On Being Nominated for my Microstory and a Poem “Winter Wonder” from My Dear Mom
Today, Laura shares some musings on the writing life and a few winter words from her mother’s pen...
IN THIS ISSUE OF MORE MILES TO GO...:
Laura’s Idle Chatter: On the Art of Being Brave and “Winter Wonder”
Shop Talk: Nomination for Best Microfiction 2025 Anthology
Bodywork: Healthy Makeover with Dr. Andrew Weil
Letter from the Editor
LAURA’S IDLE CHATTER: A FEW WORDS ON WRITING BRAVERY AND A POEM FROM THE DESK OF DONNA TURNER
Happy New Year to all, and welcome to all my new subscribers and followers! I’ve been revisiting my “why,” as they say in fiction writing, and am reestablishing here the reasons I’ve embarked on this journey of dedicating my life to writing. If you are new here, my journey started like this: When I lost my mom in July of 2023, I decided that I was going to go all in on being a novelist. My mother had an amazing gift for the written word, and I knew if she could have had her way, she would have written professionally. Instead, she was a devoted mother and caregiver, and sadly, she missed her chance. So I wanted to continue to honor her writing aspirations, and, to be honest, the writing keeps her close to my heart with every written word. So here I am, hoping the universe is friendly to my plans and marking my More Miles to Go...
All this to say I’m at the point now where I have finished the major rewrites to my latest novel and am undertaking the pitching process to agents. This effort requires a large amount of bravery as there is much rejection and much “ghosting,” which I’ve found to be an even worse form than rejection. Ghosting (or CNR, closed, no response) is just as it sounds, sending pitches that take several hours to construct into the ethers, and no response is returned whatsoever.
I began the process before the holidays and thought I would test the market with my magnum opus. To date, this is my fourth novel; technically my fifth if one were to count the novel I wrote after college that became what is affectionately known as the “under the bed” novel. Although I have thought of trying to retool it for modern times, I guess that remains to be seen at this point, and I have been adding to the “under the bed” novels ever since. Right now, I’m winding up my pitches again with my biggest effort yet and preparing to send out another batch.
To summarize, the first “batch” to agents was in its infancy and needed to be developed after some feedback. Therefore, after the first round came in, I did some retooling over the holiday, and now I’m hoping my query and first 50 pages are much stronger – they are about the best I can get them for the time being. For metrics, I have about 140 agents on my list, but I really want to find someone I love. I will keep you apprised of what my findings are. The score so far: three ghosts and four cookie-cutter rejections, two personal and kind (sorry, not for me but...) rejections encouraging me to keep going.
In other matters, I am (still) trying to break into Woman’s World magazine’s short romance fiction column. With my latest submission, I had some help from an editor who knows the lay of the land, and we think we may have a winner. The story I submitted was earmarked for March, so I will let you know what develops with that.
Finally, to honor my mom here, as always, as she is my reason, I wanted to share with you another of her poems. She had a lovely gift and way with words, especially as it pertains to the seasons. This is one of her winter pieces from her collection “From Where I Am.” And with this, I give you “Winter Wonder”:
Winter Wonder There is a pleasure in winter woods A rapture from the trees galore A society of deer today Where humans do not intrude By the snow covered hills Its frozen beauty roars. From my window view In which I steal All I may be or have been before To mingle today with the universe and feel What I can never express, And today cannot conceal.
SHOP TALK: A NOMINATION FOR THE BEST MICROFICTION 2025 ANTHOLOGY
In the last update, I mentioned receiving notice that one of my short romantic stories, A Fresh Start, would be featured in a new online romance magazine, Micromance Magazine, out here on Substack. Subsequently, the editor Gail Lynn also ran a short microfiction (my favorite writing form next to the novel) in a later issue I called Love Me Tinder. In addition, she nominated the short work for the “Best Microfiction 2025 Anthology.” The decision will be made this summer. She also nominated the piece for her Cupid Prize for excellence in “love lit.” Hurray for Love Me Tinder! Do be sure to check out her litmag; I have a link on the right of my page. She has been so supportive of me, and I am beyond grateful.
BODYWORK: ONE HEALTH GURU AT A TIME. MY EXPERIENCE WITH 8 WEEKS TO OPTIMUM HEALTH WITH DR. ANDREW WEIL
In past issues of More Miles to Go..., I’ve written about my personal health philosophy. With that said, during my studies as a natural health practitioner and a medical student, I have amassed quite a health-related lending library. Dr. Weil has never been much on my radar, but I came across his book 8 Weeks to Optimum Health on my shelf and continue to use his method for a much-needed health tune-up.
As I’ve mentioned, the book is a tad dated, but I’m still giving it a read again, adding my own annotations, making some necessary adjustments, and working through the highlights. Week two gives some sound advice that still holds (check with your doctor first before making changes, always). Here are a few of my favorite things:
Stop drinking chlorinated water and filter your drinking water.
Eat fish when you can, or take a fish oil supplement, and eat broccoli twice each week.
Substitute whole grains when eating carbs wherever you can.
Buy green tea and substitute it for coffee as much as possible.
Walk at least 15 minutes a day, five days a week.
Try a one-day news fast. Do not read, watch, or listen to any news for one day. (I would love to do this every day!)
As I mentioned, I will spend the next months working through the book and will meet you back here with more of my favorite things (as well as my own additions). If you’d like to follow along, you can find his book on Amazon.
A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR:
Thank you again for subscribing to More Miles to Go... I appreciate your time and interest in my writing work and wellness philosophy. The comments are open. If you’d like to support me, please click on the little heart “like” button below, or feel free to leave me a comment. As always, I value your feedback as well as your precious time. See you down the road in the coming months. Happy New Year, everybody!
Laugh and Be Well,
Laura
Nice, Laura!
Well done Laura!