The Scent of a Rhododendron

SriLankanWriter · Jul 24, 2008

Greetings!
I just joined, and I'm very excited! Let me introduce myself first! My name is Lasantha, and I'm a writer originally from Sri Lanka. I studied in the U.S. and will start my MA/PhD at the University of Rochester this fall. In 2001 I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. It was a trying period of my life, and I started writing a memoir (The Scent of a Rhododendron). It's complete now, and I have edited it a few times; it deals with issues of sexuality, disability, God, beauty, etc. I'm a novice and have no idea where to go now. Any advice/suggestions would be most appreciated.

))

regdog · Jul 24, 2008

Greetings and welcome aboard :welcome:

Hope your MS remains at bay and you keep writing. If you are interested in aquiring an agent you can start here at AW with Bewares and Backgrounds. That can help you avoid bad agents. There is also Agent Query and AAR which will list agents by the genre they represent and then you can cross reference with AW's Bewares and also Preditors and Editors. Good luck stay well

CACTUSWENDY · Jul 24, 2008

Welcome to AW. Hope you enjoy your stay with us.

How do you like your popcorn?

DeleyanLee · Jul 24, 2008

Welcome!

Regarding your poll--there's no "other" option. "The Scent of a Rhododendron" means nothing to me since I've never knowingly experienced a rhododendron (I barely know it's a flowering plant), so the choices you listed don't cover the "pretty title" reaction.

i spy · Jul 24, 2008

hello.

Chrisla · Jul 24, 2008

Welcome to AW, and congratulations on the work you've done. MS is difficult to live with, so that adds to your accomplishment. As for your poll, I needed an "other" category, too. I tend toward mysteries, so I would probably be wondering why the rhododendron has no scent. Does it usually have a scent? If not, what happened to it?

Pagey's_Girl · Jul 24, 2008

Welcome to AW!

I'm not really sure about the title - as far as I know, rhododendrons don't have a scent - at least, the one in my mom's front yard doesn't. (It does, however, quite literally stop traffic when it's in bloom; the bush is over forty years old and almost as tall as the house.) Maybe looking for something that isn't there?

melaniehoo · Jul 24, 2008

Welcome to AW & good luck with your search for an agent, etc. I agree with DeleyanLee. I know little about that plant and it doesn't make me think of anything beyond a garden.

willfulone · Jul 24, 2008

Matera the Mad · Jul 24, 2008

Although I picked the first answer, I think one might say that the scent of a rhododendron is the sum of the fragrance of its surroundings, colored by the degree of sensory awareness plus memories and associations of the person sniffing it

Debs · Jul 24, 2008

Hi, welcome.

donroc · Jul 25, 2008

Welcome and enjoy.

Frodo · Jul 25, 2008

Welcome! I'm new too.

What I want to know is if you found God or not? I am curious since one of your options in the poll is: "Looking for something that's absent."

Sounds like a good book. Are you planning on publishing it?

SriLankanWriter · Jul 25, 2008

This is a lovely group, for sure! Thanks for all the encouraging words, Yes, the poll was a little vague, I admit! And yes, I've found God. Rhododendrons do not have a scent, but we might be able to find the fragrance if we surrender?? There's a little bit of mysticism there! Ha ha! I'm doing OK and enjoy life despite my limitations. I was recently invited to be a clolumnist for a local newspaper! It's very exciting. My column is going to be called "The Soul Collector's Tale." I'm following Chaucer, but my stories would be about common people who are able to retain their humanity despite trying challenges.

SriLankanWriter · Jul 25, 2008

I love you interpretation. It really drew a WOW reaction from me!

You must have a beautiful spirit.

SriLankanWriter · Jul 25, 2008

Ops! I was talking about Matera the Mad's comment! I'm so new! Grrrrr Can you tell?? Ha ha!

DL Hegel · Jul 25, 2008

life is transition--and temporary. do what you want.

Deccydiva · Jul 25, 2008

Hi, I'm new too! :welcome:

Susie · Jul 25, 2008

Hi, SriLankan, :welcome:

to the cooler. It's a great place with great people and super information. Much good luck with your novel. Luv the title.

Ol' Fashioned Girl · Jul 27, 2008

Welcome!

Danger Jane · Jul 27, 2008

Hey! Welcome to the Cooler.

I said looking for something that's absent, because rhododendrons don't have a scent. We had one out front for a long time.

And it is a pretty title.

kct webber · Jul 28, 2008

Welcome.

Mandy-Jane · Jul 28, 2008

The Scent of a Rhododendron

What does the title mean to you?

Looking for something that's absent

You are the author of your destiny

Life is short; look at the beauty

Where's God?

The Scavengers

An old, sappy, and happy one.

Writing Anarchist

integrating

practical experience, FTW

Still plays with dolls

And thus we begin the edits

I am a zebra...

Bartender, gimme a Linux Mint

Historicals and Horror rule

Tigress Tyrant

Back from the dead

Thanks, special friend for my avi!

Hand? What hand?

Squirrel, Sekrit type, 1 ea.

venturing ever further into the unknown