Emily, Oh I’d like to meet you in that bookstore and talk books and buy books and then go sit and read books. Someday….

Mary– ‘splaining, indeed.

BF — Plugging away, that is what I’m all about.

Sandi, I’m looking forward to that toast. (And your new book cover is very fun — I’m going over there to say that in a minute….)

Archie, I do, in fact, aspire to wicked. Wicked anything, really. Wicked plugging away at present is my mode of operation.

Hey Ms. Sofa Dweller — Frabjous — I’m working that into conversation today, written or spoken, it does not matter. Thank you for the good wishes.

Courtney — It’s seeming to me that there’s an awful lot of diligent, good writing going on out there. How great is that? I mean, look at you, going to town on your novel, and others doing the same. It’s very inspiring.

Dear Fiona, I never thought it would be okay to not only be rejected to so often, but to publicly chronicle the whole thing. I think the reason it’s okay is because I’ve realized that the people I really like (which includes everyone who comments here) don’t think you’re a dweeb because of it. We all put ourselves out there and we all of us are shot down, so I don’t think I’m all alone in this. (And please, don’t tell me if I am!)

W — Eyes! hey, you need those to whip those books you work on into shape. Uncross them, missy! Fingers & toes, though are A-OK.

Pete — Thumbs? Thank you! I’m sure that, along with the other toes, fingers, eyes, and other things being crossed will just about do the trick. And if it doesn’t, well, that’s my own fault, don’t you think?

if you just keep plugging away…

Dear Dorothy — one of my boys asked me this morning if I’m ever going to earn enough money as a writer to buy him a drum set. So, you can see, there’s a lot riding on the James Jones Fellowship! I figure if I don’t win, that’s okay, because I have a good excuse to say no to the drum set and if I do win I can buy a really good pair of noise cancelling headphones. Win/Win, don’t you think?

Ms. Mum — It’s true, I am pretty thrilled. I like most things about the submissions process — well, I am not actually a big fan of the rejection part — but I’m learning to deal with that without too much self-pity. But one thing I love is knowing that people I don’t know are reading stuff I’ve written and they’re not totally gagging and throwing the book down and running out of the room.

Dear Ingrid, Yes indeed. It is determination that gives talent a push. That combination of determination and talent is, for example, how your films are getting made and your scripts are getting written. That and good cafes in which to write and dream. I’ll bet it’s lovely in London right now — I wish I was there, going to a movie!

Thank you, Cam. If luck comes it will be entirely through good wishes like yours, and I’m grateful to you for supplying them. xoxo, L

Pauline, and I’m looking forward to hearing about YOUR good news, long in gestation, but soon arriving.

Litlove, I’m going to go out on a limb here and guess that if there is any rich and famous thing happening it probably won’t be me! But I’ll settle for occasionally compensated and not notorious. Someday there will also be parties, don’t you think? Where blog people get together in someone’s salon and drink Pimms and lemonade and eat massive slices of chocolate cake.

Edwin, it’s true, isn’t it? The whole thing takes a long, long time to even begin to get going. And you, sir, have been around for most of that time. For which I thank you and send you my love, L

Mari, you are a sweetheart. Thank you. The finger and toe thing? Very helpful. xo, L