Lake Atitlan, Panajachel, Guatemala

Monday, June 20, 2011

Riding that Train to Publication

Why a train? Not a plane, that's too fast. Not a car, that's too comfortable. Not a bus, that's just gross. A nice Amtrak train, that's how I see it. If you've never ridden Amtrak, you should try it at least once for the experience.

Now that we are settled into the train to publication let's play that traveling game, "I'm going on a journey and this is what I'm taking." It's supposed to be alphabetical, where everyone goes round in a circle taking something on the journey with the next letter of the alphabet, but I'm changing the rules because I'm one person playing alone hoping you will join me if you can. And the word alphabet stresses me out ever since April.

So here goes!  I am going on a journey to publication, and this is what I am taking---

imagination           persistence         time       dedication           procrastination             frustration           hard work       

my laptop!   
   pens and paper         books!     

quick and easy meals         long walks        naps
 commitment        determination            the internet   a positive attitude           
writing friends

and don't forget those unwelcome passengers on my journey-- 

depression          disappointment         discouragement             despair           doubt   disillusion

Who are these people, and why do all their names begin with D? They must all be from the same family. They should be banned from the train. They make the journey so unpleasant, driving others away with their misery. Go away D- people!

Let's play! What will you bring along on your publication journey?
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40 comments:

  1. Jennifer LaneJune 20, 2011 at 7:05 AM

    I'm bringing bravery and perseverance! (some chocolate too) ;)

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  2. Glynis Peters June 20, 2011 at 7:07 AM

    Great list. I will start off the E train. E-books,energy, exercise, expression.

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  3. Suzie F.June 20, 2011 at 7:14 AM

    Fun idea, Karen!

    I'm bringing a strong cup of coffee, my characters, and peace and quiet.

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  4. Alex J. CavanaughJune 20, 2011 at 7:16 AM

    My iPad and a sense of humor! And buses are disgusting.

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  5. Carol KilgoreJune 20, 2011 at 7:16 AM

    Determination. Zeal. Exuberance. Wine. A masseuse.

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  6. Paul Anthony ShorttJune 20, 2011 at 7:21 AM

    Imagination, determination, enthusiasm!

    And wine. Gotta have a nice glass of wine along the way.

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  7. Dana ElmendorfJune 20, 2011 at 7:21 AM

    Patience. Confidence. And a Dictionary.

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  8. AnonymousJune 20, 2011 at 7:25 AM

    Strength--to endure to the end.

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  9. TaleiJune 20, 2011 at 7:33 AM

    Love it!! Champers, oysters and that truffle burger - I'll bring enough for everyone!! :P

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  10. Linda G.June 20, 2011 at 7:47 AM

    I'll hop aboard that train! As long as you leave the Ds off. Well, except for Determination, of course. :)

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  11. Beverly DiehlJune 20, 2011 at 7:58 AM

    I'm with Jennifer - bringing the chocolate! A notebook, and hope.

    I say, we give the "D's" their own car, and only allow one a time into the car where the rest of us are riding.

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  12. JayneJune 20, 2011 at 7:58 AM

    I think dedication and determination have a worthy place on that train. I hope it passes through nice scenery on the way!

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  13. L. Diane WolfeJune 20, 2011 at 8:07 AM

    Add thick skin and ingenuity. And people skills!

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  14. Amy SaiaJune 20, 2011 at 8:37 AM

    Music, and a willingness to adapt with every stop at every station.

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  15. Jai JoshiJune 20, 2011 at 9:28 AM

    I'm taking focus!

    Jai

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  16. Mary@GigglesandGunsJune 20, 2011 at 9:34 AM

    Dictionary because with allergy meds the spelling brain gets foggy. Yeah, I know spell check but sometimes there are too many choices ;0(

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  17. Talli RolandJune 20, 2011 at 10:20 AM

    I would love to ban those D words from the train. GET OFF!

    Um... wine. Coffee. Cupcakes. What can I say, I like tangible things! :)

    Great post, Karen!

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  18. Simon KewinJune 20, 2011 at 10:26 AM

    Yeah, great list. Hate those D's and their evil pal Rejection. Let's have fun, coffee and chocolate along instead!

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  19. UnknownJune 20, 2011 at 11:50 AM

    This was awesome!!! Not all D words can be bad thankfully and those I try and use to push away all the bad D-Words.

    Determination. Dancing (it's needed... trust me). Delivering. Inspiration, Positive feedback (I put it on my wall for added motivation!)

