Monday, November 26, 2007

All I ask is this.

Question #1:

Is it to early to send out Christmas cards? Like, if you got a Christmas card from me within the next couple of days would you be all like, "For the love of Barry Bonds and cold Diet Pepsi, this woman has got to much time on her hands!"

Because this one time? I got a Christmas card the day after Thanksgiving. And I remember thinking, "DANG!" Or something.

Question #2:

If you were a person who harbored not-so-secret desires to be a writer and an opportunity came up to submit articles for possible publication would you go ahead and submit something EVEN KNOWING that the magazine is published and in limited release where your mother-in-law currently lives, AND knowing that getting published means your real name and real location will be published on the internet and you aren't quite sure how you feel about it?

Because, um, this is something I'm seriously considering as a way to get my foot in the door and I want to know if I'm making a huge mistake.

31 comments:

Ry said...

Don't know about #2, but I have already gotten an Christmas card, and I was all, "Awwww."

frannie said...

Go for it!!! this is getting your foot in the door! Sometimes we just have to bite the bullet and jump into the deep end! Go for it, Chicka!!!

and I would love to get a Christmas card from you-- even if it was May 14th.

CPA Mom said...

#1: I probably would say that but would still love the card (and hate the sender for being faster than me...just kidding...maybe...I AM on your list, right? RIGHT?

#2: Will the articles be connected to your blog or in any way lead anyone to your blog? If not, go for it. Email me the magazine name!

Kimberly Vanderhorst said...

1) As long as it arrives in December, it's all good. Christmas cards in November are trying too hard somehow.

2) Go. For. It. Self-doubt is the writer's curse (and you, my dear, are a writer). There will always be lots of reasons not to, but one big one in favour of. Money. Wait...I mean glory. No...umm...validation?

Blue Tissue Box said...

Question 1: Heck no! Mail those suckers out!

Question 2: Absolutely go for it. Do not let your MIL hold you back. If anything, this will be an in her face, "neiner!"

Honestly, what will she do if she knows where you live? Visit? *snort* What a wasted trip for her that would be!!

Do what you do Chick, and do it well. Don't let anything or anyone get in your way!

Anonymous said...

#1.....I may roll my eyes and be all "for the love of shoes, that's freaking early", but then I'd be all "holy CRAP, I need to get on the card ball!"

#2....GO FOR IT!! People need to read what comes from your brain!! I'm jealous. Happy, thrilled and dancing around for you, but jealous :)

Edie said...

#1 - I say wait until the cards will be delivered no earlier than Dec 1. :) I got one the day after Thanksgiving one time and I was like, "That's WAY too early!" :) Of course, I may just not be mentally prepared for Christmas yet.

#2 - Hell yeah, go ahead and submit it!! If this is what your heart desires, this is an excellent opportunity for you. The more you get published the better off you will be. First of all, your MIL may not even read it and if she does, she may be clueless enough not to know that you are the person that wrote it. She may just think there's another Chick out there. :) Secondly, as long as your photo, address, link to your blog aren't posted with this article on the internet, I think you're safe! :)

Good Luck... let us know what you decide on both!!

Unknown said...

#1 - I've already received a card, so no, it's not too early. I also wrote about half of mine out on the weekend, but have no plans to mail 'em yet :P

#2 - it is a way to get your foot in the door. Could you use a nom de plume??

Angie said...

Chelle had my thoughts exactly. . .only she used "french" to do it.

Decide a pen name. You don't have to use your REAL name. "Dear Abby" is now written by someone whos name is like Francine, or something.

GO FOR IT!!!

Christmas Cards? Not yet.

Twisted Cinderella said...

On both questions, I say go for it!!

Doug said...

1) Do it. Get that item checked off your to do list and anybody who complains is just jealous that they haven't finished them yet.

2) Assuming you get published ('cause you know, I *am* assuming that) you cannot tell us (The general public loving your journal) about it. No link to the publication, nothin to connect this blog to a spot that gives out your real identity.

E-mail those people you want to be able to read it. They will read and properly gush. They will know better than to link it in their journals and say it's you.

Denise said...

I would be cool with the card. I tape all of them on the back of my front door. As for the writing thing...... From one aspiring writer to another........ I would do it. I would do anything to get my book published :)

Dawn~a~Bon said...

