Believing

Living with a children's author isn't as easy as it looks!

Believing

January 7, 2015

There would be no point to sending out stories if Mom didn’t believe somebody would love her work and will publish it. She believes like crazy. Part of the fun of setting goals and striving to get better at your craft is believing. She says, “I believe this is one of my best stories yet.” and “I believe this is the one.” and “I don’t believe you can’t find a better place to sit!”

Two pieces of tissue paper. Perfect place to plop down and snoopervise.

Believing doesn’t mean dreaming (not that there’s anything wrong with dreaming), and it doesn’t mean that nothing will ever go wrong. Sometimes things go wrong.

Things that go wrong are called Rejections. They’re also called I’m-Stuck. And Where’s-the-Conflict. And What’s-the-Point-of-This. When these things go wrong, Mom revises, switches to a different project, adds in a new problem for her character, or takes away some paragraphs and starts in a spot that makes the point clear.

Then she sweeps the broken glass off the floor and throws away my tissue paper bed. Go figure.

Unbelievable…

Category:

acceptance, children's literature, ideas, picture book writing, rejection, revising, submitting

72 Comments

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Comments on: "Believing" (72)

wallaceandsamuel said:

January 7, 2015 at 2:53 am

Unbelievable indeed!! Loving your new winter coat Miss Cupcake, tre chic!
Wally & Sammy
- Genevieve Petrillo said:
  
  January 7, 2015 at 4:34 pm
  
  Thanks, W and S. Tre chic! Wow. Nobody ever spoke ….Italian to me before….
  
  Love and licks,
  C
fozziemum said:

January 7, 2015 at 4:16 am

Well I believe that your new coat is adorable, and I believe that tissue paper makes a great bed, and I believe your mum will keep believing because she is a determined mum! but throwing your bed out.. unbelievable indeed sweet Cupcake 🙂 loves Fozziemum xxx
- Genevieve Petrillo said:
  
  January 7, 2015 at 4:35 pm
  
  Thanks, FM. The tissue paper was cool and crisp!
  
  Love and licks,
  C
  - fozziemum said:
    
    January 7, 2015 at 4:57 pm
    
    I bet it was Cupcake 🙂 loves Fozziemum xx
onespoiledcat said:

January 7, 2015 at 5:41 am

Hi Cupcake! I love your new coat…..it looks nice and snuggly! I also think that it’s a shame your Mom didn’t let you keep your tissue paper bed – you know I’m BIG on tissue – it’s nice and noisy when you lie down on it and Mom gives me two fresh sheets of tissue every single week so I can snooze on it! My Mom says she knows about “believing”……life would be pretty sad if we didn’t believe in something – most especially ourselves!

Hugs, Sammy
- Genevieve Petrillo said:
  
  January 7, 2015 at 4:37 pm
  
  Thanks, S. Your mom is a smart one. She knows about believing AND provides your tissue. I may have to come and stay at your house.
  
  Love and licks,
  C
fredrieka said:

January 7, 2015 at 5:51 am

always believe, it is one step forward two steps back butt you get where your going
- Genevieve Petrillo said:
  
  January 7, 2015 at 4:38 pm
  
  Thanks, F. I don’t mind slow going… As long as it’s still going!
  
  Love and licks,
  C
Pix Under the Oaks said:

January 7, 2015 at 8:24 am

Yep I thought maybe Sammy had sent you a note about tissue paper! Cupcake your new coat is so stylish and I am thinking very warm. Believing is very important!
- Genevieve Petrillo said:
  
  January 7, 2015 at 4:40 pm
  
  Thanks, Pix. Sammy is my tissue paper (and snoopervising) mentor.
  
  Love and licks,
  C
colorpencil2014 said:

January 7, 2015 at 8:28 am

A very stylish coat indeed and again a smart Tartan. Believe is one of the most beautiful words in the world, next to Love and Hope and Share. xo Johanna
- Genevieve Petrillo said:
  
  January 7, 2015 at 4:42 pm
  
  Thanks, J. I love all those favorite words, too! They make me happy! And hopeful…
  
  Love and licks,
  C
hutchagoodlife said:

January 7, 2015 at 8:40 am

Loving that coat 😉

You’re such a style icon!!

xxxx
- Genevieve Petrillo said:
  
  January 7, 2015 at 4:45 pm
  
  Thanks, boys. Mom keeps me in style. And warm…
  
  Love and licks,
  C
PigLove said:

January 7, 2015 at 9:13 am

I love the way your mom thinks. And you in your coat – WOW! You are so adorable! XOXO – Bacon
- Cupcake said:
  
  January 7, 2015 at 8:36 pm
  
  Thanks, B. Adorableness is a goal of mine.
  
  Love and licks,
  C
Coccolino said:

January 7, 2015 at 9:19 am

Cupcake, you look beautiful in your new coat. Without belief and hope that things will turn out the way you want, there is no point at all! Your mom has it right.
- Cupcake said:
  
  January 7, 2015 at 8:40 pm
  
  Thanks, K. Mom is a good thinker. She can psych things out pretty well, sometimes.
  
