Speaking of Pavano, I was reading today that three teams have been expressing interest … Cardinals, Rockies and (I forget). I’d be into trading him if the Yanks could get at least something decent in return. I’m not expecting the moon, but I don’t want to just give him away. Plus, Mussina, Pettitte and Wang have all had injuries, and Igawa is unproven, and as yet the Yanks don’t have any absolute go-to youngsters who have proven they are ready to step in.

Hughes? Is it too early?

KaSpeaking of Pavano, I was reading today that three teams have been expressing interest … Cardinals, Rockies and (I forget). I’d be into trading him if the Yanks could get at least something decent in return. I’m not expecting the moon, but I don’t want to just give him away. Plus, Mussina, Pettitte and Wang have all had injuries, and Igawa is unproven, and as yet the Yanks don’t have any absolute go-to youngsters who have proven they are ready to step in.

Hughes? Is it too early?

Karstens?

I’d love to see the Yanks develop these kids, I just don’t know if they’re ready to be put into a playoff hunt.

Hey Bill,

Wow. That’s some list (and same with the next!).

I’ll have to check some of these out.

Very cool!

RussHey Bill,

Wow. That’s some list (and same with the next!).

I’ll have to check some of these out.

Very cool!

Russ

Ahh, Pavano …

My instinct is to say good riddance ASAP, but if he can actually pitch and stay healthy …

Melky. Indeed. He’s just got the goods, and he injects some vitality into the Yanks I haven’t seen in years. The more he’s involved with each game, the better.

Agreed about Reyes. If he ups his on base average from last year’s .355 to about .380 or higher, he’ll be the next Rickey Henderson. Right now, he’s not the far away.Ahh, Pavano …

My instinct is to say good riddance ASAP, but if he can actually pitch and stay healthy …

Melky. Indeed. He’s just got the goods, and he injects some vitality into the Yanks I haven’t seen in years. The more he’s involved with each game, the better.

Agreed about Reyes. If he ups his on base average from last year’s .355 to about .380 or higher, he’ll be the next Rickey Henderson. Right now, he’s not the far away.

For a whole bunch of different reasons, the concepts of motivation and leadership have been on my mind lately. And to date, my favorite discussions about it come from my hero Zig Ziglar, who delineates between motivation, manipulation and leadership. Here?s the way he describes them:

* Motivation, he says, is when you are able to convince someone to do something that is good for that person.

* Manipulation, he continues, is when you are able to convince someone to do something that isFor a whole bunch of different reasons, the concepts of motivation and leadership have been on my mind lately. And to date, my favorite discussions about it come from my hero Zig Ziglar, who delineates between motivation, manipulation and leadership. Here?s the way he describes them:

* Motivation, he says, is when you are able to convince someone to do something that is good for that person.

* Manipulation, he continues, is when you are able to convince someone to do something that is good for [i]you[/i].

* And leadership, he concludes, is when you are able to convince someone to do something that is good for both of you.

[i]Man[/i], I love that explanation.

I think back to about 8 years ago, when I was still in rough shape financially. My salary was barely keeping me above water as my school loans and credit card debt were doing their best to weigh me down. And for reasons I can?t remember right now, I had an especially bad month?I think it was tax time, and I owed. As if I wasn?t struggling enough.

So I guy I worked with, Brad, helped me out. He said, ?Hey, man, I?ve been there myself. Let me float you a loan, and maybe I can help you get a little more organized with your bills. Three years ago I was in the same place, and somebody helped me out.?

Initially I was taken aback, because it was an unexpected gesture on Brad?s part. Plus, it had to do with money, and we all know how tricky that can get between friends?and co-workers. But I accepted his gesture?it was a few hundred dollars?and it helped me get over the hump. Plus, he helped me rethink that way I was looking at my bills and such, which indeed got me more focused on my finances, which, at the time, I wasn?t being nearly as responsible about as I should have been. I was paying my bills?don?t get me wrong?but I didn?t have a very good long-term plan, and it was starting to catch up with me.

Indeed, Brad?s gesture was a benefit to me. He helped me get over a troubled financial patch. But his gesture?the simple offer?and the very real combination of cash and planning, helped me focus, relieved some of my stress, and motivated me to be more active in regard to my personal affairs.

And that helped me focus at work. Which was a benefit to Brad, as we worked on the same publication. Whether he realized it or not, Brad offered some leadership. We both benefited from his intervention.

