[“Quaker Notes”]
As I’ve recently noted to a loyal reader of this blog, I am currently engaged in what I call The Slog, i.e. the process of sending off query letters to agents and publishers so as to find a good home for Welling Up. It’s an apt word, slog, for all its pithy four-letterness, meaning both toil—oh, yeah!—but also to walk “with a slow, labored gait.” Again: oh, yeah!
Etymologically, slog and slug seem to share common ancestry, also apt. Because query letters are, basically, trying to grab super-busy people’s shoulders; getting their attention, hitting them hard: “Hey! You! Yeah, you! Listen up! Do I have a book for you!”
And, yes, I’m braced for those super-busy people to slug me back, so to speak, with indifference or polite, rote phrases: “Thank you for interest but . . . ” Rejection is integral to The Slog. (And this is not my first rodeo.)
‘Course the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting something different. The Slog will not continue indefinitely; Plan B will tap me on the shoulder when she’s good and ready.
But meanwhile, while she’s polishing her nails or getting her hair done or whatever Plan B needs to do before making her grand entrance I plan to slog, to walk slowly and as I’ve been urged to do, cheerfully.*
“Walk cheerfully over the world answering that of God in everyone.” George Fox, founder of the Society of Friends (Quakers); 1656
Dear Patricia,
Hi, there, my so, so very dearly special and precious white friend and sister who you are For Always so, so very much, Patricia!!!!!!! I just so love this grandly great and inspirational blog post article of yours, sister!!!!!! My friend, I love and so admire how you are aiming to be cheerfully steadfast as you work so diligently in your process of seeking people to take notice of your grand work of masterful composition with your magnificent book, Welling Up, and how you are working to heartily to gain a publisher for this very fine and excellent work, Patricia!!!!!! I love your strength in all of this strident effort and how you just keep on keeping on, keep on trying, and keep the faith in this very gradual process that can for certain be understandable in how it tries the patience and the very nerves as you have to wait so patiently for others to take notice and to finally respond to your urgent quests. I like how you broke down the definitions of slog and slug, sisterfriend-I feel like I have learned something new here, Patricia!!!!!! This is just such an insightful and inspirational blog post article. As I bear witness to your undaunted and ongoing effort you are making without giving up this only serves to enhance my very spirituality, Patricia, and to be an example to me of how to endure with patience, expectancy, and hope, and to For Always keep my faith and hope alive with a positive optimism!!!!! Thank-you for this, my white friend and sister, Patricia!!!!!!
Patricia, I am here for you For Always and praying for and thinking of you daily and often in general, but also as you work your way through with this very gradual and nerve-wracking process of trying to get people to check out your splendid book and in seeking a publisher for it!!!!! I send to you my prayers, hopes, wishes, and positive energy all of your way, sister!!!!!! Please have a wondrously wonderful Wednesday and the rest of your week, and may all of your days be so, so very especially blessed, Patricia!!!!!!!
Very Warmly and Sincerely For Always, my precious white sister, Patricia, with Peace and Love To You For Always, my white friend, and Blessings and Even More Blessings To You For Always,
Your Christian lesbian black friend and sister For Always in solidarity, Sherry Gordon
The “cheerfully” part is particularly notable and prominent in you, dear.