  Love and licks,
  C
easyweimaraner said:

January 7, 2015 at 9:57 am

That was very wise , believing is not dreaming, yes! They are related but more like catty second cousins :o) no worries cupcake, only 351 and you will get new tissue papers :o)
- Cupcake said:
  
  January 7, 2015 at 8:43 pm
  
  Yay! Thanks, E. Now I have something to look forward to. I’ll count the days. Wait. I don’t know how to count. I’ll just wait….
  
  Love and licks,
  C
Tails Around the Ranch said:

January 7, 2015 at 10:11 am

Excellent advice! And never fear, Cupcake, no doubt there’s a better ‘bed’ for you down the line. 🙂
- Cupcake said:
  
  January 7, 2015 at 8:44 pm
  
  Thanks, Tails. I’m going to try a towel tomorrow. That could be something…..
  
  Love and licks,
  C
Will and Eko said:

January 7, 2015 at 11:17 am

Dream and believe, but you also mentioned the most important thing – do! Work and effort pay off.
- Cupcake said:
  
  January 7, 2015 at 8:45 pm
  
  Thanks, W. I am more of a doer than a thinker, on account of my tiny brain.
  
  Love and licks,
  C
firstandfabulous said:

January 7, 2015 at 2:39 pm

Mom has tons of resolve. 😉
And quit making such a mess, dogfriend! 😍
- Cupcake said:
  
  January 7, 2015 at 8:50 pm
  
  Thanks, G. Messes are my specialty. I have been practicing messes for 5 years. I’m pretty good at it by now.
  
  Love and licks,
  C
Misaki said:

January 7, 2015 at 3:34 pm

Love your new coat 🙂
- Cupcake said:
  
  January 7, 2015 at 8:51 pm
  
  Thanks, M. Plaid is my color.
  
  Love and licks,
  C
quirkybooks said:

January 7, 2015 at 3:55 pm

I love the snooppervise bit, it made me laugh.
quirkybooks said:

January 7, 2015 at 3:56 pm

And I can’t spell snoopervise – Keep believing in you x
- Cupcake said:
  
  January 7, 2015 at 8:57 pm
  
  Thanks, S. Somebody’s gotta be in charge over here….
  
  Love and licks,
  C
  - quirkybooks said:
    
    January 7, 2015 at 9:02 pm
    
    Good – Especially of the food! And biscuits, don’t forget the biscuits!
dayphoto said:

January 7, 2015 at 4:54 pm

SHISH! Sometimes our people just don’t get it!

Boomer

Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com/?s=The+Adventures+of+Fuzzy+and+Boomer&submit=Search
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
- Cupcake said:
  
  January 7, 2015 at 8:57 pm
  
  I know, B. We have to teach these humans everything. Comfortable is in the eye of the beholder.
  
  Love and licks,
  C
ptnozell said:

January 7, 2015 at 8:20 pm

With your super snoopervision, Cupcake, Mom is sure to have an unbelievable year!
- Cupcake said:
  
  January 7, 2015 at 9:00 pm
  
  Thanks, P. That’s exactly what we’re hoping. This will be the best year ever!
  
  Love and licks,
  C
readingwithrhythm said:

January 7, 2015 at 9:19 pm

I believe that your mom is on the right track, but she might have gotten bumped off with the tissue paper. I believe that my Mom Person would be thrilled if I could settle on tissue paper for a bed.
- Genevieve Petrillo said:
  
  January 9, 2015 at 11:02 am
  
  What a bummer, R. The tissue bed was comfy. Mom said there are 99 more places I could sit. I know that, but….
  
  Love and licks,
  C
thehappyhugger said:

January 8, 2015 at 4:15 am

You look gorgeous as usual, Cupcake, and your mom is an inspiration 💖
- Genevieve Petrillo said:
  
  January 9, 2015 at 11:03 am
  
  Thanks, M. Mom IS an inspiration. Plus she needs an inspiration. That’s me!
  
  Love and licks,
  C
Marg said:

January 8, 2015 at 7:04 am

Cupcake, your Mom has a great attitude. I bet she is very successful. You sure are cute and we like your new coat too. You all have a great day.
- Genevieve Petrillo said:
  
  January 9, 2015 at 11:04 am
  
  Thanks, M. If successful means she never gives up, then YES – Mom is successful. Even the worst writing news doesn’t make her stop trying.
  
  Love and licks,
  C
thiskidreviewsbooks said:

January 8, 2015 at 9:00 am

Great analogy! 😀 I like your last photo! 😀
- Genevieve Petrillo said:
  
  January 9, 2015 at 11:05 am
  
  Thanks, E. That last picture shows my thinking face.
  
  Love and licks,
  C
katie isabella said:

January 8, 2015 at 10:25 am

Cupcake, you said a mouthful here. Mom and I agree with your mom and we hope those rejections and queries as to the content stop it right NOW or NO treats for them!!!
- Genevieve Petrillo said:
  
  January 9, 2015 at 11:06 am
  
  Thanks, KI. I agree that withholding treats might teach some of these naughty events to settle down and be nice!
  