Within a few months I paid Brad back?which he actually declined; keep it, he said?but on a bigger level it helped reinforce the idea for me that people can look out for each other in different ways. Indeed, there have been numerous other examples of leadership in my life?many examples, in fact?but for reasons I?m not even sure about at the moment, I find myself thinking about that gesture now, even though Brad and I drifted apart in the years that followed.

My point in all this?whenever possible, look for ways in which you can make a positive contribution in someone else?s life. It doesn?t have to be a big or grand gesture?in fact, for the most part, it shouldn?t be?but intervening on someone?s behalf in a positive fashion has a funny way of spilling over into all aspects of how you look at the world.

You feel good about yourself, someone else feels a sense of gratitude, and the sense of leadership?of service?is passed on down the line, touching people all across the globe in all sorts of ways. You just never know how many people?even generations later?will benefit from your acts of kindness and generosity. That is, until you give of yourself, and let the dominoes ripple forward.

Motivation and leadership.

Two words?and deeds?I?ve come to love, and can?t imagine living without.

It’s been a long time coming, but it’s finally here.

This weekend will bring the launch of the FINDERS KEEPERS Web site, and it’s been quite the endeavor. I’m not going to spend too much time on this, as I’ve been writing about the process all along, but I think a few things are worth noting.

* Because Ron and I have been tinkering and building this site for about the last six months, it’s solid. It has layers. And the fascinating part of this process is that, in some ways, it was likeIt’s been a long time coming, but it’s finally here.

This weekend will bring the launch of the FINDERS KEEPERS Web site, and it’s been quite the endeavor. I’m not going to spend too much time on this, as I’ve been writing about the process all along, but I think a few things are worth noting.

* Because Ron and I have been tinkering and building this site for about the last six months, it’s solid. It has layers. And the fascinating part of this process is that, in some ways, it was like writing the novel. I started off with an idea, not really sure how I was going to get there, but little by little, piece by piece, it started to take shape. Ron and I experimented. We made changes. We scrapped certain elements all together. But we kept at it, with a particular goal in mind. And now the site looks better, is more functional and has more options, than I initially intended.

Our energies and persistence allowed for innovation. And [i]that [/i]energizes me. It helps me see that this approach works. And it can be repeated indefinitely on any number of projects, not the least of which is getting this book published, and starting the next one.

* Even now I find all sorts of little things on the site that I’m tweaking or playing with. Some fonts aren’t right on page; the layout isn’t quite right on another. And I admit, it’s fun to futz around with the site. I guess it’s like when guys park their cars out in the garage and dust off the spark plugs or tighten the engine … brackets? … The point is, it’s my creation, and the experience is visceral. My fingers clack the keys. My influence sculpts an entity that otherwise would not exist.

I think it’s pretty cool.

* And having this Web site up and functional is a calling card. It helps my experience seem more real to [i]other [/i]people. Writers have it tougher than most other creative folks, because of the method of involvement. If you’re a musician, other people can see you play live or listen to your CD. They’re involved. If you dance or act, they can come see you on stage. If you paint, they can look at what you’ve created.

But if you write, and it takes three years to finish your book, people can … take your word for it. But they don’t know how to participate. And they want to. But if they can’t participate, it’s difficult for them to synthesize your efforts. They don’t know how to join in. So they often nod their head and smile and try to be supportive when you tell them that you’re writing a book, but it’s too abstract for them. It isn’t real yet.

The Web site changes all that. Now I’ve got something to show people. And it’s a destination where they can participate, interact … become part of the process. [i]My [/i]writing will become more real for [i]other[/i] people. And that interaction will likely breed more interaction, and so on.

So look for an email blast this weekend announcing the launch of the Web site. It’ll be my personal invitation to you. FINDERS KEEPERS is my first novel, but it certainly won’t be me last.

See you on the message boards …

Russ

OK. I?m back.

The first two months of 2007 were pretty exhausting for me, as I?ve blogged about before. And during that time I did make a lot of progress on this Web site?which will get its official launch this weekend (finally!)?but I didn?t make much progress on my agents search, and aside from these blogs, I didn?t do much writing.

All that?s about to change.

This morning my alarm went off at 5 a.m., and after only one quick snooze, I was up, and by 5:30 a.m. I was at my desk, OK. I?m back.

The first two months of 2007 were pretty exhausting for me, as I?ve blogged about before. And during that time I did make a lot of progress on this Web site?which will get its official launch this weekend (finally!)?but I didn?t make much progress on my agents search, and aside from these blogs, I didn?t do much writing.

All that?s about to change.

