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Wednesday, August 1, 2012

State Of The Chatter Address


Today is the one year anniversary of Chubby Chatterbox. Our son CJ came up with the idea of starting a blog because I was depressed over numerous rejections from literary agents, one of whom told me I didn’t have a flair for writing and should try something else. CJ, who at the time had more confidence in my writing ability than I did, suggested I circumvent the publishing world by creating an audience of my own.


As children often do, he threw my own words back at me: sometimes it’s necessary to think outside the box. I patiently listened as he convinced me that traditional publishing was, for me, a dead end. But something was holding me back—fear. What if people didn’t like my stories? What if I ran out of ideas? What if a blog was too complicated for a computer-illiterate like me to manage? I dragged my heels and delayed posting because I knew that once I started I’d feel committed to doing whatever it took to make my blog successful.


CJ and I had been playing with a free template and I’d been running him ragged with difficult requests over what my site should look like. I think I was trying to wear him out, convince him to give up because I was too unreasonable to work with, but he hung in there and accommodated my excessive requests.


On August 1st of last year I finally took a deep breath, and with my heart pounding in my chest I entered my first post. I started with a childhood incident involving my eighty-six year old mother: Terms and Limits. I received no comments, and only one visit that first day—from Romania. It took weeks before anyone pressed the button to follow my blog, but with CJ and Mrs. Chatterbox’s encouragement I stuck with it.


Chubby Chatterbox has come a long way since then. I’ve written two hundred posts and I’m closing in on two hundred and fifty members, and I haven’t come close to running out of stories. I wish I could express how deeply I appreciate the e-mails and comments I receive—Manna from heaven for a writer. I love meeting my fellow bloggers, even if it’s only online, and learning how you think. I sincerely believe I’m becoming a better writer by reading so many fine posts; the talent on the blogosphere is astonishing.


I’m asked often if my stories are true, and I guess that depends on your definition of the word “true.” They’re certainly my truth, although some claim I’ve always had an overactive imagination. Occasionally I post pure fiction, but when I do I identify it as such. Otherwise, I relate events as I remember them, although I do change names and add a bit of spice to the stew. Otherwise, these stories are an accurate portrait of my life up until now.


From time to time I mention that Mrs. Chatterbox and our son CJ both work for the local police department. I understand that more of our City’s finest are enjoying Chubby Chatterbox. In an effort to avoid what could be an unpleasant situation for me, I’m now addressing only those with the power to arrest me: before slapping me in handcuffs, please note that any stories with references to my drug experimentation, lack of respect for current laws, erratic driving habits or wild nights drinking on the town are pure fiction. I repeat: total fabrications. No need to throw me in a cell with Chester the Molester.

56 comments:

  1. Poetic licence is a must. I don't lie in my stories I embellish. I mean, if our dear leaders and politicians can do it, it would be remiss of me not to follow their example :)

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  2. And isn't it fun?!

    Do what you love, they say, and you'll never work a day in your life. I think you've found what you love: writing.

    Congratulations, my friend. You DO have a flair for writing. :-)

    Pearl

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  3. Happy Blogiversary!! See? Another great thing about blogging--we can make up ridiculous words. :) I'm so glad that you took the plunge and shared your amazing talent with all of us. I very much enjoy your writing and your friendship!

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  4. We owe a debt of gratitude to your son and Mrs. C. for encouraging you in this. Happy blogiversary and we so appreciate this oasis of great writing!

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  5. Congratulations on reaching the year mark! I very much enjoy your stories and your flair for writing.

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  6. I've only come to your party as of late, but I love your writings. Congrats on a year and cheers to years to come. Oma Linda

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  7. Everyone should have a CJ and a Mrs. Chatterbox in their lives! I'm so glad you listened to him. I only just started reading your blog, but already appreciate your gift with words. Thanks! As for your murky past, you're so right, it's probably a good idea to keep secret those 7 arrests (without convictions) and the six months we spent together in that Mexican prison... not to mention the Turkish one... and that time in Reno. My lips are sealed.

    Happy anniversary.

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  8. Happy first anniversary.
    You earned you followers by following ...and commenting... good job.

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  9. hee hee.....bless your family......and I love that bull...sort of reminds me of my husband...
    You know, your bull leaning over that podium sort of looks like a few cops I've known
    creative non fiction.....just remember to tell them that

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  10. Keep going! I know I'm only an irregular visitor (generally in the school holidays!) but your posts are always good to read.

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  11. Love it! Chester the molester - funny stuff. Keep writing. Mindy

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  12. Congratulations and Happy Blogoversary!

    Thank you for not giving up, i very much enjoy your stories.

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  13. Haha! Love the disclaimer to local law enforcement, priceless.

    Happiest of Blogoversaries to you, here's to another year!

