Brief addendum

Something else to tack onto last night's post about American Idol and writers.

After watching the auditions, I now want to smack every writer who's ever argued with a rejection letter from an agent or editor. Seeing people argue with the judges was as bad for me as the horrible singing. Possibly worse.

Disappointment sucks, but you know what? So far, I've never heard of anyone getting to the next round or getting an agent deal by arguing with a rejection. So seriously, my fellow writers, take your polite "sorry, no, not for us" and move on. Because you are why we can't have nice things.

Oh, and if you're lucky enough to get some personal feedback? For the love of cheese and crackers, do not argue or make the agent regret ever having reached out to you, because then you've just messed it up for everyone who comes in behind you!

Okay, now I've gotta go do that writing and looking for a job thing that I do.

Relief for Haiti

I've been watching the news about the devastating earthquake in Haiti and I've been collecting links for aid and relief efforts through the morning.

Doctors Without Borders/Medicins Sans Frontieres, which is an international organization that gives medical care internationally, regardless of religion, race, or politics. They're a good organization, and they're secular. So those of you who have philosophical or ethical difficulties giving to religious or religiously founded organizations can know that.

Author kateelliot has suggested giving donations to Partners In Health which, as she says, "has been doing excellent work in Haiti for years now".

The International Red Cross is calling for donations to help their efforts in Haiti. You can give a $10 donation to the Red Cross by texting "HAITI" to "90999".

Wyclef Jean - a Haitian himself - has an organization, Yele Haiti which is gathering donations and has done a lot of reputable work there. You can also text and give $5 (which, if I understand correctly, is tacked onto your cellphone bill so no need to give out credit card numbers or write checks if you don't want to!). Just text "Yele" to "501501".

Actress Olivia Wilde (Thirteen from House as you may know her), has pledged to give personalized videos to anyone who gives over $200 dollars. The details are on her Twitter page: @oliviawilde.

I know that it's after the holidays, a lot of us are struggling financially and have bills to pay, but if you can just spare a couple of a bucks, please do. If you can't (I know some people are struggling just for grocery money or funds for medicine), try to pass on the word to those who can. If you've got a blog, twitter feed, livejournal, website - a link to the Redcross or the text message donation numbers could really help.

Every little bit really does count. You may not feel like your little five or ten dollar donation is worth much, but trust me, a bottle of clean water or clean clothes or a dose of medicine or a meal or a blanket really does count, especially to the person who receives them.