This morning my alarm went off at 5 a.m., and after only one quick snooze, I was up, and by 5:30 a.m. I was at my desk, looking through some agents notes I have, and also doing some background for a little bit of writing that?s coming your way.

You heard me correctly?new material coming soon.

In an act of full disclosure, I started my 5 a.m. regimen again last week, after the long weekend. Tuesday, up at 5. Same for Wed. But Thursday and Friday … not so much. Just couldn?t do it. But I?m determined to make this a full week of up at 5. That?s my plan, anyway.

With new commitment comes new planning, and I wanted to share you what I?m hoping to deliver over the next three months:

* Finders Keepers Web site launch ? March 4

I don?t think I need to go into too much detail about the site at this point, but I think you?re going to really like what we?ve got here for you. You?ll have to let me know how you like it.

* Original short stories ? April 18

Long before I wrote FINDERS KEEPERS, I wrote several short stories, many of which have been sitting in a pile all these years, just waiting for a polish. We?ll … now?s the time to do it. I had two in mind, both of which are based on events that happened to me over the last few years. They?re both worth telling, although totally different indeed. One story is already sitting with a writer friend of mine who?s agreed to do an edit for me, and the other one I plan on starting this weekend.

I?m doing a writing blitzkrieg?just all-out writing time to get these babies done. No fretting over them. Just write them and get them out. Once I think they?re in good shape I?ll be posting them on the Finders Keepers Web site, while I submit them for publication in magazines.

Also, while I was looking for those story files this morning, I stumbled upon a bizarro story I wrote many years ago, rewrote many years later, and now plan on touching up once again. It?s just a short Twilight Zone kinda piece, but one that?s fun enough to want to give another look. Again, that?ll go up on the site while I send it out for publication.

And all this is to get my storytelling chops back in action, in preparation for … wait for it … my second novel!

* That?s right. I will be starting my second novel?Crossline?by June 1, 2007. I?ve already got many, many notes and an outline, but I need some time to sit with and re-familiarize myself with the source material before I?ll be ready to give it a legitimate go. As I get closer to the writing launch, I?ll give you some more background on what the book will be about … but just so you know … I?ll be keeping the key twists under wraps.

Once the new stuff is ready for viewing, you?ll be the first to know.

Springtime is almost here, new writing is coming soon … and the Russman is back!

Overall, I?m not much of celebrity hound. Yeah, they?re somewhat interesting and I do sneak a few peeks now and again because they?re just everywhere these days, but I?m much more curious about what movies and TV shows are being made than which celebrity is boinking which other celebrity, or which celebrity?s nanny. I just don?t care.

And if I see another article about Jennifer Anniston or Angelina Jolie I literally might vomit and then stick a fork in my eye.

But Britney. Good, God, Overall, I?m not much of celebrity hound. Yeah, they?re somewhat interesting and I do sneak a few peeks now and again because they?re just everywhere these days, but I?m much more curious about what movies and TV shows are being made than which celebrity is boinking which other celebrity, or which celebrity?s nanny. I just don?t care.

And if I see another article about Jennifer Anniston or Angelina Jolie I literally might vomit and then stick a fork in my eye.

But Britney. Good, God, what the heck has happened to you?

Eesh.

There?s a picture of her the NY Daily News today with her smashing K-Fed?s car with what looks like an umbrella. And funnily enough, I thought, this might not actually be so bad for Britney. Maybe she?s getting close to hitting bottom, and maybe that much closer to going someplace where she can get her act together.

She has actually gotten so out of control that I feel bad for her. I do believe wholeheartedly that she?ll be just fine in the long run, but watching her completely degenerate has been something to see. And it?s completely understandable. She went from being a 16-year-old tease that drew the lust of many men?and likely many women, too?and parlayed that into a $100 million war chest.

Unfortunately, you can only wrap yourself in so many anacondas while writhing around on stage in tight leather panties and your boobs hanging out before your marginal talent just can?t squeeze out the hits anymore. And yet she was being described, in at least some circles, as being the next Madonna. Like anybody could be the next Madonna. Talk about unrealistic expectations.

I?m not sure what Britney ever thought or felt, or what she thinks and feels now, but her case should be?but most likely won?t be?a cautionary tale about the trappings of early fame and fortune. Britney got way too big way too fast, which would be difficult for most anyone. But she started her rise to fame at 16 (or was it even younger?). Do you remember being 16? Those were pretty rough days for me, and if I had the whole world watching my every move while I tried to navigate those waters, I?m not so sure I would have held up for very long.

