January 30, 2010

Sunday Scribblings 200: Milestones


Two years ago...

For the first time in months, my sister and I were out on the town without kids.  We chatted non-stop and ate leisurely in an upscale restaurant.  The cell phone rang; it was my husband.

"Hello?"

"Hey," he said.  "You got a letter."

"Honey, can't this wait?" I asked, irritated by an interruption about mail.

"Well, it's from a magazine."

I sighed.  "It's probably just another rejection but go ahead and read it."

Papers rattled on the other end of the phone.  My sister watched with curiosity.

"Okay," he said.  "The first part's just formal stuff."

"Skip it."

"Hmmm."

"What?"

"They want to buy your story."

"WHAT?"  I dropped my fork.

He chuckled.

"Are you kidding?  Cause that's not funny."

"I'm not kidding. They want your story.  They've even got the amount they're going to pay you."

"Let me call you back," I said, feeling jittery and queasy.  A scream threatened to erupt but I held it in.

"What is it?" my sister asked.

"An acceptance!"  I whispered.  "I gotta--" I pointed outside.

She laughed and hurried after me.

As soon as we reached the sidewalk I let out a scream. And in spite of stares, I jumped around and danced a victory dance.  This cemented it for me.  I was a writer.

P.S.  Check out the contest at Kid Lit today!

28 comments :

  1. Fab-u-lous!!!! I could not be happier for you, Catherine. This is wonderful news. Celebrate it! :-)

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  2. Alice, yes it was. :)
    Shannon, it was my first acceptance. It WAS wonderful news and I still celebrate it. :)

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  3. I was alone in my house when I got my first story acceptance. I jumped up, danced around and shouted, Thank you Jesus. I was a great feeling.

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  4. That's a memory I would play over and over in my head. Affirmation!!

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  5. WOO-HOO!! Yay for you, congrats!! So happy for you!

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  6. Phew, that's a good milestone story!

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  7. That was a mega milestone. Your exuberance was excusable. No wonder you are a winged writer, a screaming Pegasus perhaps?

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  8. Talk about awesome! I bet you were walking three feet off the ground!

    I think I just got my shot of inspiration for the day. Thanks Catherine, for sharing your story.

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  9. Diane, I'm glad I'm not alone! :)
    DL, lol Not a bad idea.
    Brenda, thanks. :)
    Andy, it's definitely one of those markers I'll never forget.
    OldEgg, screaming Pegasus--I love it!
    Jon Paul, I couldn't stop smiling the entire night.

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  10. And what a fantastic milestone that is! I can imagine I'd jump about too. Thanks for your visit also - I am glad it was a positive end too..Jae

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  11. Wowww, what an uplifting story. I can't stop smiling! Thank you for sharing this one :) :)

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  12. What a wonderful feeling. I've--like you--suffered through rejection slips, but never thought of making a collage with them...except the natural collage they make as they paper mache your ego. Hang in there.

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  13. Milestones don't come better than that! I'm still smiling for you!

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  14. I love hearing about these moments. It gives me hope.

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  15. Congratulations - great to be accepted.

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  16. jaerose, yes acceptance=jumping. It's in the writer handbook.
    Diane, I know, my family kept asking me what I was smiling about until they got tired of the same answer.
    Lilibeth, I'll keep plowing through rejections to get more of these happy moments.
    Keith, I agree. Thanks.
    GWOE, so glad it does (me too!).

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  17. this made me happy! i hope the acceptance letters are still coming stong.

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  18. YAY YAY YAY YAY!
    So many congratulations!!

    Tell us where we can read it! :)

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  19. Tricia, they're not coming as strongly as I'd like. lol
    SarahAnn, I will!
    Shelli, thanks. :)

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  20. Hey, great news! i remember that first one. It's a milestone to treasure.

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  21. Such an adorable blog!!! I love it!!! I look forward to future posts!

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  22. Oh how exciting for you, that was a great milestone.

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