The Call

Anybody know Jeff Foxworthy?  If you like comedy and you haven’t heard of Jeff…look him up.  If your familiar with Jeff’s work, then you probably know his You might be a redneck if -- routine.  Well, here’s a literary version of that.  You might be a writer if…you know what the title of this post means.

That’s right…as of now I am represented by Sarah Negovetich of the Corvisiero Literary Agency. You heard me correctly…I have an agent!

Those that have known me for a while understand how long I have waited to post something like this.  I’ve congratulated more than a few writers in this blogosphere that have achieved this dream and read their stories of what it was like to finally get the “Call”, all the while putting myself in their shoes and imagining what it would be like to experience such a thing. Well…they’re my shoes now – and it feels GREAT! No more query letters...no more pitch wars...no more twitter contest.  YES!

The book I pitched that won Sarah over is titled MOVING FEAR.  It’s a YA Horror (although Sarah may reclassify it as YA Paranormal/Mystery). I'm savvy enough to realize that signing with Sarah is just another hurdle and seeing my manuscript in print isn't a sure thing yet -- but this is a validation that was sorely needed.  For the longest time I’ve felt like an unlicensed doctor, running around handing out medical advice to anyone who will listen. Now, by signing an agent it effectively slaps MD behind my name (albeit in small letters) and gives me a tiny bit of credibility. Not that obtaining an agent is the only way to earn standing -- if you sell a bunch of books, agent or not, that's good enough for me -- but you guys know what I'm talking about.

I’ve already thanked my CP’s, beta readers, query specialist, ego caressers, and morale boosters!  I even thanked the blogger whose innocuous Facebook post was the inspiration for the story.  A piece of each of them is in MOVING FEAR and my good news belongs to them well. But who I haven’t thanked yet is YOU. I’ll eventually detail my cringe-worthy path to where I am now, but for now let’s just say that in the beginning I was clueless – until I found the blogosphere.  The wealth of knowledge, experience, expertise, pointers, sage advice, industry norms, and morale support is endless. And more importantly, it is all offered with a smile and a pat on the back. I can honestly say that the writer I am today is in-part because of YOU…because the blogosphere is YOU. So thank you for everything you’ve done for me!

And one of the reasons for choosing Sarah as my agent – she writes a blog.

There are two people I feel compelled to single out with my gratitude today. Chris Fries and Julie Dao. I’ve known Chris since before I had a blog (on the writing forums) and Julie was one of my earliest CP’s. They both have been my most steadfast supporters…unwavering in their belief that today would come. They are two of my closest friends…and I’ve never met them. Thank you both so much!

In the weeks to come I’ll reveal the details of “the call” and the events that led up to it. At the same time I’ll be figuring out how things will need to be tweaked around here now that the trajectory of my writing career has been altered. Don’t worry…nothing major. If I do get a publishing deal I’ll resist any changes that might turn this into something more marketing-centric and focused on just selling books.

For those of you who are following this same dream…hang in there. My shoes will be yours one day! :)

Existing Between the Yin and Yang

It's time to get things back on-track.  And what does that mean...you ask? Well...for me...on-track is a state where there's balance between me and this wonderful blogging community. I've not enjoyed that for quite some time. The reason I haven't can't be boiled down to a single explanation, but I can say that for the most part -- they've been valid. It's part personal struggles, part technical struggles, part creative struggles, and part motivational struggles. But ultimately it came down to me wrestling with the bone-tiredness that comes from constantly struggling.

For the last two years I've basically been going through the motions here. I've allowed the WRiTE CLUB, the Blog BLITZ, and the Deja Vu Blogfest to serve as my tent posts...my main contributions and pipeline into the blogosphere.  There's been Yin...but no Yang. I've existed between the two, and every blogger worth their salt knows that to be successful you need to practice both, you must reciprocate. If you don't follow the bloggers who comment on your posts back to their own haunt...and leave meaningful comments there...sooner or later your readership will dry up and forget all about you. Frankly, I've been amazed that the people who continue to comment here have hung on for so long. Those that have hold a special place in my heart...and always will.

