Tracking the Story

Tracking has become my friend. Years ago, I became obsessed with how fast my stories got to its intended location when I started looking for agents. I NEED TO KNOW that my stories got there. I sent a piece off to my agent for his review.

Detailed Results:
Delivered, January 23, 2010, 9:46 am, NEW YORK, NY 10010
Arrival at Post Office, January 23, 2010, 9:03 am, NEW YORK, NY 10010
Processed through Sort Facility, January 21, 2010, 5:35 pm, LOS ANGELES, CA 90052
Acceptance, January 21, 2010, 1:42 pm, LOS ANGELES, CA 90017

So my agent got my story. What's taking him so long to get back to me?!?!?!

Fire under my ass

Y'know, there's nothing like a little firm direction to get you going. Years ago, I was dragging my butt on finishing my first novel "Letters to Montgomery Clift." For three years, I looked at it and put it away, looked at it and put it away. I found myself in a writing class taught by Mona Simpson. She told me to finish it and I had the ending done in one month.

I'd been working on two books, a collection of short stories and a novel. I'd been flip-flopping between them for two years. Out of the blue my agent called and asked me how I was doing. He wanted to know when he would see my next book. I sort of panicked. I told him that I'd get pages to him...soon.

It's not that I'm afraid of my agent. I just really respect him and his agency. Within a week, I prepared part of a manuscript and shipped it off to him. Now, I'm waiting for notes.

In the last week, I've readied the first 50 pages of my novel for him to read as well. It's amazing how a little pressure does wonders.