So as much as this surprises me, I?m rooting for Britney. I genuinely hope that she can find a safe place to cleanse some of her demons, that she rebuilds herself in a respectable manner, and that she finds some humility and grace. Amazingly, Britney?s a mother of two, and I don?t think she wants them growing up with her being known for her skanky, no-panty crotch shots.

Britney still has a long way to go as a person. I just hope that she comes to a place where being Britney?human being, mother?is more important to her than being Britney?Pop Tart. I want to believe she?ll make the right choices.

I really do.

Post edited by: rcolchamiro, at: 2007/02/23 14:30

About a week ago I had one of those moments. I know I’ve only really been on the hunt for agent for about 8 weeks, but when you really, really want something, 8 weeks can seem like forever. But one day, after receiving … nothing … I started to get really frustrated.

I mean [i]really[/i] frustrated.

One of the built in difficulties with being a writer is that the conventional way of getting published, especially as a novelist, is landing an agent, and then having your agent landingAbout a week ago I had one of those moments. I know I’ve only really been on the hunt for agent for about 8 weeks, but when you really, really want something, 8 weeks can seem like forever. But one day, after receiving … nothing … I started to get really frustrated.

I mean [i]really[/i] frustrated.

One of the built in difficulties with being a writer is that the conventional way of getting published, especially as a novelist, is landing an agent, and then having your agent landing you a publishing contract. But under this scenario, as the writer, you are at the mercy of other people, of strangers, who will decide your fate.

It’s easy to deal with if I don’t let myself get too worked up about it, but sometimes it just kills me that the potential of my success might very well rest with someone else.

[i]The potential of my success might very well rest with someone else.[/i]

Eesh. Tough one.

But who’s to say that these agents are even any good at what they do, or that they’re right? And if they are, who’s to say that they’ll get it right with me? Or if it’ll happen sooner rather than later? Or at all?

And the thing is, I’m not so thin-skinned that I can’t handle the rejection letters. I mean, I can’t say I love getting them–they don’t send me into any emotional tailspins–but they’re not the end of the world either. It’s not that someone has decided, for whatever reason, that they don’t want to represent me, but that it’s another day without me moving ahead at the pace that I want. It’s the being held back, the obstacles, even if it’s just for now.

But this is just how it is. Or is it?

This situation certainly isn’t unique to me. It’s just one of the inherent elements of this business, and as I was recently reminded, you find a way to deal with it, or you have to think about trying something else.

Which leads me to self publishing. Now, I’m not saying that I [i]should [/i]self publish FINDERS KEEPERS. I have no way of knowing whether that’s the best path to take or not. There are never any guarantees. But the possibility seems more reasonable to me now than it ever has. I don’t necessarily think it would be easier if I self published FINDERS KEEPERS and made a go of it that way, bu then again, I don’t know that it would be any harder. There are challenges no matter what I do.

At this point I’m just kicking around the idea of self publishing, as I don’t know enough about it yet. I’ve done some research, and have a lot more to do. I’m not going to just jump into a venture like that blindly. But my frustrations to this point have at least opened my eyes to possibility, and I’m grateful for that.

I don’t know yet what I’m going to do about this, but self publishing is now officially on my radar. I’ll just see what the next few months bring, and then go from there.

After a little time off from sending out query letters to agents, I’m getting ready for my next wave. I made a commitment to myself that I would send out at least 50 letters by April 1. I’ve got about 15 to go. But really, I’ll send out as many as it takes. Hopefully I won’t need to send out even one more, but then, maybe I’ll need 100 more. Who knows?

The first big wave of responses came in almost a month ago, but I’m still getting a few stragglers. And I’ve started to really notice some iAfter a little time off from sending out query letters to agents, I’m getting ready for my next wave. I made a commitment to myself that I would send out at least 50 letters by April 1. I’ve got about 15 to go. But really, I’ll send out as many as it takes. Hopefully I won’t need to send out even one more, but then, maybe I’ll need 100 more. Who knows?

The first big wave of responses came in almost a month ago, but I’m still getting a few stragglers. And I’ve started to really notice some interesting nuances in these rejection letters. Most of them are pretty generic, so it’s tough to get worked up about them. For example, I’ve gotten a bunch that start something like, "Dear Author," or "Dear Writer."

Yeah. I feel the love just oozing off the pages. And by the first few sentences, it’ll say, essentially, thanks but no thanks.

Okay fine.

