream comes true. You've definitely got the positive energy to make it happen. You'll find the right match. And yes,to be a successful writer you have to write a lot.
Happy writing!
Yes, to all the writers out there, I say never stop believing in your own talent. And if you don't find an agent who "gets" you, find your audience and get your masterpiece out there yourself. You can do it!
Dear Debra,
I have no good response. Let's discuss that for a while. What do you say?
--Ray.
Elspeth, You are a big ball of nothingness. It's one of the things that makes you so darn interesting!
Indigo, Glad you like the lyrics. I knew you'd "get it."
Susan, Funny & inspiring - what a great combo! If you think I've achieved that, then thank you very much. And I'll let you know how the agent thing works out...
Julie, Love right back atcha, gf!
Stephanie, Thank you so much for your lovely words. They put a sweet smile on my face. ;-)
Paul, Thanks for your comment. It's so nice to see you here! I do my best to stay positive and support my wonderful writer friends.
Linda, I'm glad things are going so well w/your self-publishing. I hope you sell thousands of copies!!
Ray, I love talking about nothing. Just ask my mom. Or my husband. Or my sisters. Or my kids. Or Julie. Or....
Lovely song, Debra! My sister and I are just like that - and we talk almost every day.
I have another friend I see only rarely - once every couple of years or so. She doesn't do internet, so we probably only talk once a year. And we talk forever :) You'd think we'd run out, but not a chance!
Thanks for the pep talk!
Jemi, My sisters are my best friends. They're simply awesome. Female friends, family or otherwise, are priceless. ;-)
Paul, Any time, my friend. ;-)
Pretty good for having nothing to say.
Too bad I'm all commented out for the day. :)
Happy writing.
Sharon, Seeing you & your sweet puppy is a treat in itself. You can come back tomorrow and comment. ;-)
What a wonderful post! And certainly one that gave me hope as I'm still waiting to hear back from an agent. When one is feeling..uncertain...it helps to know others are going through the same thing. Here's hoping you find your perfect agent!
Catherine
What the hell is Twitter tinkering and is that the same as tinker twittering?
Catherine, Good for you! I hope you hear good news. And, yes, it certainly helps to know we're not each alone on our little writing islands. ;-)
mo, I just can't get anything past you, can I? Tweeter tinkering is an ancient form of communication, similar to the morse code.
Thanks for the words of encouragement!!
Karen, I'm so glad I made a difference for you today. Your kind words are always appreciated. FYI: If you want to hear some of our music, click on the "Wanna Hear Me Sing" link on the side of my blog. Karma Chain is the band name and Jamie Keys is my stage name, but that's really me singing. ;-)
Amy, You're welcome, my friend!
Ooh, an agent conversation is promising news indeed! Good luck with it.
Wendy, Yes, it was wonderful. I'm hoping I'm on the right track... ;-)
The thing about really good friends who know you well is that you can always talk...even if it's about nothing.
My name is Penny, I like baking, reading, and people who fight on tv. I'm looking for a long term relationship with an agent who thinks I'm better than Juno and Alfred Hitchcock combined!And- I enjoy Italian food and orange tulips!
Call me!!!! :)
My BFF and I are on the phone every day now-we've become co-dependent, but I don't think it's bad if both people are willing participants! :) Just last Sunday, I was cleaning and we talked for 4 hours about...stuff...I don't even know what. She's the only person I can interrupt, switch subjects, and bitch to any time I want. She does the same. I think if we lived next door to each other, we'd live like conjoined twins-they'd have to put a covered tunnel from one house to the other!
WW, No doubt! And, often times that's exactly what it's about - NOTHING!!! ;-)
Penny, I have a feeling if you and I lived closer, it'd be the same thing.
I'll put the word out on the street for an agent who wants a Juno/Hitchcock writer who likes Italian food and orange tulips. Get ready for a barrage of phone calls. ;-))
Nothing more to say? Yeah, that'll never happen :)
Do you watch Glee? They do a great version of "Don't Stop Believing" (although I love the Journey original, too).
Sherrie, I've never seen "Glee" although I've heard it's all the rage. And, not having something to say? Nope. Never gonna happen. ;-)
They DO have that in comment. Beautifully said!
Also, the sock puppets are made of win. Do they have names?
Ruthanne, The sock puppets names are Beavis and Butthead. Oh wait. Those names are taken. How about Ren and Stimpy? Yeah, that's it! Ren and Stimpy!!! Okay, fine, I know, I know... taken. How about Bill and Steve?
What a wonderful and inspiring post. You are right to point out that there are people out there who treasure good writing and that anyone who is passionate about writing should just keep plugging away. I must say that when I sat down to write LIFE AFTER YES (love writing that!), I was in a total bubble. I had no idea how hard it was - statistically speaking - to publish. I didn't feel any true anxiety. I just wrote and wrote and wrote. I think there is something to this, to protecting ourselves from the deluge of information while just plugging away.
Your voice is refreshing because it is laced with confidence and optimism. Great stuff. yet again.
Aidan, Thank you. Your words, eloquent as always, mean so very much. ;-)
What beautiful lyrics!
I laughed out loud at the cartoon, and I'm snagging it so I can...put it on Facebook. LMAO! Hugs, Beth
Beth, What's mine is yours, my friend. And I'm glad you like the lyrics - means a lot. ;-))
Love the lyrics!!!
It was so hard leaving behind my friends in So Louisiana when we moved here- but I needed to come back to my mountain roots....for the first time I feel Home...but, yes, those friends left behind *sob* --
and WHOOHOO on the agent comments-- like gold -- or diamonds!
Kat, Thanks! There's nothing more important in the world than family and friends. They are indeed our diamonds. ;-))
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