  Love and licks,
  C
cafall said:

January 8, 2015 at 3:20 pm

Haha – sometimes the method to fix something doesn’t always make sense! …but, you gotta do it!

Monty and Harlow
- Genevieve Petrillo said:
  
  January 9, 2015 at 11:07 am
  
  So true, M and H. Mom loves the writing and hates the fixing. And it’s all about the fixing after all.
  
  Love and licks,
  C
Jodi said:

January 8, 2015 at 3:44 pm

Believing is the only way. Without it we would probably not accomplish much at all. 🙂
- Genevieve Petrillo said:
  
  January 9, 2015 at 11:08 am
  
  I agree, J. The believing comes before ANYTHING else.
  
  Love and licks,
  C
The Canadian Cats said:

January 8, 2015 at 5:54 pm

Your mom is so wise Cupcake. She is right that we all must believe in something.

(((Shoko)))
- Genevieve Petrillo said:
  
  January 9, 2015 at 11:08 am
  
  Thanks, S. The more we believe, the more is likely to happen.
  
  Love and licks,
  C
jakesprinter said:

January 8, 2015 at 9:25 pm

Great post Cupcake …Believing is a kind of feelings,
…..sometimes we cannot explain directly..I mean it`s for myself 🙂
- Genevieve Petrillo said:
  
  January 9, 2015 at 11:10 am
  
  Thanks, J. You said it right. Believing is tough to pin down, but keeping that feeling makes things happen.
  
  Love and licks,
  C
LovableLobo said:

January 9, 2015 at 4:17 pm

We BELIEVE that you are too cute, Cupcake, and that you and your mom are lucky to have each other. Happy New Year!
- Genevieve Petrillo said:
  
  January 10, 2015 at 10:16 am
  
  Thanks, LL. Mom would agree, because she says she doesn’t know If she rescued me or if I rescued her. Isn’t that silly? Of course I rescued her!!
  
  Love and licks,
  C
kolytyi said:

January 10, 2015 at 9:02 am

One the one hand, your mom seems to realise that failure is often the way to success because you are forced to make changes, put extra efforts into your work, or take a new perspective. On the other hand, your mom does not seem to realise the analogy between her failures and your failures. A broken glass or torn tissue paper are also ways for something greater such as ??? – I dunno but I’m sure such things might also develop into something brilliant. Maybe, on the third hand, you should take a cookie from the pocket of your new cute coat and give it your mom in order to calm and motivate her. She should believe stronger and not so selectively, after all.
- Genevieve Petrillo said:
  
  January 10, 2015 at 10:14 am
  
  GAH! You are brilliant, K. I think by taking my tissue bed away, Mom believed I’d find a soft, comfy place to rest. But what she forgets is, I only want to be in the middle of whatever she’s doing. She calls it, “Underfoot.” Underfoot is my favorite place to be.
  
  Love and licks,
  C
Writer Rabbit said:

January 10, 2015 at 12:43 pm

Ha ha Cupcake
angelswhisper2011 said:

January 10, 2015 at 2:44 pm

Cupcake, I think you have to believe now that the tissue-bed is coming back in no time…I mean, we believe that 😀 Pawkisses for a Happy Weekend 🙂 ❤
- Cupcake said:
  
  January 11, 2015 at 2:49 pm
  
  Thanks, Little B. I think kitties have better luck with tissue paper than doggies. But I will hope and believe.
  
  Love and licks,
  C
Tracy Campbell said:

January 11, 2015 at 2:56 pm

Cupcake, I like your mom’s attitude. 🙂
- Cupcake said:
  
  January 12, 2015 at 6:24 am
  
  Thanks, T. She learned a lot from me…
  
  Love and licks,
  C
Penny Parker Klostermann said:

January 11, 2015 at 5:02 pm

Sorry about the tissue paper bed, Cupcake! And I know your mom will keep believing like crazy!
- Cupcake said:
  
  January 12, 2015 at 6:25 am
  
  Thanks, P. Truth be told, there ARE softer and more comfy places to sit around here.
  
  Love and licks,
  C
Patricia Tilton said:

January 12, 2015 at 11:10 am

For some reason your post didn’t appear in my reader. Your mom will always keep believing because she knows how it feels to write a good book. “Keep Your Ear on the Ball” is one of my favorites — such a great message. Archie hasn’t shown interest in tissue paper, but he’s now obsessed with plastic bags. He knows I hid his Christmas stocking (with a squeaky toy and treats) in a plastic bag. He found it before Christmas. So when he sees a plastic bag, he BELIEVES there is something there for him.
It's Dog or Nothingt said:

January 12, 2015 at 5:06 pm

Love your coat and love the advice!
- Genevieve Petrillo said:
  
  January 14, 2015 at 6:34 am
  
  Thanks, D or N. My coat is super-warm for when it’s super-cold.
  
  Love and licks,
  C
colliesofthemeadow said:

January 13, 2015 at 8:58 pm

Your mom is a wonderful writer…. dad always says he wishes he could write like her…. he also says he loves your style in clothing Cupcake! 🙂
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