Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Celebrating the good stuff

I feel like this is a life goal as much as a writing goal, but Molly reminded me one day last week that I should get better at celebrating the good stuff. She scolded me a little. And I deserved it.

In this business, more than most, we get enough opportunities to learn how to accept criticism and disappointment. And over time, for me anyway, it's become harder to celebrate the good stuff, because it starts to feel like it's just a matter of time until the other shoe drops.  Which makes me feel like such a negative person. And that's not who I want to be.

So, the good stuff!

CINDERELLA: NINJA WARRIOR
Cinderella: Ninja Warrior (Twisted Tales, #1)

I have TWO books coming out in just over two months. They are building a little buzz in the book blogger world and on goodreads. Close to 200 people have added the books to their shelves, I get several google alerts every week that people have mentioned one or the other book on their blog, and for a book that's not even out yet, from a small publisher, I think that's great. And most of the people who've reviewed or rated the books so far have actually liked them! Total strangers read and liked my books!



SLEEPING BEAUTY: VAMPIRE SLAYER
Sleeping Beauty: Vampire Slayer (Twisted Tales, #2)





And more good stuff:

Molly and I had a workshop accepted for RWA Nationals! (Thanks Molly for writing a fabulous proposal.)  This is fabulous for me for at least two reasons. 1) My books will be out, so an opportunity to get in front of other authors (who also read and have kids who read) and 2) I really want to go to RWA Nationals. I love the national conference, but was having a lot of trouble justifying the cost this year, especially since I'm not writing in the genre. But now I HAVE to go. So, yay!!

Again with Molly, I did a Romance 101 workshop for Toronto Romance Writers in early January and a producer from CBC Radio's books department was there and did a nice podcast on the event. Yay.

And finally, I've recently been reminded by how generous and fabulous other writers are. How willing some are to offer advice and help to a complete stranger. Most recently for me, this was demonstrated by NYT Bestselling YA author Cynthia Leitich Smith, whose latest book BLESSED was released yesterday. And yet, during what must be a busy week for her,  she was kind enough to tell that she was excited about my books (based on the titles) and offered to interview me on her blog. (Plus, she might come and do an interview here, too. Yay. No pressure Cynthia.)

I hereby promise to remember at least one good thing every day. Amen.

What's your good news? Please share. :)

16 comments:

Eileen said...

Did you hear the divine Joanne Levy sold her first book? I love when good things happen to people who deserve it.

Maureen McGowan said...

Yes! I've known for a few weeks, but was so excited when she finally went public, yesterday!!! Amazing. It's a great book. (Although I only read it in it's YA incarnation, I'm sure it rocks as a MG.)

Maureen McGowan said...

BTW. Eileen, I read your comment in my e-mail notice and thought, when did Eileen Rendahl meet Joanne? This really is a small, small world. Then I realized it was, Eileen Cook. :)

Anonymous said...

That's *so* great about the workshops and the C.L. interview!!! Woohoo, big things are-a-comin'!

Bev Katz Rosenbaum said...

Whoops, that last comment was from me--just forgot to enter my name!

Eileen said...

Eileen C. loves to mess with people. In the future, just so you know, she also answers to Shoop. :-)

Molly's right, by the way. I think I've robbed myself of so much joy by always finding the flaw in the situation.

So . . . congratulations! Fabulous news!

Anonymous said...

That is wonderful news. Congrats ont he workshop and the books coming out and to Joanne Levy.

And it is hard to remain positive, we need an upbeat DWT soon...

out of the wordwork said...

That is fabulous, Maureen!! I'm not surprised you're getting such great news lately. You've given so much to so many writers - now it's your turn! YAY!!
Nelsa

Jane Sevier said...

I can't think of a wiser or more fabulous person for such good things to happen to. Thank you for letting us share them. Here's to more and more to come.
Cynthia Leitich Smith is an Austin writer and definitely cool. Be sure to let us know when she interviews you.

Molly O'Keefe said...

See! This is all amazing stuff!it's such a stupid hard business and then when good stuff does happen, we're too stressed out about the bad stuff, or we're trying to seem humble, or we've just forgotten how to be proud of ourselves in a big way that we don't celebrate it!!! Remember when our critique group used to bring in champage every time someone finished a book? we need more champagne. Congrats to you good friend and talented writer - people love to celebrate what you've done because you're almost always the first one to do it for them.

Eileen said...

Aw, Molly, that made me tear up a little. Yes! Yay to Maureen!

Maureen McGowan said...

It did make me tear up. Thanks, Molly.

Maria Geraci said...

Congrats, Maureen! I'm still not sure if I'm going to NY but if I'm there I'll definitely be at the workshop;)

Good news? Well, I'm working hard on my new wip and the writing actually seems to be going well. I love being in the zone!

Marilyn Brant said...

Maureen, just wanted to say congrats again to you and Molly on the RWA workshop acceptance -- so excited for you!!! All that AND I'll finally get to read these 2 books soon -- that's good news from my POV as well ;). Looking forward to seeing you in NYC and celebrating in person!

Claudia said...

Yay, yay, yay, and yay!! You are so deserving of the good things coming your way, Maureen. You worked your butt off and you persevered when many would have given up. Celebrate indeed!

Kristi The Book Faery said...

That's awesome, Maureen! As you know, I've read both The Twisted Tales and fell in love with them both! You're such a talented writer and I was so fortunate to get my hands on those books!
You're keeping good company, too.
Cynthia Leitich Smith is fantastic, too! I just got my copy of Blessed a few days ago and haven't had a chance to start it yet but it's been staring at me since I got it. This is one of the few Non-Kindle books I bought.
I don't usually do that!
I hope you're having a wonderful time, Maureen, you deserve it!
Take care!

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