having a mirror held up, and reflecting

[lagilman]

The scene: Downtown, meeting with a man I last worked with back in, hrm, 1994. We haven't seen each other except in passing at industry events in almost ten years. He takes one look, stops in the middle of the hallway, and exclaims "you haven't changed at all!" (Neither has he. It's quite remarkable) I doubt I can still even come close to passing for 20-something, but I'm perfectly willing to take 30-something.

Later, I make a passing reference to being cold-blooded practical about my career (re: the vageries of publishing) and he said "you always were pragmatic, even back then." He assured me it was a compliment, which indeed it is. Publishing is no place for the starry-eyed or the inflexible.

An interesting meeeting, even if nothing comes of it. Nice to reconnect, and nice to be able to talk about The Good Old Days with someone who has, like me, been knocked down a few times and gotten back up in a better place. Makes me feel all adult 'n shit.

Comments

[neutronjockey.livejournal.com]

[neutronjockey.livejournal.com]

Which was my roundabout attempt at paying a similar compliment... I've always thought of you as a pro's pro... and a good cook :)

[fakefrenchie.livejournal.com]

That was an interesting clip. But I don't see the connection to the topic at hand. Maybe I needed to see the movie in full? ;-)

[neutronjockey.livejournal.com]

Do you really want to play connect-the-dots in the Jeff Brain?

See..it all started about a week ago: another of the LUNA farm team originals announced an offer from an agent for representation. This is awesome! She was supported along the way by other members of the LUNA farm team as well. V.V. Awesome. In my mind if it wasn't for the presense of Luna and contact with authors such as LAG (through LJ) that would have been possible.

Then about 3 days ago there were several posts on the F-lists about rejection from pre-published authors. Rejection is tough but, it's part of the 'biz. Even the pros get rejected. It hurts, but you pick up your feelings and in the same day you get a rejection letter you announce a brand new word count, a new contract, a short story submission, a revision etc...etc.. and you keep on truckin' ... LAG is one of these writers. She's tough and flexible and posts great recipies from time to time.

...and that's where the clip came in. "There's no crying in publishing," and LAG's not a cryer.

Clear as mud?

[lagilman]

Jeff-logic. It's a scary thing.

(I got it, Jeff, and thanks)

[fakefrenchie.livejournal.com]

Clearer than mud. I am thick as a brick sometimes. BTW, which LUNA farm team member got an agent offer? If I can ask this here without taking over LAG's LJ.

[handlebar605.livejournal.com]

wait a minute???

back on GEnie I thought that you were in your 20's and that would make you 31 now, am I wrong??

[lagilman]

Missed a decade in there, did ya?

(I WAS in my 20's back on GEnie. But then I got older)