A good friend of mine recently kicked me in the pants and made me realize what I've allowed myself to become.  Lot's of take...and very little give. But that all changes today. There are thousands and thousands of blogs out here, so how do you choose which ones to visit and give back some Yang? That's actually easy. Starting with this post, everyone who leaves a comment will receive a return visit to their blog the same week.  If you're a multiple post per week blogger, I can't quite commit to commenting on every post, but I will hit at least one of them that week.  Baby steps. I'm also starting a new Feedly list of bloggers who regularly visit me, and even when I don't post I'll be dropping by for a chat. I'll try to expand from there, but the worst thing I could do is over-commit and end up disappointing.

That's it.  That's the plan. I know I'll never be able to return to the level I was at two years ago, but something that will allow me to maintain some sense of sanity would be nice. I'm even thinking of returning to the A-Z Challenge again this year, but I still have a little while to think about that.  

For those of you finding your way back from a long time gone past...welcome back. I've missed you. I promise not to let you down again.  :)

DL

Inspired

Thanks so much to Heather Jackson and Robin Rivera (The Writeon Sisters) for nominating me for the Very Inspiring Blogger Award! Not so long ago when blog awards were a dime a dozen and they were being passed out like towelettes at a bar-b-Que eating contest, I kind of backed away from the whole thing.  Of course I always gratefully thank the person(s) who honor me, but I rarely pass them along.  Today I'm making an exception because the WriteOn Sisters selected me primarily because of my work with the Blog BLITZ, and I'm always up to mention that.

So...here are the rules of engagement for this fun little award:

• Display the award on your blog. (check)
• Link back to the person who nominated you. (check)
• State 7 things about yourself. (check)
• Nominate other bloggers, link to them, and notify them about their nomination. (oops)

This is going to be tough...coming up with seven things I haven't talked about before...but here goes nothing.

7 THINGS ABOUT THE DL HAMMONS

1. Although I was always making things up in my head and acting them out, the first story I ever wrote down on paper was in 10th grade. My teacher thought it was so good she accused me of copying from somewhere.

2. Also in high school, I wrote for the school paper and my most popular (and controversial) piece was entitled THE ART OF SKIPPING.

3. In my wallet I carry around each of my children's first tooth. I think of it as having a piece of their smile in my pocket.

4. I once spent $50 to win a girl a cheap stuffed bear at a county fair.

5. This is my 600th post on my blog.

6. Most of my best writing idea's happen when I'm either in the shower...or a hot tub.

7. I consider the BLOG BLITZ to be the most influential thing I've ever done here in the blogosphere.  Lifting someones spirits...if even for a short time...is definitely addicting.

BLOGS I LOVE

My opportunities to visit fellow blogger sites have been severely limited, so I really don't know who is doing great work now, (except of course Alex J. Cavanaugh - who is the north star for bloggers).  So Instead of pointing you to specific bloggers, I suggest you visit the blog of anyone who takes the time to comment on this post.  I guarantee you won't be disappointed -- I have some pretty amazing followers! :)

Six Guaranteed Ways to Boost Your Sex Hits (Oops, I Meant Site Hits)

Let’s talk about traffic.  No, I’m not talking about a jam up on Interstate 45 or how many red lights you have to sit through to get past a particular intersection. What I’m referring to is how many folks pay a visit to your blog on a daily basis. I think can share a few insights that I’ve gleamed from my years of blogging and surfing the internet that will help your site meter begin clicking faster. But I’m not talking about high-brow methods such as posting quality content like interviews with published authors or the occasional contests to give-away ARC’s.  No sir…I’m talking about those low-rent techniques you’re more likely to find being used by web-sites your security filter would scream about.  You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to figure this stuff out, just observant, and willing to lower your standards a bit. 

As you will soon see, one of the most important elements in getting web-browsers pointed in your direction is the title of your post, or web-link.  As every self-respecting salesman has been taught, “Getting them in the door is half the battle.” So, without further ado…here are my six simple tips:

1.  The most popular trick is structuring your blog post in the form of a numbered list. If you look around the most popular browser home-pages such as YAHOO, DIGG, or GOOGLE NEWS, you’ll see multiple examples of what I’m talking about.  This is a sampling just today of the real articles seeking attention on my own startup page.

Nine Most Badass (And Possibly Insane) Sports Of All-Time

Five Dance-Pop Remakes So Bad You’ll Puke

Ten Disappointing NFL Teams

Five Scary Cancer Questions

Eight Reasons you should watch Agent Carter tonight

Five Things We Want to Know about MC Hammer’s Jaz-Z Diss Video

The 25 Hottest Women Born in January

Five Reasons Why Bert & Ernie Should Come Out of the Closet

 

2. Whenever possible, use the word GUARANTEED in your title. Let’s face it, most people are gullible and will fall for that gimmick every time, certainly enough to get them through the door and reading the first paragraph of your blog. 

