Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Is Timing Everything?

On January 26, my fellow blogger, Carol Kilgore at Under the Tiki Hut, wrote about wondering. Like her, I wonder a lot. I think “wondering” is okay as long as you don’t turn into one of Woody Allen’s neurotic characters (and yes, I love Woody!). So, I try to wonder without worrying, which brings me to my next topic: Wondering about a missed opportunity.

A few months ago, an editor, who appreciates my writing, generously offered to help me look for a publisher for my anthology. I was thrilled! We discussed the theme of my work, the number of stories I would include, and the chances of getting published. I thanked him and I followed up via email. Then life got in the way; I had to deal with a personal problem.

I focused on my problem for so long, I forgot about the wonderful proposal I had gotten earlier. Days turned into weeks, weeks into months, and months into 2011. Now I’m wondering if it’s too late to rekindle this conversation. I’m wondering whether the editor thought I was interested or not. I’m wondering if timing is everything.

Has my ship sailed? Have you ever missed a wonderful opportunity?
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37 comments:

  1. Carol KilgoreFebruary 2, 2011 at 11:27 PM

    Thanks for the shout out, Claudia. I would contact the editor, be totally upfront in as short a way as possible, and see what's what.

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  2. AlFebruary 3, 2011 at 2:25 AM

    It is always worth asking again. Yes they might say no if you ask. But my philosophy is always that if you do not ask they cannot say YES!

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  3. Lynda R Young as Elle CardyFebruary 3, 2011 at 2:27 AM

    It can't hurt to contact the editor again. Sometimes life happens. You never know, that opportunity might still be available :)

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  4. Old KittyFebruary 3, 2011 at 6:34 AM

    Oh please please grab that man, have a great lunch and rekindle that amazing conversation!!!! Tell him you've got a reader (me!)who loves anthologies and will be willing to purchase - yay! :-) Good luck - go jump on that ship!!!!!!!

    Take care
    x

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  5. Kelly L. Howarth M.Ed., PPCC Empowerment Coach Transition Partner Speaker AuthorFebruary 3, 2011 at 7:12 AM

    I think that things happen right on time and in their own time. It is all too easy for us to say "I should have done this or that." Truth is, we do get distracted, and that distraction might just be deliberate. In the greater scheme of things, it was not meant to be...at that time. Now that this is in front of you again, go for it. Make that contact. If it's meant to be, then it is never too late. Good luck with your Anthology! :-))

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  6. Claudia ZurcFebruary 3, 2011 at 8:18 AM

    OMG! Thank you so much for your wonderful words of encouragement to all of you! :)
    It's great to see that all of you agree on contacting the editor. Like Al said, what's the worst that can happen? If I don't try I might have another missed opportunity under my belt :(
    Old Kitty, I'll hold you to that "purchasing my anthology" LOL! ;)
    Kelly, I liked what you said things happen in their on time and then things fall into place.
    Thank you guys!

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  7. BenFebruary 3, 2011 at 8:23 AM

    I do think timing matters. In the writing, publishing, everywhere. Also, one missed opportunity might just give place to another. I wrote on the subject if anyone's interested to read:

    http://www.penswithcojones.com/2011/01/sweat-blood-and-tears-a-guest-post-by-benoit-lelievre/

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  8. Misha GerrickFebruary 3, 2011 at 8:37 AM

    I think that this is one of those cases where wondering means nothing.

    Contact him and ask.

    Good luck!

    :-)

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  9. Claudia ZurcFebruary 3, 2011 at 8:51 AM

    Hi Ben,
    You see? I missed reading your post. ;) LOL! Thanks for sharing it with us. I'll check it out.

    Hi Misha,
    Okay, so I will wonder NO more ;) I will call him and let's hope there's a positive outcome.

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  10. AnonymousFebruary 3, 2011 at 8:53 AM

    Hi Claudia. I was very happy when I saw your comment on Turkic Family Blog. They are not kilims, they are carpets (Halı in Turkish). You should also come to Antalya where is the magnificent city of the Mediterranean. I am sure that you will love Turkey. If you want to get more information about Antalya, you can visit my Antalya blog or my personal blog. Thank you for your sweet comment. Take care..

    http://antalya-magnificent-city.blogspot.com/

    http://isaburakgonca.blogspot.com/

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  11. Claudia ZurcFebruary 3, 2011 at 10:27 AM

    Hi IBG,
    Thanks for joining my blog ;)
    I already visited your Antalya blog and your city is indeed beautiful. Oh, I wish I were there right now.
    See you in the blogosphere!

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  12. adam.purpleFebruary 3, 2011 at 8:27 PM

    Claudia, do let us know how this turns out, as we keep our fingers crossed for you.