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  14. What dim bulb agnet would think you didn't have any literary ability? His loss, our gain. Pleae keep it up. The highlight of my day is reading your latest post. :)

    S

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  15. Congrats on the 1st year of your blog. It is at the top of my list of favorites. For that reason, it pisses me off that someone said you don't have a flair for writing.

    It did make me think of the story of how Johm Grisham got his start. He was already a small town lawyer when he decided to write a Time to Kill. He made up 2 lists of 30 publishers and 30 agents. He made 10 copies of a query letter, a synopsis, and the first 3 chapters and send 5 out to agents and 5 out to publishers. When he got the rejections back he put a new query letter in and sent it back out to the next on the list. After 16 agents rejected him he got 3 calls the same week with offers.

    Back in the days my son was in Ole Miss, John would sit around with the pre-law students at the coffee shop. He said once that he had nothing to lose and probably would of sent hundreds of query letters out before giving up.

    Somewhere out there, there is an agent that is smart enough to recognize talent.

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  16. I think you're underestimating just how good Chester the Molester is at his craft. You're missing out, my friend.

    Congratulations on reaching the 1 year mark. I am a new follower here but you've already impressed me, and I hope to see more. You do have a flair for writing, regardless of what publishers told you. Chin up fella!

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  17. When a writer wants to write...there is no stopping them. Even criticism should not bring them down. I do not have a lot of followers, but then I am not as good a writer as you. I am sloppy and fast. Maybe some day I will make a better effort. In the mean time, I take note of other good writers, like you.

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  18. I think you write very well. I enjoy your posts very much and especially about your mother. She cracks me up.

    ♪♪Happy Blogoversary to you,♪♪
    ♪♪Happy Blogoversary to you,♪♪
    ♪♪Happy Blogoversary Dear Chubby Chatterbox,♪♪
    ♪♪Happy Blogoversary to you.♪♪

    Have a terrific day. :)

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  19. Happy anniversary for your blog. I'm glad that you decided to take the plunge. Otherwise I would never have heard of you.

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  20. Happy Blogoversary!

    I love the mustache on a stick. heh heh

    And here's to at least 200 more posts!

    *burp*

    Excuse me! *smile*

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  21. One year of writing great posts, and lots more ideas stored in the chubby head, hooray.

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  22. Happy anniversary! Can't believe you've only been at this blogging thing a year...you're so brilliant at it!!! Who on earth was the drip who told you you couldn't write and which Mickey D's is he now working at?
    Your genesis reminds me of the writer who took the screenplay of Casablanca, wrote it up as a manuscript, titled it 'Rick's Place' and sent it off to publishers and agents. It was rejected out of hand by all except one who actually wrote and asked if the author was pulling his leg since the agent's favorite movie was Casablanca. Moral of the story? Publishers and agents know diddly...keep at it until you hit one who got out of bed on the right side one morning :)

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  23. Happy blogaversary!! I can't remember how we stumbled over each other in cyberspace, but I am glad we did. Keep writing!! :):)

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  24. Please thank CJ for me. There are many blogs I visit regularly, and all of them have merit (otherwise, why would I visit them?), but there are only a relative handful I visit knowing full well that I will always find something well-written and delightfully entertaining.

    Yes, yours is one of those. Always something good here. Happy Blogiversary (however it's spelled.)

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  25. Happy Blogerversary! I'm glad CJ pushed you into starting this blog. That literary agent obviously didn't know her head from you know what. Maybe if you changed your stories to erotic Twilight fan fiction they'd be accepted.

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  26. Total fabrications?! CJ is a man of vision. Happy Blogaversary.

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  27. Congrats on your anniversary! I have to say, you put me to shame. I'm going on two years, yet you've filed more posts than I have and boast more followers. Say . . . what kind of drugs are you taking?

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  28. Congratulations on your first year. I confess, I am sort of patting myself on the back for spotting you as a natural writer, and I wasn't even that woman from Romania who was your original readership. But really the person to congratulate is YOU, because your blog is so very readable and always interesting and entertaining.

    My last agent told me that the publishing situation was just about to become "a bloodbath", and I think he might be right. Publishers don't know what they are doing at present and it's not enough for a new writer just to be good, interesting, funny and readable. I don't know what it is enough for them, mind you, and nor, I suspect, do they. Building up an online presence has to be good, though.

    The advantage of having family in the police is surely that you can get them to arrest people who don't read the blog - just a simple question to everyone who passes is all that's necessary :)

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  29. I'd assumed you had been blogging a lot longer than one year given the ize of your following and the quality of your posts.

    Congratulations, and I look forward to many more years.

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  30. Congratulations. You are an inspiration to a slothful, intermittant blogger like me. I must try harder to be like you. I have already achieved the chubbiness - surely the rest can't be too hard??

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  31. Well, in my opinion, this is scathingly brilliant writing for a 1-year-old! Congrats on your blogaversary. Here's a virtual toast to many more. Maybe you could rework your hook, and send out scads more queries.

