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 By Argile Stox Nov. 18, 2006 I have run out of excuses. My computer (laptop) is in fine working order and is operating in optimum condition. It is time for me to revisit my memoir, make the necessary changes, and start sending out query letters to reputable literary agents. However, I am suffering the dreaded “approach – avoidance” syndrome. Each time I begin to dig deep into my memoir I become very tired and exhausted. I have thought a great deal about the psychological malady that has me conflicted. I believe that the root cause of the problem is “atmosphere.” I would write my memoir in coffee houses or any other place that had an electrical outlet. In the homeless shelters, a resident could not “plug-in” to an electrical socket. My only refuse was coffee shops and libraries located in Long Island City, New York. It appears that the ambient noise of the customers talking and the hum of the machinery gave me the positive influence to write my book. It is too quiet in the house. I have tried to have music playing in the background – that did not help. From what I understand, the Food Court in the Rushmore Mall has a wireless connection and outlets scattered around, so I can plug in my laptop. The battery in my laptop is only good for about three and a half hours and the screen gets very dark (to conserve battery power). I could splurge for a seven hour battery which would solve the problem, if I can not plug into an outlet at the Food Court. There is another aspect of my problem. It costs about fifteen dollars by taxi to get to the Rushmore Mall, and fifteen dollars back home. Thirty dollars a day would put a serious dent in my budget. I heard a rumor that a bus (at a cost of one dollar each way) runs from my present location to the Rushmore Mall. I must call the bus company and see if that is true. Heck, ten dollars a week is much better than ninety dollars (tip included) each week. Another aspect that has me very concerned is that I am not sure my memoir (even rewritten) will appeal to the general public. I am not looking for my book to be printed in hard copy, trade paperback – I just want my three hundred and twenty-five page book printed in a regular sized paperback format. I have already changed the title and will be using my real name. My experience with PublishAmerica was a complete disaster – However, I did learn a few things about how the publishing industry works. Rewriting the memoir will be a snap, for I have converted the final proofs that were in a PDF format, into a Word format. I can always convert the Word document back into a PDF format if the literary agent prefers it that way. Just writing about planning to take a taxi or a bus to the Food Court has made me very excited. I really enjoy writing and looking forward to rewriting my memoir. However, there is just one thing that is bugging the heck out of me. Is the general public ready and or interested in reading about a guy who became homeless for a year in New York City , and how he managed to pull himself up from that bottomless pit of despair? My original memoir received great reviews. However, the vast majority of the reviews came from authors who were associated with PublishAmerica. I genuinely feel that my book is “ahead of its time.” In addition, I know that my book will be a “hard sell” to publishers by legitimate literary agents. These are the thoughts that have me bogged down each day. Will I be wasting my time and effort rewriting my memoir and going through the process of having it published? What I do know is that the need to be productive is eating away at my soul. As far as I am concerned, my book is unfinished business; and I really hate loose ends to tie up. The Food Court offers not only coffee – it will supply me with an almost endless array of sustenance, from Chinese food to Hamburgers. I have spoken to Tracy about my “wild-hair” idea. She does not completely agree with my plan. Tracy can write anywhere. However, my book was conceived and born in coffee shops – complete with the noise and din of the surrounding area. Well, that is all I know for now. I will keep the readers of this forum updated as to my successes and failures as I implement my plan of action to rewrite my book. Maybe my experiences will help others who are suffering the same condition that I am presently dealing with. Heck, if there is a free wireless connection I can hookup too in the Rushmore Mall, I can take a break and write a column and send it via e-mail from there. That would be a real trip! ------------ Email Argile Stox: argilestox@gmail.com Comment on this article here! ------------ All articles are EXCLUSIVE to Useless-Knowledge.com and are not allowed to be posted on other websites. ARTICLE THIEVES WILL BE PROSECUTED! |
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