Then there’s the letters that start with "Dear (typed) Russ (handwritten)," and the rest is a form letter. Maybe that’s a tiny bit more personalized, but still, we’re not exactly BFFs.

The next step up is when I get letter that reads, Dear Mr. Colchamiro … in which case I think, okay, at least the agent took the time to look at my name. Well, that’s something. Yet those rejection letters sting just a little bit more. It’s easier to get rejected as [i]Dear Nameless Author [/i]as opposed to [i]Hey Mr. Colchamiro, we don’t like your idea or your writing[/i].

Sometimes, although not often, but sometimes I’ll even get a letter that starts off with, "Dear Mr. Colchamiro," with the words [i]RE: Finders Keepers [/i]on the top of page. Now they know my name and the title of my book. They’re paying attention more. They actually know what this is about. Which kinda sucks more when they say no.

I got one the other day like that, and the first sentence read: Thank you for your summary and pages. It is "a tale of cosmic lunacy" as promised. So I’m liking this so far. At least the agent took the time to read my letter and took some direct language I used from my letter to him in his response back to me.

And then he went on to say that … I’m afraid that your pages just didn’t inspire the proper amount of enthusiasm …

Now this sucked the most of all the letters, because he really did know what my book was about, read the pages, read the summary and still didn’t like it. Now, I know it’s not a big deal that one person didn’t like it enough to want to represent me, but still. I’ve actually gotten a few rejection letter like this one.

[i]… your pages just didn’t inspire the proper amount of enthusiasm … [/i]

Bummer.

But then …. but then …

I got a letter the other day … a rejection letter … but one that kinda made me smile, that inspired me even. Yep. It inspired me. It was the shortest of all the rejection letters, just two sentence long. Here’s what it said:

Dear Mr. Colchamiro,

Thank you for your query for FINDERS KEEPERS, but it’s not right for me, as ambitious and strange as it sounds. But I appreciate the chance to consider it and wish you the best of luck.

[i]As ambitious and strange as it sounds[/i].

Finally! It’s about friggin’ time!

Someone gets that FINDERS KEEPERS is not your typical book! It’s [i]meant[/i] to be ambitious and strange and fun and bizarre, and someone in this nutty business finally stood up and took notice!

Sure, it was still a rejection letter, but it’s the best one I ever got. I’m hanging this baby on the wall because it gives me hope. I’m inspired. And sometimes just a little inspiration, even from the most unlikeliest of sources, is all I need to recharge.

[i]Ambitious and strange.[/i]

I like that. I like that a lot.

Post edited by: rcolchamiro, at: 2007/02/17 10:19

Post edited by: rcolchamiro, at: 2007/02/17 10:21

Post edited by: rcolchamiro, at: 2007/02/18 20:05

I know this might come as a shock to anyone who grew up watching TV in the ’80s, but I’ve never seen an episode of Miami Vice. Nope. Never. Not one. I’m not really sure why, but I just didn’t. For whatever reason, it just didn’t interest me. And over the years I’ve never seen a rerun either. I mean, sure, I’ve seen a few minutes here or there, or gotten a few seconds on clips shows, but I’ve never sat down and see an episode from beginning to end. I’ve probably never seen more than 2 or 3 consecI know this might come as a shock to anyone who grew up watching TV in the ’80s, but I’ve never seen an episode of Miami Vice. Nope. Never. Not one. I’m not really sure why, but I just didn’t. For whatever reason, it just didn’t interest me. And over the years I’ve never seen a rerun either. I mean, sure, I’ve seen a few minutes here or there, or gotten a few seconds on clips shows, but I’ve never sat down and see an episode from beginning to end. I’ve probably never seen more than 2 or 3 consecutive minutes!

And yet …

The other day I sat on my couch and watched the new, movie version of Miami Vice. And it wasn’t half bad. It’s a pretty typical Michael Mann movie … gritty, grainy and yet slick at the same time. The action was fairly good, it looked good. Plot was … okay. But all in all it was a decent two hours.

So why the movie and the not the show? Got me. I was home with time on my hands, it just happened to be the kind of movie I was looking to watch at the time.

I’ve still never seen the original show, and I have a pretty good feeling that I won’t, but I’ll give the movie a solid thumbs up. The loud colors are gone and it wasn’t the least bit cheeky or campy. It stood alone as its own creation. You won’t be missing much if you never watch it, but then, you might get a kick out of nonetheless, if you’re in the mood for that kind of thing.

It’s not the old school Crocket and Tubbs, but it’s all right.

Post edited by: rcolchamiro, at: 2007/02/17 09:49