So. Writing errors. Yeah, let’s just say they happen to everyone, usually at the worst possible moment. You know, like that big pimple on your chin the morning before a hot date. Can we all collectively groan with a big, been there, done that? I recently had a whopper of typo, and of course it was sent to the agent of my dreams. Yep. caught it about point three seconds after I had hit send— My heart literally stopped, bile jacked up my throat, and I broke out into a cold sweat…
and then laughed like a maniac.
Because OF COURSE. Yep, story of my life, which is pretty much written in four letter words. So what did I do? Whelp, what can you do? I broke out the junk food, poured a big glass of bourbon and called my bestie to tell her all about how I was an idiot. She laughed. I laughed, and guess what? The earth kept spinning… much like my chances with that agent as it circled the porcelain bowl.
Ugh. Whatever. You know what? It’s my own fault, and that is what it is. I’m a firm believer in what’s meant to be will be, and if nothing else feeds the content machine. The experience inspired my latest column for DIY MFA. This one’s all about cataloging several cautionary tales from my writing file of flubs and how to shake them off.
Granted, sometimes it’s just not that easy. Screwing up with that agent still gives me chest pains, but knowing I’m not the only one out there making the Ralphie face (Oooooooh…) from A Christmas Story definitely helps.