Well, well, hello my lovelies. i'm not really sure where this little posting will be headed today, but let us get started! well, to be honest, i've actually been working pretty diligently at writing this story i've been thinking about and am happy that i've been able to focus on sitting down and typing away as much as i have been! usually i get a bit ADD with things that are long and ongoing, and truthfully i've always WANTED to write a book, but have been daunted by the epic undertaking it seems. i get impatient knowing that it's not going to be finished, done, finito in a short amount of time and that the satisfaction of a job complete is months, possibly years down the line! i guess in short i kinda get overwhelmed with thinking how many pages and hours it is, and give up before i start! ugh..but u know what, that's NO WAY to do something and so i've set little goals for myself. right now i've decided to try to get in 1,500 words at least a day, and actually i've been able to do a lot more than that as i started writing on Monday and have hit the 10,000 word mark this afternoon. i know i'm gonna be waaaay more busy tho once i (hopefully get a job!!) so i'm trying to get ahead of the game figuring that i won't prolly be able to get in as much as i'd like in the near future.
along that vein, i had finished a 31,000 story not too long ago that i know is rough and needs some definite polishing, and as i've NEVER been published or anything and completely CLUELESS, delved into some hard core research. well, maybe not totally hard core, but i've been a bit overwhelmed with all that stuff and trying to take it bite by bite, but still finding i've bitten off one heck of a hunk of cheese that bigger than i can chew. but i sent out one query letter, and i was bummed that yesterday i got that beautifully automated denial :) haha...not that i didn't expect it, because i did, but still, u know, u hope. so i was thinking that since i'm so new at this, i'd post the letter i sent and would LUV any feedback, tips, and advice on how to improve it, and if u're really in a helpful mood, name any possible publishers to send it to, who you may know/worked with or in the market for that sort of thing...so here's the letter i wrote:
Dear (okay i wrote their names here):
I applaud your ‘green attitude’ toward submission queries, and am also a fan of both your site and blog. Having been given a rare opportunity to meet and befriend a diverse array of people through running and my job, I was inspired to write a 31,000 word manuscript entitled An Unsafe Haven, based on the lives of those living in Uganda. From personal stories related to me and additional knowledge collected, I have prepared something I feel would give readers a glimpse into an intriguing and troubled culture.
Growing up in tumultuous Uganda, a young girl is faced with the daunting task of caring for her younger sister and rebuilding their lives after losing her mother, brother, and most of her village to invading Rebel Armies. Cici must navigate her way from being an adolescent and into womanhood both prematurely and without the usual guidance of her mother to look up to. Being handed the sole responsibility of her young sister, whom she loves more dearly than anything else in the world, she views this not as a burden, but as an opportunity to give her young sibling a more sheltered and innocent childhood than she herself was able to experience.
Among the central internal conflicts and struggles of our young heroine, one is able to experience the numerous everyday tragedies, obstacles, and hardships facing the fellow villagers living in Uganda today. One can see the spirit with which these people undertake the sorrows that fill their days and capitalize on the possibilities of however small happiness, that each new day may bring. The dreams, aspirations, and success of a single member of the village can bolster the entire community and feed their souls in the way their meager food supply and belongings ever could.
While there are many different personal stories and paths of each character chronicled, they are all woven together, as life in such a close environment would. Despite the heartbreaking loss of so many lives and homes at the onset of the novel, which is all too common in present day Uganda due to such political unrest and violence, the human spirit works to triumph and once again find peace.
Although I have not yet become a published author, I have competed in scholastic competitions throughout my high school years, and competitions within my school. I am an eager learner and writing enthusiast and enjoy the challenge of improving my work and would be honored to be given your consideration.
Thank you very much for your time and I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
(Spunkychick)
well, folks i lay it on the cutting floor for u to dissect and welcome u to do so!! as i feel this post lacking in the needed humor department, i'll add a little tid bit. my favorite joke as a kid growing up, because i thought it was sooooo 'dirty' at the time, but now it's just lame, but what the heck:
'why did the elephant bring toilet paper to the party?'...
...'because he was a party pooper!!!!'
HAHAHAHA(insert charity laughs here, folks!!) okay, well it was an ongoing joke between my bro and i, and brings back good times....okay, hope ur doing well and at least surviving ur day!
Spunkychick
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