Keeping warm
I was giddy last week when I found a brand new flannel nightgown for myself during a quick trip to one store in the mall, ultimately to return something. I have trouble with nightgowns. I don’t like anything itchy or scratchy, I don’t like fleece or that anti-flammable slippery fabric or anything on which water beads. I don’t like tags or seams in the wrong places. And I’m short, so getting something long means it’s short for someone else.
But there it was, and it was looking just the way I thought a flannel nightgown should.
Ah the buttons, puffy sleeves and yoke.
How can I put this? My children were mortified. More accurately, they were hysterical. My son smiled a little Icannotbelieveyou smile and my daughter made me promise not to wear it 1) when her friends were in the house and 2) even under my coat when I drive her to school even if I am not getting out of the car.
It is somewhat Little House on the Cul-de-sac, but still, the purpose is warmth, not fashion.
We see the very same nightgown in two different ways.
It was all a reminder that we process things differently. Sometimes we choose to see something in a certain way. My kids are teenagers. They can’t help but abhor the nightgown. My daughter will wear mismatched pajama tops and bottoms and add striped knee socks for effect, but the nightgown? Over. The. Edge. Her perception of it is totally different than mine. Part of her perception is for the purpose of self-preservation. She does not want to be embarrassed. And as much as that sometimes amuses me, I would not and will not wear the nightgown when it would embarrass her.
Which brings us back to writing. Doesn’t it always?
I was talking to a writer-friend about the state of the publishing industry and the need to just be brighter and better and catchier and more resilient. She said, “They’re not buying ANYTHING. Nothing is selling. It’s a horrible time to try to sell a book.”
We see the state of publishing in two different ways.
I was not in the mood to argue, but I knew that her perception was all about self-preservation since she has books that haven’t sold. I also know she doesn’t read Publisher’s Marketplace, where you can see without too many clicks that 602 book “deals” were made in November 2008. That includes foreign rights, film rights and crosses genres, but still. Six-Oh-Two.
She’s feeling pretty cool toward the publishing industry right now, and I get it. It’s easier to blame them than to embarrass herself (to herself) and admit she might just have not hit the mark this time or the time before.I think we’re better served to keep our thoughts on the cozy side for an industry we want to sustain us. I know that her viewpoint is making her feel better, but it’s not getting her any closer to being published. In her case it has her miserable, stalled and resentful.
I say: Warm thoughts and better writing. And of course, flannel nightgowns.
How do you keep from growing cold toward publishing?
I’ve read so many things on the publishing industry lately, and while a lot of it is depressing, there are still agents & editors telling us not to give up hope. I did just read an article saying that debut writers might want to consider using ’09 to polish their novel to perfection, and I suppose that is an option.
I choose to believe I have a book that agents will WANT to have, despite the economy.
I could never wear a nightgown like that. I get claustrophobic with too much fabric swirling around my legs.
I’m with you, Melanie. Oh, and that’s why they make flannel pants!! Anyway, you’re in Mexico. You don’t need flannel!!
Amy
Writers should never give up hope. People hire us for our creativity, and now, with the recession looking like a roadblock, we need to find more creative ways to plow through it. That said, it’s not just the economy that’s making it a challenge to get published. Competition for ink is fierce these days, what with so many talented writers and bloggers seeking publication. Again, be your best creative self. I just posted a blog on a fabulous book on creativity — a book every writer should read!
Amy, I don’t even go there and I keep writing. I suppose I’ll have a different perspective once I’ve got an agent and we’re shopping the book. However, until then, ignorance is bliss and I’m just enjoying my story. Plus, we’re living in the best country on earth in fairly good times (even with the economy, etc.). Bush is leaving, Obama’s coming in. Like Monty Python says: always look on the bright side of life!
(PS: Hate the nightgown, although I have one exactly like it in a Catholic school girl plaid my sister gave me several years ago. Now, that nightgown rocks!)
Cindy, I’ll have to go check out that book. Be your best creative self is never bad advice!
Debbie, My “actual” nightgown has light blue stripes, but you know you have take what you can get with freebie photos online! And ignorance is bliss is the only way to keep on going. You’re a smart cookie. But we already knew that.
Amy
Oh, how romantic! I think a flannel nightgown is lovely. Does that make me an uncool dork, too?
LOL!
I don’t know. I focus on the readers. They need stories to uplift them, or help them escape right now. So I provide, and trust someone will buy.
I am on the same side as your kids. Those ruffles would drive me nutty.
My daughter would throw me out if I bought that! Then again, she might like it better than the shirt with holes and boxer shorts I wear to bed. I am also very particular about what I wear to bed, and it’s hard to find just the right replacement!
Wear that granny gown with pride, girl, since you already bought it, but please do avail yourself of fashion statements which go day-to-night such as sweats and scrubs. (And if those kidlets get too sassy, tell ‘em I’m letting you borrow some of my costumes to wear to carpool, school, the pediatrician’s, etc.)
I keep warm by knowing some.how, some.way, I’m going to one.day get an agent and sell my book. Not wasting time and negative vibes thinking otherwise. Besides, there are always the small publishers and indies. ha!
Besides looking like a Sister Wife I love the gown. We used to wear them in college because we lived in a co-ed dorm and they allowed us the luxury of wearing our pjs and not exposing our lady parts. I would wear them and wash them until they felt like a whisper.
All natural fibers are key too. I made the mistake of getting fleece pjs a couple of years ago and ended up feeling like one of those high school wrestlers who wear plastic suits to make weight. Hey…on second thought…
So sad about newspapers but think of writing this way: we can’t be replaced by a computer.