 

3. Technically, this could be considered 2B because it also involves the title. Find a way to work the word SEX into your title. Do I really have to explain that one? 

 

4. Change your domain name so it includes key wording used in the most frequent Google searches. For example: http://dlhammons.dallascowboycheerleaders.com. 

 

5. Decorations never hurt!

6. Finally, it doesn’t matter what you do to get the traffic flowing in your direction because unless you entertain them once they arrive, they won’t be back.  So you’d better make sure you elicit one of four things from your visitors while they are here…a nod of the head, a chuckle, a sigh, or a tear.  The internet is vast and counter-oriented to our attention spans, so here…more than anywhere…make every word count!

I hope everybody understands that my tongue is firmly planted in cheek, and I would never actually utilize any of these techniques.  I do have some measure of self-respect, after all! *wink*

The only sure way to guarantee a steady flow of visitors to your own blog is to read other blogs…often and repeatedly…and leave comments. That’s the reason I’ve only generated 10-12 comments per blog post recently – because I haven’t been around as much as I should.  But now that you know ALL of the secrets, I expect you’ll be seeing plenty movement.

Good luck! :)

The Endless Phase

There are 12 commonly accepted phases (or stages) of life, and they’re laid out something like this:

1.Prebirth:  Potential

2.Birth:  Hope
3.Infancy (Ages 0-3) Vitality
4.Early Childhood (Ages 3-6):  Playfulness
5.Middle Childhood (Ages 6-8):  Imagination  
6.Late Childhood (Ages 9-11):  Ingenuity
7.Adolescence (Ages 12-20):  Passion
8.Early Adulthood (Ages 20-35):  Enterprise   
9.Midlife (Ages 35-50):  Contemplation
10.Mature Adulthood (Ages 50-80): Benevolence
11.Late Adulthood (Age 80+):  Wisdom
12.Death & Dying:  Life

Intellectually I understand what that list is trying to tell me…that a phase represents a distinct stage of development, or a temporary pattern of behavior that follows a natural progression…but emotionally I tend to believe otherwise.  I can’t help but flashback to my youth where I’d frequently overhear my parents discussing how my infatuation with comic books, or action figures, or wanting to be a forest ranger (that was in college) was just a passing phase.  How many times have you heard something similar?  How many times have you said something similar?  You tell me…at what point does a fixation – a passion – normally manifested during a particular phase of the developmental process…become more than that?

Take my brother (older by one year) for example. He goes through phases like I go through clean underwear.  One month his phase is souping up old cars, the next its scuba diving, the next its dirt bikes, the next its gun collecting.  And when he goes through a phase, HE GOES THROUGH A PHASE, meaning that he becomes totally wrapped up in it and commits all of his time (and a lot of his money). But when he moves on to his next compulsion, he loses interest in the previous (which means they’ll be a flurry of activity on Ebay soon).

Seeing this behavior in my brother I’ve been asked by family members – and frankly I’ve poised the same question to myself – if my writing (and all that entails) was just a phase?  I bet a few of you have even asked the same question of yourself.  For my part, I’m going to do my best to answer that question here today.   

The seed that led to my infatuation with the written word and the roots that subsequently spouted from it were planted in junior high, blossomed with school newspaper in high school, and continued spreading as I moved into college majoring in Journalism. But this passion went dormant shortly thereafter, with only an occasional flash of life, as I was forced to confront the realities of GPA’s, school loans, early morning alarms and cold dinners, heart-stopping love, dirty diapers, mortgages, coaching clinics, scholarship applications and everything else that tend to induce follicle disembarkation and enlarged prostrates. It wasn’t until two of my three children had flown the coop that I found myself with spare time I was unaccustomed to. All it took was a sprinkle of attention and the warmth of my interest to rekindle a decades old love. That was almost eight years ago, and the funny thing is…I feel like I’m just now hitting my stride.

Is this a phase?  Though I may stop writing for a while…which I’ve done several times…that doesn’t mean I’ve moved on or that anything has ended.  This may be a phase…but if it is, it’s an endless one…with multiple levels to mark my continued development. I consider myself a work in progress, and that means the definition of ME is open-ended, but a piece that will always be part of that answer will be…writer.