Thursday, December 20, 2007

Shiver Me Timbers

If for no other reason than to cover up the last post. I hated to discuss those people, but that book deal really bothered me.

On to better topics. At least better in my own humble opinion.

Tomorrow, December 21st, is a historic day of colossal proportions. Many a person born on that day has gone on to find glory.

Keifer Sutherland - 1966
Andy Dick - 1965
Florence Griffin Joyner (Flo-Jo)- 1959
Ray Romano - 1957
Samuel Jackson - 1948
Frank Zappa - 1940
Joe Paterno - 1926
Joseph Stalin - 1879

And Me! - 1972

Okay, so I've never been dictator of a large country, coached a bajillion football victories, cut a record, fought snakes on a plane, not everyone loves me, I can't run fast, I try not to be a dick, and I coudln't save the world in 24 years much less hours -- but someday I will be known far and wide as the man who wrote, Plundered Booty.

Speaking of which some of my friends already gave me a present. This t-shirt ...

And here was the note that came with it.

I am a t-shirt kind of guy so my wife bought this shirt for me as well.


You can't be a Texan and not like Willie. That is a deportable offense.


This being my 35th birthday I have a story to tell y'all. imagine that.

Anyway, back in the summer of 2002 I was at a writers conference listening to a New York agent give a workshop. Somebody in the class asked if being in their seventies would be a deterrnt in acquiring an agent. The agent said, "No, if the work was good enough she would take on a project from someone of any age. She then added, " Matter of fact I prefer my writers to have a few years behind them. Rarely should anyone under the age of 35 attempt fiction since they do not have enough life experience to draw from.

Think I'll send her an e-query tomorrow and tell her I've been waiting all this last five and a half years to turn of age, just so I could query her.

28 comments:

Marla said...

Happy Birthday! Hope it is a good one!

Danette Haworth said...

Oh! I wanted to be the first! Happy Birthday, Travis! May you exceed the fame and glory of your co-birthday boys!

Ello - Ellen Oh said...

Happy birthday! I love the t-shirt. I'm sure you will wear it with great pride. And then when you finally get it published, we can all wear the t-shirt as Travis fans!

Angie said...

Happy Birthday! [hugz]

Think I'll send her an e-query tomorrow and tell her I've been waiting all this last five and a half years to turn of age, just so I could query her.

LOL! That's great -- definitely let us know what she says. :D

Angie

Reid said...

Happy birthday, amigo. I always refer to the 21st as Zappa's birthday just to confuse the "War on Christmas" folks, but now I'll gladly add you to the list.

Next year, we both get agents and get published. I'm setting goals, how about you?

ORION said...

Happy Birthday!
I did enjoy the previous post tho...

Stephen Parrish said...

Rarely should anyone under the age of 35 attempt fiction since they do not have enough life experience to draw from.

That kills me. Let's not be prejudiced against the old, because prejudice is wrong; let's be prejudiced against the young instead.

Happy birthday, old man!

Monnik said...

Happy Birthday, Travis!!

We are of similar age. I turn the big 3-5 in two short months.

Love the t-shirts!!

Clare2e said...

Specializing in being days late and dollars short, I just posted an entry based on your fabulous Favorite Stuff at our blog today: www.womenofmystery.net

Just like a (cheap) T-shirt, I guarantee my birthday offering is misshapen and full of holes. Happy Birthday, whippersnapper!

Jess said...

Happy Birthday, Travis!

Josephine Damian said...

May you catch some big fish, as well as land a big agent!

Many happy returns, Travis!

Erica Orloff said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

And if I was that agent, I couldn't help but smile at that query. Bet you at least get a read!

E

Merry Monteleone said...

Happy Birthday!!! And I hope I didn't offend your Willie Nelson sensibilities on the last post... I was just kidding :-)

I'll be 35 in march... and that's my cut off age... the one I always said, "If I'm not published by 35..." Now that I'm almost there though... well, I've got the year, but who am I kidding, it's not like I could give up writing either way.

Have a fantastic birthday, Travis

Charles Gramlich said...

Happy Bday. Loved the comment about your letter to that agent. Do it.

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday to my almost famous, but favorite Cousin! Travie, I look forward to receiving a copy of your first book! I have thought and thought of the inscription, but haven't decided if it should include toothpicks or sliding down the hill in the mountains! Love you and wish you success!
Jenny

Chris Eldin said...

Mmmmm....I like 'em young. And compared to moi, you are a yungun.
heh heh heh!

Okay, enough of that.

Happy Holidays to you and your family!

And, may your year be blessed with cheeseburgers not tainted with mad-cow disease.
:-)

Sherry said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY YOU RENEGADE BOOTY MAN!!!

Now that you are "of age", definitely make that query!!!

Lexi said...

Happy birthday! I hope you had a good day. And as for the list of celeb birthdays, well, you're in good company!

alex keto said...

Happy Birthday. I notice you still count them. Well, in about five years, you'll stop doing that.

CamiKaos said...

Happy Birthday!

Ello - Ellen Oh said...

Just stopped by to wish you a very Merry Christmas Travis to you and your lovely family. Many blessings to you all.

E

Sam said...

Happy Birthday!
My brother too was born on Dec. 21st!

SmartlikeStreetcar said...

Belated Happy Birthday wishes! May this be

the...

best...

year...

ever!

Tena Russ said...

Hope you had a great birthday, old timer. Oh, to be 35 again.

Design Goddess said...

Happy Birthday, Travis!!!

Did you send your query yet?!?!

Hope you and your family have a wonderful and Merry Christmas! :)

debra said...

Hey, Travis, Friday was #2 daughter's birthday, too----16! Happy belated.

Terrie Farley Moran said...

Travis,

So sorry to be late! I hope you had a marvelous birthday!

Terrie

Bubblewench said...

Happy Belated birthday! Give me advance notice next time and I'll send you some rum!

Hope it was just wonderful!