I realized something recently (and for most of you, this will come as no shock, you've probably known it all along). I realized how subjective this whole publishing process truly is. A novel one person might not care for, another person might love.
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I recently entered my shiny new YA novel into a contest held by other writers. The goal was to be chosen from the slush pile and go on to be presented on the blogs of said writers so that agents could read and request material. I didn't make it out of the slush pile. Sure, it was a bummer at first, but then I decided to query the very first agent on my list. And guess what? He requested the full that same day. In a matter of minutes I went from complete and total letdown to doing the happy dance. Go figure.
I know nothing could come of this request. Like so many writers who have gone before me, the query trail is paved with rejection. And of course, AFTER I sent my completed manuscript to said agent, I noticed the mistakes. Commas flying here, there, and everywhere. An added "the" where there should be none. Of course.
And while I haven't received my first rejection for my YA novel YET (it's a little too early in the game), I am steeling myself. They will come. I know it as sure as I know the names of my children (which I have to admit I DO forget every now and then, well, not so much as forget as I sometimes get flustered when they are misbehaving, and I call them the wrong name until I get to the right one. Anyhoo...)
Those rejections will pour in like floodwaters. But you know what? That's okay. All it takes is one. One yes. One person who is willing to take a chance on me. So, if I'm insecure about anything this month, it's that. Am I good enough? And will someone recognize my potential.
What about you? What are your insecurities for this month?
I have mixed up my kids names too, during times of stress. It doesn't help that their names start with the same letter.
ReplyDeleteI once read an interesting quote about editing and revision - but I can't remember from who, and I can't find it online. It went something like this: "Every time I pick up my novel, I find something to improve upon." It was a master too, like Stephen King or Dan Brown. I wish I kept the quote reference. GRRR.
Yeah, I think we'll always find something to tweak or correct. Eventually, we just have to "let it go." *Cue the song* :)
DeleteIt seems to be a tough road when one is an author or in anything that is creative. Rejection is a word that is tough to feel but that one , somehow, is supposed to get used to....not sure how I could do that but one thing I can say is that You ARE good enough!!! There are some big names out there now who have been, before, repeatedly rejected. There are also millions who think about a dream they would like to do but never act on it and you do! You are a writer and it brings you joy, ultimately. Regardless of the frustrations that come with writing, you are doing something that you, and others who are on the IWSG actually do. I think that is something to be proud of. My insecurity is that when I write on my little blog, that people will find it boring
ReplyDeleteAw, thank you, Birgit, for your kind words! You are the best! And no, no one could ever find your blog boring—just the opposite in fact. You always have me cracking up when I visit!
DeleteKristin, you're right on the money. Just one! It's a fickle world out there and rejection often times has nothing to do with quality of writing or talent - it's fit, just like that favorite pair of shoes. Better to wait until you find a comfortable pair then to stuff your feet into something that's pure torture with every step.
ReplyDeleteLove that analogy, Nancy! :)
DeleteYou are so smart to have emailed on your own, and brave to have taken the chance. Also, brave to have entered in the first place. You are right. Writing is an art and just as with painting or any other art, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. That said, there are some avenues where the "art" sells better and we're all trying to reach that goal. Good work and keep it up! I agree with you, Birgit's blog is NOT boring! Have you read her post today?
ReplyDeleteYes! Hahaha! I'm still laughing about Birgit's post. :)
DeleteGood for you, Kristen! Way to skip the middle man. And I wouldn't worry about those commas, that's what an editor's for! Best of luck!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jonathan! :)
DeleteYou have such a good attitude - keep it up! Fingers crossed for you on the full ms request.... :)
ReplyDeleteMadeline @ The Shellshank Redemption
Yes, fingers crossed! Thank you! :)
DeleteI love your outlook - and that you got a request for the full right away, with one foot in the slush pile! Way to go! I think I'll take a page out of your book and stop looking at the insecure-making things out of the corner of my eye.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Diana!
DeleteCongratulations on thinking outside the box in the face of rejection. WTG. You took a growing leap with that one.
ReplyDeleteRock on.
Juneta at Writer's Gambit
Thanks, Juneta!
DeleteHey, that's awesome! From low to uber-high.
ReplyDeleteAll it takes is one yes...
That's right! That's what I keep telling myself. :)
DeleteAwesome. You know, agents will totally look past minor errors. They see them all the time. What they won't look past is a weak storyline or poor characters. If you've got both of those down, no worries. You'll totally get there. Although rejection has to be expected, I'm hoping for you.
ReplyDeleteUnleashing the Dreamworld
That's a great point, Crystal. Thanks! :)
DeleteCongratulations. You're making your way to publication one step at a time. If this one doesn't do it, one of them will. Just keep writing.
ReplyDeleteThat's what I'm hoping. Thanks, Ken! :)
DeleteCongratulations on the full request! And best of luck too, it's just a great pick-me-up after that contest. And hey, no worries about the mistakes, luckily they know this is pre-editor ;)
ReplyDeleteS.K. Anthony: My Writing Quirks—IWSG (16)
Haha! Thank goodness for that! :)
DeleteThat's awesome that you got a request for a full from your first agent. GO YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Chrys!! :)
DeleteCongrats on the request for a full. Bask in the approval and keep querying!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! That's awesome. Yes, rejections will eventually come, but hold onto these good things and go back to them whenever you feel discouraged by rejection. We should all keep a folder full of positive comments about our writing to look through every time we have even a second's doubt that this is what we were born to do!
ReplyDeleteToo many insecurities to list, really. Good luck with your novel.
ReplyDeleteHow's that for going from low to high? It doesn't matter what the end result is, a full request is huge. You should happy dance!!!
ReplyDeleteSound like you already know how to take charge of this! And to not let this totally eat you up! Shine on, woman!
ReplyDeleteMy little mantra is; a successful writer needs two things, belief and hope. Belief in themselves and their writing and the hope that someone else will too. Good luck and keep on dancing!
ReplyDeleteBest of luck with the querying! And I'm glad the agent requested a full. That's great!
ReplyDelete