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  13. Claudia ZurcFebruary 3, 2011 at 9:21 PM

    Hi Adam,
    Thank you so much! I'm keeping my fingers crossed too ;)

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  14. CarlaFebruary 3, 2011 at 9:22 PM

    Hi Claudia,

    Thanks for visiting my blog! I've been reading through so many of your posts that I just decided to follow you and make my life easier! ;) Congratulations on the editor's interest...even if nothing more comes from it, you know you have some good stuff.

    ~Carla

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  15. Claudia ZurcFebruary 3, 2011 at 9:53 PM

    Thank you for your kind words, Carla :)
    I returned the favor and I'm now following you ;)
    Hope to see you around here soon!

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  16. Alleged AuthorFebruary 3, 2011 at 10:04 PM

    A ship never sails. When the idea is wonderful, you can bet someone will want to rep it. GO OUT AND DO IT! Seize the day, girlie!

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  17. Sharon K. MayhewFebruary 4, 2011 at 1:07 AM

    It sounds like you've decided what to do. :) Let us know how it turns out....finger, toes and eyes crossed for you.

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  18. Claudia ZurcFebruary 4, 2011 at 8:41 AM

    Thank you, ladies!
    @Alleged Author: thanks for your words of encouragement ;)

    @Sharon: Yes, I'll keep you posted. Keep your fingers crossed, but not your eyes, LOL!!!!

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  19. Angelina RainFebruary 4, 2011 at 4:28 PM

    If I were you I would contact the editor. Who knows, it could lead to the biggest sale of your life! And good luck with it!

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  20. Claudia ZurcFebruary 4, 2011 at 8:29 PM

    Hi Angelina,
    AWWW! I guess you're optimistic...I would definitely love to have a bestseller ;)
    Thank you for your positive words!

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  21. joanne foxFebruary 5, 2011 at 9:07 AM

    You have nothing to lose Claudia. Go for it, and good luck! x

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  22. Claudia ZurcFebruary 5, 2011 at 10:08 AM

    Thank you, Joanne! Keeping my fingers crossed.

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  23. AnonymousFebruary 5, 2011 at 5:45 PM

    Why not try and get in touch with her again?
    You'll never know if you don't.
    :)

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  24. WritingNutFebruary 5, 2011 at 7:16 PM

    I definitely think you should go for it... it's never too late to follow your dreams. I wish you the best of luck :)

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  25. Claudia ZurcFebruary 6, 2011 at 2:06 PM

    Hi Henya,
    What's the worst that can happen, right?

    Hey there, WritingNut,
    Thank you! I'm so happy I've gotten such positive feedback and encouragement: I'll do it!

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  26. Bossy BettyFebruary 7, 2011 at 10:03 AM

    That man is probably thinking of you right now wondering what happened. Hope you contact him!

    Thanks so much for coming by and becoming a follower!

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  27. Claudia ZurcFebruary 7, 2011 at 3:20 PM

    Hi Betty,
    Thank you for joining my blog. I really enjoyed visiting your blog: it's so colourful and full of positive posts. Keep up the good work!

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  28. MTeacressFebruary 7, 2011 at 11:53 PM

    You could always ask and see. Even if the ship has sailed, maybe the next ship is beyond anything you've ever dreamed of.

    Have a great week! :)

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  29. MyneFebruary 8, 2011 at 1:01 AM

    I think you should follow up too, that wouldn't hurt surely.

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  30. Claudia ZurcFebruary 8, 2011 at 8:25 AM

    Hi Michelle,
    Hmmm, you're right, the next ship could dock in publishing land ;)

    Hi Myne,
    Thank you for visiting my blog and sharing your thoughts. Hope to see again!

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  31. Claudia ZurcFebruary 8, 2011 at 8:27 AM

    oops! typo: @ Myne *Hope to see YOU again! it's too early in the morning, I need JAVA!

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  32. TaraFebruary 8, 2011 at 9:59 AM

    I say go for it!

    Thanks for stopping by my blog today :)

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  33. Claudia ZurcFebruary 8, 2011 at 10:15 AM

    You're welcome, Tara! Thank you for following my blog, ditto 4 me ;)

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  34. Stephanie ThorntonFebruary 9, 2011 at 12:46 AM

    I'm a new follower!

    I don't think you can call it a missed opportunity until you've asked- all they can say is no!

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  35. Claudia ZurcFebruary 9, 2011 at 8:47 AM

    Welcome, Stephanie!
    Hope to see you again (I visited your blog as well, and I'm your latest follower). :)

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  36. Sheila DeethFebruary 9, 2011 at 8:07 PM

    I hope you're going to get in touch with her. Maybe she got busy too.

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  37. Claudia ZurcFebruary 9, 2011 at 9:02 PM

    Hi Sheila,
    Hmmm, you've got a point there...never thought of that possibility. I know he's a busy guy so yes, perhaps he got busy as well.

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