Okay, had to talk with a REAL author so I bugged my dear friend Don Burgett. Well after I read his letter and laughed my arse off, I felt much better.
He told me about a writer friend of his and his constant rejections. One day his friend calls him up and says, "Don, I feel like a real writer and author now." I said "Congratulations, you made it." He replied, "No, I just received my first rejection."
Then he proceeded to tell me about a conversation with an editor. After I read this I told him that if I didn't know him, I would have thought he made it up. It is so absurd, you'll see...
He was discussing the move from Noville (it's in his book) with her, explaining, "...two Shermans at the head of our column were knocked out by German tanks and two of our tank destroyers raced forward from the rear on the right side of our column, the enemy was on the left of our column, to give aid with their hefty 90 mm. guns"
He went on to say she was appalled and with all seriousness and authority replied, "It's against the law in New York to pass on the right."
I told her, "Towns, cities, and countries have been destroyed, millions of people have been killed, murdered and enslaved, and you are worried about a New York law against passing on the right?"
See what writers have to contend with? I told you it was absurd. After reading that I was laughing so hard and took the editing job with a much lighter heart.
He went on to write more and I thanked him for giving me some perspective. He ended his letter to me like this, "Don't feel bad Marion, at least you're published, and it will get worse. Warm regards, Don Burgett"
Okay, see what I have to look forward to?