Another Friday Comes and Goes

It's been two weeks since submitting a revised ending to the agent who requested changes to the last chapter of Julia Milan (more Audrey, more explanation of Ben as shooter, and more resolution). In the meantime, I have four full manuscripts and five partial manuscripts still outstanding. I've sent 130 queries total, but haven't sent any new ones since mid-November. I have about 80 agents left to query and may start doing that next week as a way of keeping myself busy.

I've noticed on querytracker.net that once a writer receives an offer and gives word to other agents with partials and fulls, the manuscript is immediately read and counter offers are often made. It's really something. With no offer, nothing happens, but when an offer is made all hell breaks loose.

I bought a Kindle over the holidays and love it. What a sweet little device. I'm reading "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" right now. I've downloaded six Dickens novels, some Jack London, Chekov, and Mark Twain. I can see why ereaders are the future. The screens are clear and the device is small and light. I love carrying an entire library of classics in my coat pocket.

I've been reading a great biography of Richard Yates that came out in 2003 and it's fascinating. I wasn't aware just how autobiographical his stories were. It's amazing he was able to write anything considering how much he drank. Wow. He rivals Fitzgerald for crazy drunken debauchery.

I saw "The King's Speech" and loved it, saw "Black Swan" and loved it, saw "True Grit" and really loved it. I hope to see "Blue Valentine" this weekend.

Club One Fall Finals

I took the Club One Racquetball title again, beating Tyrone 15-9, 15-8 in a match that wasn’t as close as it could have been. T was off a bit and lacked some of the hunger that he usually brings to big games. He left his shots up and skipped several balls. He didn’t put shots away and let me off the hook throughout the match. I lob served about 80% of the time and T set me up many times. He made a nice run toward the end of the first game and the beginning of the second game, but aside from those two instances he was pretty much contained. There was a good size crowd and Alice, Richard, Lisa, Trey, Gerrad, Miles, Sophie, and Neil were there to cheer me on. That was the most satisfying part of the evening I think, seeing everyone there. Aaron K showed up and all the morning racquetballers were there. I worked hard for this repeat title and it feels good having that second plaque hanging inside my office cubicle.