1. I think as long as they arrive in December, then it's all good.

2. Does that hag even read? I'd go for it. If she gives you any trouble, I'LL CUT HER.

Amy W said...

1. Heck, since I saw decorations up before Thanksgiving, it's okay.

2. You better do it!!

Anonymous said...

On #1 - send them out whenever you darn well feel like. I guess if I (or anyone else, for that matter) feel stressed about my own failure to be on the ball with Christmas cards, then so be it. But I'm thinking it's just one more thing to check off your list and check off early, to boot!

On #2 - go for it. No question. Hands down. I like the pen name idea, too, but if you have to go with your real name and location, then I still say DO IT! I agree with whoever it was up there that thought it would be a great "neiner" to your MIL. You have talent -- do not let a crazy MIL ruin that for you!

Mrs. Booms said...

Um that's a double "Go for it" on my part, funny lady.

Thea @ It's Me Vs. Me said...

I got my first card today and I was jealous that the sender was already done with hers. Damn.

I'd say go for it, definitely, with the article. Do you have to submit a picture? Can you use a pen name??

Sarcasta-Mom said...

Send out the Chirstmas cards. Just do it. Be that person that makes the rest of us feel lame. Someone has to do it.

As for the writing gig, by God, TAKE IT! If there's anything I've learned being a wanna-be writer myself, is never to miss any chance to get printed. Do it! We promise not to stalk you once we find out your real name and location. lol.

Anonymous said...

1. I can't wait to get my first Christmas card!

2. Do it, what the hell do you have to lose? Screw the mother in law.

Pgoodness said...

Do it. Both of em. DO IT!!

KiKi said...

Well I don't celebrate Christmas, so I can't answer #1 but as for #2, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE write something. I'm new to your blog but I can't believe you're not already out there using a pseudonym or something. You are an awesome writer and I say go for it. (Nix mentioning the blog, though.)

M said...

A: I've been begging you to send out my card for WEEKS already

B: Um...I'd SO do it honey. SO SO SO do it.

Wenderina said...

For #2 Can i just say abso f-ing lutely??? Agree with others on trying a pen name if needed and not linking to it (without purging the blog firs!)

For #1...please...I'm not sure I even sent out last years cards yet.

SJINCO said...

#1 - Go for it! It's after Thanksgiving so technically it's the Christmas season.

#2 - GO FOR IT! This is your time to shine and get that foot wedged tightly in the door of opportunity. Don't let anyone, and I mean ANYONE trip you up. GO.FOR.IT!

NEVER AGAIN said...

See, I am such a bitch that I would not only submit under my actual name, I would make SURE to submit only horrifyingly embarrassing (for HER, not me) evil mother in law stories, and then I would buy a copy of the magazine and send it to her Fed-Ex signature required. And then, after my first book was published and I was on my countrywide book tour, I would use her real name on the cover of the book, (i.e. "Jason. For the Love of God." by Chick Smith, daughter in law of Jason's mother, Agnes Bitchface Smith.), and all the posters advertising the book. And I would send her an autographed copy of said book. Then, when I was invited on Oprah, I would request to have Dr. Phil as a special guest that day and have them invite my evil mother in law and then let Dr. Phil try to fix her.

Emma in Canada said...

Well I'm too late to answer number 2 but what you did is what I would have said. Yay for you!

ANd number one...since you already have them addressed you ought to send them out. Like yesterday.

my4kids said...

I'm late like Emma but I would say the same as her!

Number 1? I wish I could get things done that quick! My family would probably all die from heart attacks at getting Christmas cards before Christmas eve!

Julie said...

#1 - I think you should hold off mailing them until Dec. 1.

#2 - I see I'm late and you've already gone for it - yay!!!

Alpha Dude said...

I think you are an awesome writer and you should go for it.

P.S. Where's my Christmas card already?

Anonymous said...

We got cards in the mail the day after Thanksgiving. I love Christmas cards so they really can't arrive too early.

And of course you should submit our story. But since I'm late reading this I know you already have so I'll just say You Go Girl!!!!

Rachel (Crazy-Is) said...

I say go for it! You are a great writer, Chick! You have to put yourself out there somehow. And, when you publish your best selling novel, they will have your name on it. Or, you could use a pen name.