I now have another story in production for Forbidden Fiction. I just purchased - and received in the mail - a copy of "Wicked Fairy Tales," with Geppetto Falls Off the Wagon in it. It's a very nice-looking volume, and I started reading it the other night and several of the stories I've read so far have both impressed and entertained me, so kudos to everyone involved in that project. It cheered me somewhat, because I've been "off" writing for quite some time, lately. I'm a sufferer from clinical depression and for the past few months I've been experiencing an acute flare-up (or whatever one calls a return of deep depression). Much of my depression resolves around issues surrounding writing, so during that time I've felt very distant from - if not actually hostile to - the act of writing and my own work. Very slowly, I've started writing again, but I'm not sure how far I want to pursue it. Am I still interested in publishing?
Geppetto Falls Off the Wagon has gone up for purchase, and I didn't even notice. April was a hard and hectic month with lots of reviewing, job applications, editorial work and, worst, the suicide of a dear friend. So somehow Geppetto's launch passed me by. Belatedly, I've notified everyone I know by email, Facebook and Twitter (sending out the emails and not clicking on the address for my late friend was awful) but so far, while a few people have congratulated me, there's been a distinct lack of shows of interest in buying the thing. A couple of people reposted my notice, which has me wondering about the social dos and donts of publicizing your own work. Would I look desperate if I posted a reminder on my Facebook page every day? Or would it look like I was bragging about a publication overmuch? Would people tell me to shut up about it?
Here's a blog entry I wrote for Illict Ink, the spoken word group in Edinburgh I'm part of:
Performing at spoken word and storytelling events can be daunting. There’s a lot to get over and remember. Stifle those nerves (have a drink… but don’t get drunk, God no). Is your fly undone? Watch out for flying fruit! Never, ever, throw up on stage. Try not to burst into flames. Avoid religion and politics. Remember, you are most probably being videotaped by the United States Department of Homeland Security. Anything you say may be used as an excuse to prevent you from vacationing in the US.
I'm borrowing a title from a piece of flash fiction of mine which recently gave me the honour of a new, all-time record: rejected twelve minutes after sending in the story. I'm almost proud of that accomplishment.
You know when you get all bundled up to go out in the cold, and then realize you forgot something? So you go trundling around your house in your coat, boots, hat, gloves and scarf to find the missing item. Then when you finally find it and make it outside you're so overwarm you just want to go back indoors and take off all your clothes.
This really deep thought just goes to show the extent to which I'm up to speed with blogging.
Damn, another social media. How does somebody essentially shy and introverted keep getting into these things? It seems to come with any attempt to be a writer. I enjoy doing readings - my next will be in March - but not blogging. Odd. I rarely use Twitter because I feel like I'm always supposed to be witty. I don't often feel witty. We'll see how this goes.
