I started sending out query letters for my YA novel. I've sent two versions to 20 agents total. It's only been one week. I've received my first three rejections. Which is okay (I'm just happy they at least emailed me back to say no. Most agents never write back.)
Still. I see why people self publish. The rejection combined with the unknown no call back thing is driving me crazy already and I just started!
As for the neighbors. We have this one pair of neighbors. About 64, no kids. every time we've tried to be friendly, they look at us like they're scared of us or with thinly-veiled contempt and run inside. I don't get it. We're generally very open and friendly. it's like they decided they didn't like us before they even met us.
Anyway, last year, the man neighbor told us we "needed" to cut down our 60 foot honey locust tree because it was "dropping leaves in his pool."
Hah. We're not the kind of people to cut down a beautiful, healthy tree because it's dropping leaves in someone's pool. That's ridiculous.
Apparently, he didn't like our no. So, we got a certified letter from the city on friday. He filed a property maintenance complaint about the tree, saying it was a hazard that would fall on his house. We have 30 days to remove the tree. (according to the letter).
I was so angry. First, it'd cost $5000 to remove this tree. At my expense. And, it's healthy.
So, I called the city, and the arborist said if we trim out any dead branches and our arborist says it's healthy, we don't have to cut it down. Apparently, there are some laws to protect me from unreasonable complaints from neighbors.
That made me feel a little better. Still, I'm pretty upset knowing I live next door to people who are passive aggressive enough to file complaints with the city instead of having a real conversation with their neighbor.
We aren't going anywhere anytime soon, so how do I keep this civil?
Rejection and unreasonable neighbors advice
August 2nd, 2016 at 03:29 pm
August 2nd, 2016 at 04:19 pm 1470151180
August 2nd, 2016 at 05:02 pm 1470153736
Expression of regret
Explanation of what went wrong
Acknowledgement of responsibility
Declaration of repentance
Offer of repair
Request for forgiveness
This might seem like overkill for this situation, so you could tone it down accordingly. But the two most important steps are the acknowledgement of responsibility and an offer to repair. I suggest doing it in person, with the four of you present. And maybe take a batch of fudge!
August 2nd, 2016 at 05:16 pm 1470154567
Ugh. Good luck!
August 2nd, 2016 at 05:21 pm 1470154869
I don't think I owe them an apology for not honoring an unreasonable demand. When the tree trimmer comes, I will give them advance notice and I will go over there while the arborist is working and tell them that hey, if there is something that needs trimmed, we can't always see it from our side of the fence and you can always come talk to us. I have debated also saying, look, we're going to live next door to you for at least another 15 years. We don't know why you don't like us. It doesn't matter, but can we agree to be civil and have an open line of communication??
August 2nd, 2016 at 05:55 pm 1470156919
BTW, the "terrified" description of their response to your overtures is puzzling. Sounds like something else may be up with them?
August 2nd, 2016 at 06:08 pm 1470157731
August 2nd, 2016 at 07:19 pm 1470161991
As for the neighbors, you may just need to accept that the relationship is not going to be a cordial one - and that's THEIR loss!
August 2nd, 2016 at 09:35 pm 1470170159
If more issues come up of course you may have to try and reason with them, but it might just be that they're shy/unfriendly people that you don't have to have anything to do with. They don't really sound like people I'd want to try and be neighborly with anyway!
August 2nd, 2016 at 09:46 pm 1470170762
August 2nd, 2016 at 09:47 pm 1470170847
August 2nd, 2016 at 10:17 pm 1470172621
Some pool owners build a large screen structure to keep leaves out - they certainly have that option. Also, when you have your tree trimmed, I would only trim branches that are dead or are over your property line. Document, communicate cooperatively with the city, and let the city communicate with the neighbors.
August 3rd, 2016 at 02:24 am 1470187451
August 6th, 2016 at 04:10 pm 1470496240