Saturday, May 2, 2009

Karma and Writing

So, when it came time to send my manuscript snail mail to SSE I researched madly and questioned Rach (who'd had the same issue) about how to actually package it. Eventually it lead me to using 2 rubber bands and some card backing and popping the whole thing in an envelope.

BUT i had no rubber bands.

So off to the nearest shops (the only ones in walking distance which means they get a work out cos 3 kids are easier contained in some kind of pram device) I went. Found a bag of rubber bands. And some kid clothes. And a new book each. And a TVD... yup it's a dangerous place to go.
When i got home, with 3 fractious kids by that point, i discovered I DIDN'T PAY FOR THE RUBBER BANDS. A complete oversight but terrible nonetheless.

Now, i couldn't head back immediately (the trip having taken 2 hours) and they only cost 49 cents. But i kept thinking and thinking and thinking. Then I used 2 of them on my submission. What's the chance of a positive response if i didn't pay?

Not likely... at least in my paranoid head.

So this morning i finally got back to the shops, two weeks after I sent my manuscript, and paid for the rubber bands. Phew, at least that's one obstacle overcome.

Anyone else as superstitious as me?

5 comments:

  1. Ahh... with honestly like that, you really do deserve publication!! Good on ya... I bet the shop assistant was a little surprised, but it's things like that that used to restore my faith in humans when I worked in retail!

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  2. I would have done the same thing! Can't have the bad karma working against you at submission time!

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  3. Funny how our minds work like that eh? Good on you for heading the bad karma off at the pass! I once took a pencil sharpener from a shop - yes, I shoplifted! - because I waited for ten minutes for service and no one seemed to want to take my measley twenty cents. So I left with the pencil sharpener. I hope it doesn't come back to bite me (the karma not the pencil sharpener). :-)

    Good luck with the sub.

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  4. Rach, I'm not that good. If they'd made the mistake i mightn't have been so honest.

    Lacey, I'm glad it's not just me!

    Thanks for the luck wishes jackie. Today is one of those days where i feel i need them.

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  5. Good for you, Bec, I totally understand how difficult it is to contain said kids, shopping and making sure you get out of a shop with it all is a miracle! I once put nappies underneath the pram and got to the door but thankfully remembered and went back to the check out.

    Best of luck on the submission :-)

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