Well, it is now 9 months since we've been back and 8 months since I've been looking for a job.
I am the perfect example of: be careful what you wish for.
I've done alot of pondering these last few months. Life is too short to be anxious and stressful, but it seems like an impossible feat not to be.
I commend my husband for trying to stay positive. He really has an amazing attitude. Yes, he has bad days. Days where he is fed up and wants to pack up and leave, but it passes quickly enough and he sticks to his promise to give it a shot.
I, on the other hand, am taking this setback badly. Surprise, surprise...the emotional one. But I also have good days where I just keep plugging forward.
It just amazes me that in a country that is so multi-cultural, and Toronto being named the #1 multicultural city in the world, having lived and worked abroad and exposed myself to other cultures and worked in NUMEROUS multi-cultural settings, it works against me here. How screwed up is that?
I haven't heard from the literary agent and have just sent out another query to another agent. Publishing is a waiting game, isn't it?
Trying to get my internet business on the ground and ridiculously enough, can't seem to find a solution to the biggest and most important of all: setting up my website! Nobody I know can do it, much less as a favour or help.
Looked at some companies and the price they charge is much too high, so unfortunately that has to be put on hold.
Am waiting for my foreign credentials assessment in order to take my next step. Have been waiting for some time and because of that, the easiest and most reasonable move for our future has been put on hold. argh
So I called the university today and left a message giving them a piece of my mind...a rather BIG piece of my mind, at that! ;) lol
Frustrations are everywhere, but we try to find good things to keep us smiling during this struggle. My husband and I went to a village that mocks the pioneer times of Canada...just love that...he got some awesome shots on his camera. It was a nice day.
We've taken quite a few weekends to go hiking...it's nice to see Canada's nature at it's best. It seems that is the only part of my homeland that hasn't let me down...still beautiful, still rich, still good ol' Canadian horizons....at least that hasn't changed!
Submitted an article to a Woman's magazine in the states. Hopefully, they'll accept it for publication. It would be a nice boost!
Other than that, still plugging away. Slowly adapting. Have hung up some pictures around the apartment and taken some of our possessions we had in Japan and laid them out around the place. It gives us more of a sense of stability.
Slowly getting there. Praying to God and leaving things in his hands. I know he won't leave us in such a low time.
Hey Aurora... just saw your post... I am so sorry you are still having such a hard time... I know you have tried everything, but anything in the surrounding area of Toronto?? As for your web site... I mentioned I had totally given up creating them, and to be honest, I have been redoing my own and purchased a shopping cart from a company (there are certain things I can't do for web sites), but I have been working at it since back in April and am still waiting for the company to get back to me...I really don't know much about what you are trying to do on the internet because you have not mentioned it (I thought Mindy??? at TWF was going to do it for school practice?), anyway, I am so busy that I don't have time to do them and to be honest with you, I haven't been keeping up to date on what's new, what has changed,etc., but depending upon what you are doing I may be able to give you suggestions/advice of what to do... ...sadly, I have found that web work is not a quick thing, it takes hours of time... that's why I gave it up... but there are templates out there for DIY, so perhaps that's what would work.... anyway, you can drop me an email if you like. Wishing you well! Hugs.
ReplyDeleteAurora, so sorry, I've been out of touch since I haven't seen you posting on AC. I'm so sorry to hear your job aspirations haven't worked out yet. As far as publishing goes, it's wise to send out simultaneous submissions rather than exclusively (if it's okay with the agent) and then have to wait several months. Also if you order the 2011 Writer's Market from amazon.ca or some other place, and the 2011 Canadian Writer's Market as well perhaps; you'll find invaluable advice, up to date agents, and publishers in there. I'm trying to get an agent at the moment for a couple of my novels. I limit my search to those who take email submissions. I've had some articles and poetry published, but have just started this year to try to get my books published.
ReplyDeleteA friend of mine has an editing service and has her own company, Sandy Tritt at www.InspirationForWriters.com. You might find some helpful hints on her website.
Heather and Kenna, thank you both for your comments.
ReplyDeleteYou're right, Heather, website creation is ALOT of work and I have a feeling it will have to be a DIY project, so I started looking at sites that offer the domain and functions I would need (at a monthly price) all the while giving me tips on creating it...I believe that will be the route.
Kenna, thanks for the link. I will check out your friends' site. I have been sending simultaneous submissions, although most agencies/publishing houses have now taken the: due to so many submissions, we cannot answer back...frustrating...
But am not giving up...I think I have a good story and the more research and reading I do in my genre, I've seen much worse published, so there is still hope! LOL
Wishing you luck in publishing your novels!