After the Fire

For some time now, I've been trying to decide what to do with She Bears a King, my first novel. Wrote it in 2006, it's about a contemporary woman who becomes pregnant by Jesus Christ, who has become a mega-celebrity living in Hollywood. Needless to say, it's a hard sell for a first book from an unestablished writer. After getting mildly discouraged after the first fifty rejection letters (no joke -- I counted), I decided that a re-write was in order. More ideas had developed in my mind, and I had a better sense of the book's themes and how they should really be presented. So I metaphorically set fire to my book, burning through the clutter and letting the story's structure reveal itself. Now, I find myself with a charred draft that needs attention before it's reader-ready again, but unable to stop pushing forward relentlessly with my current project, You Know Me, Etc. I keep going back and forth -- divide my time and focus between the two, or let the remains settle for a while. I can still visit the burnt out frame if I want to.

THE HOUSEWIFE

Tonight I published the 11th issue of Cliterature, THE HOUSEWIFE. It was a special pleasure because one it marks the first time one of the contributors, Michelle Valentonis, has published. One of my favorite parts of editing and publishing an on-line journal is introducing new writers to the community by publishing first-timers.

Can't blame a girl for liking to pop someone else's publishing cherry.

Anyway, check out the new issue to see some pretty kickass new writing and artwork by myself and others who have thoughts and considerations about THE HOUSEWIFE.

(Check out this adorable magazine cover I found from 1912!)