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  32. You can always self publish that novel on Amazon.

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  33. Happy anniversary! So glad you didn't give up!

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  34. Congratulations on your blog anniversary!

    With a wife like Mrs. Chatterbox, a son like CJ, and almost 250 fans, who needs a dimwit literary agent! I always enjoy your posts, your writing style, and your sense of humor. Some day, your books will be sold all over - and I'll be holding up my copy and saying, "I knew him way back when before he was famous." :-)

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  35. I for one am very happy that you started blogging. What I really like is the feed back and support you get from the readers. So Happy first anniversary!

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  36. congrats on a year of blogging!!! I agree with you ..I have learned so much from bloggers...and love love learning different views, even when they are opposite mine. keep posting!!

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  37. happy anniversary. i'm glad you listened to your son and created this blog. i always enjoy your posts.

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  38. I promise: You have a flair for writing.

    Love,
    Janie

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    1. I totally agree with Janieola...and she should know, she has the same flair for writing! Congrats on your first year completion. I'm so glad you reached out to me on my blog because I've enjoyed your comments and reading what you have to say in your blog.
      CJ and Mrs. Chatterbox sound very cool!

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  39. Happy Anniversary!! I am glad that you took your son's suggestion and started the Blog and that I happened upon it. I enjoy your stories very much and most definitely think that you have a talent for spinning a tale, rather it be pure fiction or a recollection of events from your life, your posts are always great. I look forward to many more in the days to come!

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  40. Happy Blogaversary! I began in 2005 when there were sites attracting triple digit visits and comments. This began tapering off with My Space. Then Facebook took a large piece of the proverbial pie. Today, double-digit comments are a sign of success and yours are consistently high wth such great stories! Glad you took the plunge! :)

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  41. Happy Blogoversary!
    I love your blog. Love your stories.
    They always make me smile.

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  42. Funny, I went the other way around. I started blogging to create a stage for my writing to see how people would respond hoping it will give me enough nerve to send my manuscript to literary agents willing to look at it. Still, you inspire me. Love your stories! Happy One-Year old!

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  43. Happy Blogerversary! Keep on telling stories!!

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  44. I think this is one of your most wonderful stories b/c I think it's great to celebrate the awesome blog you have created! Thanks for sharing it with all of us. I know you already have received it before, but I nominated you for the Sunshine Award--http://www.themomoftheyear.net/2012/08/the-sunshine-award.html. Check it out and congrats on one year! :)

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  45. congrats on your blogversary ... keep 'em comin'

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  46. happy blogiversary! i've been blogging for well over 6 years and it's been such an enriching thing. i've met wonderful people and learned from them,laughed with them, cried with them, and entered into painful places with them. i've received unexpected and awe-inspiring encouragement in my own darkest days as well. here's to many more great blog years for you.

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  47. Thank you, CJ! And congrats to you for building such a fine blog. It's one of the best ones out there. You do indeed have a great flair for writing.

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  48. I kinda started the same way, but without the process of going to publishers (I avoided that step all together and just went straight here). I've been 2 years or so in this, but it's definitely a slow process. However, it is enjoyable.

    And you're not the only one adding some fiction to some stories. However, I have yet to add any fictional tales about me or any of my friends yet. But sometimes I do switch it up a bit, but it's also mostly true. Some people find it a bit hard to believe that those things actually happened to me. And every time, I have the evidence.

    I have some crazy friends who drag me into some crazy stuff, and that's how the stories from the blog came into fruition.

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  49. Congratulations on your blogosphere anniversary. As usual, I finished reading your post laughing. I don't know how you and so many others write so much during the summer. I'm so busy. I will go back and read your posts that I have missed. Thanks for your hard work.

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  50. Love your blog header. Very unique.
    Congrats on your blogiversary, and welcome to the group. :)

    IWSG #178 (At least until Alex culls the list again. :P)

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  51. Congratulations on your one year anniversary! Mine comes up on December 6th and I hope to have posted my 365th blog post by them. I am so glad your son encouraged you to start this blog and I'm so thrilled that you have chosen to continue...

    Donna L Martin
    www.donasdays.blogspot.com
    www.donnalmartin.com

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  52. I'm popping in from IWSG. Happy Blogoversary!
    Nice to meet you and keep the writing flowing!! You have a great writing voice!

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  53. Congratulations on your anniversary! Don't give up on publishing or be too discouraged by the comment you received, if book or magazine publication remains your dream. I remember when an editor once scrawled, "What IS this?" on a manuscript before sending it back to me. I went on to have five books published, four of them here in the U.S. and four in Germany. Three of them were published in both countries. Now, however, when I'm trying to return to publishing, the industry has changed so much that I'm having difficulty finding an agent or editor and am exploring all kinds of alternatives. I urge you to do so, too. You obviously engage readers who want to hear more from you.

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