Monday 1 September 2008

A Nervous Morning

This morning I am feeling queasy, for two reasons.

The first is that I haven’t heard back from the agent that asked to see the whole manuscript of the last novel. They did say could they have it for six weeks and that six weeks is up. So I must ring them. Today. But knowing what it’s like getting into the office on a Monday morning, I am leaving it till later. Till they’ve got through the urgent stuff. And then I will pick up the phone and ask very nicely if they got my email of last week and whether they have had time to come to a decision.

I should say that I know they will say no to the novel. If they were going to say yes they would have done so by now. (But of course while I don’t know, there’s always that small flicker of hope.)

But I have a plan. I have several alterations that I think will make the novel stronger and then I will send it off to the next agent on my list. That is my plan.

The other thing is of an altogether different nature. My next colonoscopy appointment came through the post on Saturday. I have to have these checkups every 5 years as there is a history of bowel cancer in my family. I won’t go into details but basically it means taking very strong laxatives for a day, no food for a day and a half and then having the test – which is the least of it really.

Not pleasant but necessary. Anyway, the appointment came through, not only for next week but for next Saturday. And then I realised it was in Penzance, which is distinctly inconvenient for Falmouth. So I rang and left a message to say could I have an appointment in Truro please. This will probably just mean waiting longer for an appointment, but at least it will put it off for a little longer.

So you can see why my guts are churning this morning. Have a good week everyone. I’m off to lose myself in my novel and go over questions for an interview on Tuesday. If in doubt, escape to work!

Fingers crossed on all counts.

PS. Just got an email from the agent. Can't find my manuscript, can I send it by email. Phew......


18 comments:

Lane Mathias said...

Good luck with the phone call to the agent. There's still a glimmer of hope so fingers crossed. Also hope you get the appointment changed. You don't want to be travelling miles for something like that.
Take care fp.

Pat Posner said...

Sending positive vibes for the phone call, Flowerpot. Btw, it never ceases to amaze me how agents' time (like editors') is completely different to ours!

Sympathies on the other thing - been there, done that, NOT nice. But I hope you get an appointment at the nearer hospital.

Akelamalu said...

You know the old saying 'no news is good news' - there's still hope for your novel m'dear.

My son has to have regular colonoscopies too as he has Crohns disease. Not pleasant but necessary. :(

Flowerpot said...

Lane - thanks for that. Guts still churning!

Pat - many thanks for positive vibes - I need them! As for the other - well, it has to be done. End of story.

Chris Stovell said...

I know that feeling about the book, Flowerpot! I start getting looking for signs and portents, 'If this... they'll accept it. If that... not!' Crazy! I do hope that your inner voice is wrong this time but well done for having an action plan - resilience is the key.

As for the other - it's good that they are keeping an eye on you. I'm sure you'll be fine. Best wishes Cx

Amanda said...

Fingers and toes crossed for them getting back with positive news, Flowerpot. It's all so nerve-racking isn't it?
My dad had bowel cancer and has only just got his all clear - so I know all about colonscopies - not very pleasant at all, but like you say necessary. Hope you get your appointment sorted out.

Elaine Denning said...

Good luck with the book, FP. It's a painful process, isn't it?

I had a colonoscopy a while back. Uuugh. As you said, the procedure isn't too bad - it's that 24 hours of sitting on the loo. You poor thing. I don't envy you AT ALL. x

Flowerpot said...

Ak - thanks for that.

Chris - yes you've been through this all too recently haven't you? Having a Plan B is essential I think.

Flowerpot said...

Annie - thanks for that. Hospital appt now in 2 weeks time - apparently my check up is 2 YEARS LATE - cheering isnt it?

MissU - the whole thing is a painful process I think!!

Deborah Carr (Debs) said...

Best of luck with your manuscript, waiting is horrible.

I hope they do change the appointment for you, it will be nice to get something like that over and done with too, I should think.

Ellee Seymour said...

How v frustrating, and what a long wait. This could be the novel of all novels, and it's lost!!
Good luck with the colonoscopy.

Grump said...

Lets just call it all a pain in the arse. I hope your week pans out ok. At least you don't have writers block. What did the mathematician say when constipated. " I worked it out with a pencil".
Many a profound thought has arrived while contemplating on the big white elephant's ear.
Woof x

Jenny Beattie said...

Ooh, fingers crossed Flowerpot.

I know about colonscopies too, as my Dad's a doctor who performed them!

Good luck on all counts.

Flowerpot said...

Debs - yes waiting is horrible but will be over soon!

ellee - it's nice to think of it being the novel of all novels - that has cheered me immensely!

Flowerpot said...

Grump - pain in the arse is exactly what it is - thanks for making me laugh! If any pearls of wisdom fall this week I shall of course share them...

JJ - thanks on all counts. What a horrible job for your father!

Philipa said...

Best luck on all counts, FP

xx

Flowerpot said...

Thanks Phil, that's kind of you.

Liane Spicer said...

It's just awful what we go through waiting for agents and publishers to respond. I feel for you.