Tuesday, January 01, 2008

Happy New Year 2008

It has to be better than last year. It does. I hope it is. A lot of bad personal things happened to me in 2007. But I’m still here.

As for writing, it was definitely a bad year. There wasn’t much. I had to put 200 pages, that I’d mostly written in 2006, into a drawer. I didn’t know how to work the con therefore the novel had to be put away. I have a feeling I’ll take it out one day.

I made at least one other false start. Maybe two. I complained a lot. I might have even whined, sin of sins.

On a positive note I had a short story published in the anthology A Hell of a Woman, and the story was picked up for another anthology of the best crime stories of the year.

But that year is over. And this year I’m going to start a new novel. Next Monday. I still don’t have a title. Not quite true. I have a working title but I’m not mad for it. Still, I’ll be able to make a title page and that’ll give me the feeling that I’m going somewhere.

I like the idea for this book. As usual I don’t know if I can pull it off. I wonder how many writers know for sure they can pull it off when they start? I always have a touch of fear that it won’t work. But because I’ve had such trouble in the past year I’m more nervous than at other starts.

So, next Monday I’ll sit down here and hopefully write a few pages. If I write three that day I’ll be happy.

I know it’s not going to be easy. And I know it has to be one day at a time. That’s all I know.

6 comments:

mb said...

Happy New Year. I've been meaning to tell you that the mystery group at the seniors' apartment complex where my mom lives read _This Dame for Hire_. Mom liked it a lot. She says the dialog sounded just right, exactly New York exactly then. She should know, as she is 89 and directly remembers... Miriam B. in Port Angeles

Jessica Ferguson said...

Happy New Year, Sandra. Hope 2008 is all you want it to be...and more.

Sandra Scoppettone said...

Thank you, Jess. Same to you.

mb: Tell your mother to read the next one: Too Darn Hot. And thank her for me.

Picks by Pat said...

Good Luck Sandra!
Maybe this time next year we'll be awaiting the publication of your latest novel.
By the way, I read your story in "A Hell of A Woman" and was completely caught off guard by the ending. I went back through the story to see if I missed anything that should have tipped me off, but I didn't. These days, when people are trained to look for the "surprise ending", you still managed to pull it off. O. Henry would be proud. I'd tip my hat to you, if I was wearing one!
Pat

Sandra Scoppettone said...

Pat-No matter what happens you won't be finding a book from me next year at this time. It takes a lot longer than that to get from FINISHED manuscript to printed book. But thanks for the good wishes.

Glad you liked the story.

Iva said...

Dear Sandra,
I wish you the best in the New Year! Buon Anno Nuovo!
Baci, Iva