Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Tobin S.

(10,418 posts)
Sat Jul 9, 2016, 06:09 PM Jul 2016

I found an old friend the other day on Facebook.

It makes me wish I would have signed up sooner. I have gotten in touch with him and we have exchanged e-mails. It's a nice bright spot to combat what has been a very bad week for me.

On Tuesday I got fired. The same day I got notice that I'd lost a writing contest that I'd entered a manuscript in. Today I have a new old friend. It's weird how stuff like that works sometimes.

12 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
I found an old friend the other day on Facebook. (Original Post) Tobin S. Jul 2016 OP
You didn't lose that writing contest, you just didn't get picked for the prize! MADem Jul 2016 #1
I think it's a good manuscript, but it doesn't fit into any niche very well. Tobin S. Jul 2016 #2
Good new beginnings, there--and sometimes niches are boring. MADem Jul 2016 #4
I hope so! Tobin S. Jul 2016 #5
6 years ago my niece found me on facebook. hollysmom Jul 2016 #3
That's a bittersweet story, mom. Tobin S. Jul 2016 #6
but it is amazing when people look for and find you. hollysmom Jul 2016 #7
Ah, my dear Tobin... CaliforniaPeggy Jul 2016 #8
Nice. It's great to run in to old friends. qnr Jul 2016 #9
I agree. Now is the time to write something else. TexasBushwhacker Jul 2016 #10
I have a friend who does book promotion OhioBlue Jul 2016 #11
Thanks for the lead. I appreciate it. Tobin S. Jul 2016 #12

MADem

(135,425 posts)
1. You didn't lose that writing contest, you just didn't get picked for the prize!
Sat Jul 9, 2016, 06:31 PM
Jul 2016

If it's a good manuscript, keep plugging--it'll find a home eventually.

Sign up for unemployment and work on landing that next job. Sometimes, a job loss can turn into an opportunity. Who knows, maybe your new-old friend will have some ideas?

Tobin S.

(10,418 posts)
2. I think it's a good manuscript, but it doesn't fit into any niche very well.
Sat Jul 9, 2016, 06:34 PM
Jul 2016

I have applied for unemployment benefits and it looks like I'm going to get that. I was surprised by how quickly I got a response especially here in a red state.

MADem

(135,425 posts)
4. Good new beginnings, there--and sometimes niches are boring.
Sat Jul 9, 2016, 06:38 PM
Jul 2016

The lady who wrote Harry Potter blazed a new path, and look how rich that made her!

Onward and upward, eh?

hollysmom

(5,946 posts)
3. 6 years ago my niece found me on facebook.
Sat Jul 9, 2016, 06:38 PM
Jul 2016

now I never moved, but she would not know that when she was a child her parents stopped talking to me, I did see her at my mother's funeral where they parents came to see what they inherited. Actually her parents didn't only stop talking tome, they blocked my phone, and got a restraining order against me - I who never went to visit anyone without calling first or an invitation. I complained and had the restraint removed, but did not see them. It was hard because I was attached to the children especially the youngest daughter, the niece who contacted me against her parents wishes. She was just 21 and felt she did not believe what they said about me and wanted to talk. So many lies, so so many lies told about me. We are very close now, her parents both died of unfortunate illnesses they need not have died of. Ones I could have helped both of them to survive. But they were angry I was talking to their daughter, so.... I could not tell the mother to see a doctor, she had the same symptoms I had and it was cancer. I could not help the father, my brother, over his severe emotional problems. Now my niece is dependent on me in lieu of parents, funny that. she lived with me for a few months, got married, and now is having a baby.

hollysmom

(5,946 posts)
7. but it is amazing when people look for and find you.
Sat Jul 9, 2016, 10:35 PM
Jul 2016

I look at it this way, The parents would have still died, and then my niece would really have no one to spoil her. She has a few other relatives on her mother's side and a 1/2 sister 1/2 cousin, but they have families and she can't be their top priority. I am retired, I have things to do, but can move them when she needs someone to go to the doctor with or take her to the cemetery.

CaliforniaPeggy

(149,308 posts)
8. Ah, my dear Tobin...
Sat Jul 9, 2016, 10:53 PM
Jul 2016

I'm glad you found your old friend! It's funny how things work out sometimes.

I'm sorry about the manuscript.



qnr

(16,190 posts)
9. Nice. It's great to run in to old friends.
Sun Jul 10, 2016, 12:29 AM
Jul 2016

As far as the manuscript goes, at least you have one completed and you just need to find the correct publisher.

TexasBushwhacker

(20,044 posts)
10. I agree. Now is the time to write something else.
Sun Jul 10, 2016, 01:14 AM
Jul 2016

When you do find a publisher, the first thing they will ask is "What else do you have?".

Stephen King threw the first 3 pages of "Carrie" in the trash. His wife retrieved them, read them and told him "I think you have something here." 30 publishers rejected it, but fortunately he sent it to the 31st.

Kathryn Stockett's "The Help" was rejected by 60 publishers.

Getting published is nice. Selling a lot of books is nice too. But a writer writes. Don't stop.

OhioBlue

(5,126 posts)
11. I have a friend who does book promotion
Sun Jul 10, 2016, 01:31 AM
Jul 2016

She and her husband have both been through career ups and downs in the past few years. They're wonderful people with kind hearts and always willing to help. When I read your post, I thought of her and logged on to Facebook to get the name of her blog and by coincidence her name was the first to appear in my newsfeed. Her blog is "Hook of a Book". She is on Twitter and Facebook if you would like to connect with her.

Latest Discussions»The DU Lounge»I found an old friend the...