Earlier this month I wrote about trying to get one of my unpublished manuscripts out in the world. One agent gave me a nibble, but I must have jerked on the line too hard: she swam away. I am still hopeful because clearly, I’m still on page one of my novel writing career. Despite years of scribbling, page one is difficult to move past. Page two weighs about ten thousand pounds and I keep losing my grip, my hands are sweaty and weak. . . (and I am mixing my metaphors, whatever, sue me).
I want to move on to page two. I’m nearly desperate to move on to that golden, shining page, but really, what does it matter? I’m not going to stop writing. I could make it to age 99 and still have my sci-fi novels unpublished and I’ll be tapping away at my keyboard. Or maybe I’ll just be thinking the words directly into my computer, courtesy of the neuro-implant we’re all going to have eventually that connects us to the digital world forever, at all times.
Ahem.
Okay, that’s one of my ideas for yet another novel. I seem to be overflowing with ideas these days, which is a welcome change from my twenties where I had nothing, NOTHING in my head except a vain hope for a full night’s sleep.
And with that, I’ll leave you with page two of my unpublished, in dire need of an agent, sci-fi novel, The Quantum Archives. (Psst, Brigita? I posted this for you.)
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Quantum imager on display through December
By Thomas Miles, Associated Planet Press Writer
September 8, 2099 4:35 PM EDT
NEW YORK (APP) — Scientist Sarah Metis invented the quantum neuro-imager with the help of her sister, Eve Metis, a neuro-linguist. Though the imager only worked for a short time, the experiments and data from the recorded vocal fragments, catalogued by Eve, changed the face of human society, both religious and scientific. Advances in the fields of neuroscience, quantum physics, psychology, and many others were made possible, though the rise of the Post-Charasmatic religious group, Daestar, was also spurred by the invention of the imager. Nonetheless, most people agree that the benefits to humanity outweigh the negatives. Advances made in the medical field were especially welcome as research into the brain and genetics became more accurate. Most people alive today enjoy an extended life expectancy that would not have been possible without the new imaging technology invented by scientists studying Sarah Metis’s quantum imager.
The device, catalogued archives, and media of the Metis sisters and their work are on display through December 2099 in celebration of the 50th anniversary of Sarah Metis’ death. Because security is heightened for the duration of the exhibit, all visitors must submit to a search before entering. All visitors are accompanied by a guide and no one will be allowed to stay longer than the one-hour limit. No unauthorized representatives of Daestar will be admitted. For further information, please visit the Newton Society Museum’s website.
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Christine Klocek-Lim 
Thanks for posting this. I'm usually not into pure sci-fi lit but I like it when it also encompasses philosophical and religious questions. Both excerpts that you posted hint at how the invention "changed the face of human society, both religious and scientific." Intriguing! Long descriptions of physical phenomena don't convince me (mostly because I don't have a clue about physics), but show me how they affect the life and beliefs of an ordinary person and I'm in. ;)And I agree with how difficult it is to get published. I have a collection of short stories and a poetry chapbook finished but I'm beginning to think they'll never see the light of day. And I'm working on another ms … *sigh*Just curious, are you a member of any writing groups?
It's great; I'd publish it. But then I'm a writer, what do I know? Consider: publishers disappear overnight – we carry on writing, uploading to our blogs, helping each other. We disappear overnight, publishers disappear the day after.
Brigita, thanks. It's actually not pure sci-fi because I'm so much more interested in character development. Thanks for reading and sorry it took so long to reply.Getting published: I've been feeling very discouraged lately. I've stopped submitting for now so I don't get so many rejections all at once. Maybe I'll start trying again in a few months.Writing groups? Online, yes. In real life? No. It's on my list of things to do though. There's an active literary group in my area.Dick, thanks for reading. I guess the only thing that lasts is the words themselves, not the people or the presses.