    Then there are the fun ones - cupcakes, caffiene, trash tv.

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  20. Susan Flett SwiderskiJune 20, 2011 at 1:50 PM

    How about some humility and a sense of humor? I think the trip would be pretty rough without them.

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  21. Eddie BluelightsJune 20, 2011 at 1:51 PM

    Anything positive I can get my hands on - glad you destroyed all those negative things that seem to crop up when we least want them.

    I think I should bring my laptop and write a few posts and start my funny cookbook LOL.

    Been a while calling. I have been denied internet and phone for 2 weeks but glad to have it back with a new service provider. Did a post on the unbelievable incompetence of my previous one.

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  22. Old KittyJune 20, 2011 at 2:21 PM

    A lover! LOL!! Oh come on!! they're great for de-stressing! Ok, off I go to sit by myself in the back end of the 3rd class carriage. Sigh! Take care
    x

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  23. UnknownJune 20, 2011 at 4:09 PM

    I like your train analogy. Did anyone mention chocolate? Or at least a water bottle. Both seem to calm me and keep me going.

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  24. Jan MorrisonJune 20, 2011 at 4:49 PM

    I love writing on the train! I'm bringing a 'D' word - discipline. And wit and balance and a whole pack of blog writing pals - we can meet in the bar car after a good stretch of writing!

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  25. UnknownJune 20, 2011 at 5:15 PM

    Forget the d-people. I'm going to bring my confidence.

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  26. Rob-bearJune 20, 2011 at 6:07 PM

    Hmmmm. Why is it that we need d-people? Why cannot we have many, many fun-people? Those are the kind of people you want on your publish-train.

    Whatever.

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  27. Vicki RochoJune 20, 2011 at 8:01 PM

    What fun! Thank you for not making us repeat what everyone before us said...

    I'm bringing vision and voice

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  28. Jessica BellJune 20, 2011 at 9:58 PM

    I think the first four will suffice! :o) xxx

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  29. dolorahJune 20, 2011 at 10:41 PM

    My laptop definitely; but also a paper notebook so I can jot down links and research without constantly alt-tabbin and forgetting where I've been in the process of surfung one more ink and accidentally hitting X instead of -

    And a cheerleader for when my enthusiasm ultimately takes a disasterous hit.

    ........dhole

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  30. Kerri CuevJune 21, 2011 at 8:26 AM

    Love this post! Determination and blogger buddies. It would be no fun without them :)

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  31. Hilary Melton-ButcherJune 21, 2011 at 9:09 AM

    Hi Karen .. perseverance and creativity .. along with my blog & getting to meet loads of people along the way ..

    Cheers Hilary

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  32. Melissa Ann GoodwinJune 21, 2011 at 6:44 PM

    a snuggly blanket, potato chips and other people's great writing.

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  33. Rosaria WilliamsJune 21, 2011 at 7:55 PM

    So true, drop those 'd' people and remain on board to the final destination.

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  34. Nicki ElsonJune 21, 2011 at 8:55 PM

    Don't forget D's nasty cousin---Exhaustion! But all the other letters win out...not that we want to put them in order and make a blogfest out of it, heehee.

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  35. Shannon LawrenceJune 21, 2011 at 11:04 PM

    Fun! I'll bring along creativity, my laptop, chocolate, some lovely hot tea, characters and maybe some popcorn for a bit of crunch!

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  36. Lynda R Young as Elle CardyJune 22, 2011 at 1:46 AM

    There's one good member of the D-family: delight! It's a delight to be on the train to publication, and a delight to write.

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  37. Ellie GarrattJune 22, 2011 at 4:04 AM

    Those naughty Ds! I'd bring along health and happiness.

    Awesome post!

    Ellie Garratt

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  38. Terri TiffanyJune 22, 2011 at 8:41 AM

    I'm bring the big H--HOPE!!Hope that I will never jump off and that some day Hope will carry me through.

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  39. AnonymousJune 22, 2011 at 9:32 AM

    Gotta bring my jammies. When I don my Superhero pajamas, I can leap tall buildings in a single bound, fly faster than a speeding bullet, and write a good 2000 words a day.

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  40. RosieCJune 22, 2011 at 7:16 PM

    I'm going on my writing journey, and I'm taking patience (with myself and the process) and some deodorant for those D-people. There's always something about folks on public transportation that smell (or are those just the bus people?).

    Fun post, Karen!

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