Wednesday, July 6, 2016

IWSG July: A Compliment Goes A Long Way

Hey everyone, it's that time again! It's time for another group posting of the IWSG. A huge thanks to Alex Cavanaugh for creating this group, and to all the co-hosts for this month ( Yolanda Renee, Tyrean Martinson, Madeline Mora-Summonte , LK Hill, Rachna Chhabria, and JA Scott! ) If you'd like to join our little group, it's never too late, and you can find all the information about it here.


The IWSG recently decided to include themes for the monthly blog hop (a concept I LOVE, by the way). No more wondering what I should post about the night before, because NOW, I have a question that I'll answer which will make this so much easier! :)

The question for July is: "What is the best thing someone has said about your writing?"

Writing can be a grueling process. You spend months crafting the perfect story, falling in love with the characters, and enduring sleepless nights. In the end, you want to love your story, but more so, you want someone else to love your story too. And when they do, it makes it all worthwhile and gives you that momentum to keep doing what you're doing.

I know I"m probably only supposed to pick one, but there are actually two things I'd like to share with you. The first was an email I received from an agent, right when I was at a low point with my writing. This agent is one I went on to do an R&R for. She said this concerning Middle of Knowhere, the YA contemporary manuscript I'd sent her:

"There is a lot to love here—you are a GREAT writer and I loved Ryker and Hailey's relationship."

Okay, so yes, I did love the fact that "great" was in all caps. Lol. And even though she ultimately decided to pass after the R&R, her words still gave me a boost.

The second was from my editor as she was editing Catalyst. Now let me preface this by saying that my editor doesn't just throw compliments around. She digs in, makes changes and suggestions, highlights parts that need to be revised, and leaves me comments and questions. When I got the manuscript back after first edits, I scrolled through the entire thing. It wasn't until the very end of the story that I saw what she thought of it. I'll paraphrase, but she basically said that she loved the story and loved the ending. Then she said this:

"One of my absolute favorites of CTP, ever. Can’t wait for the next!"

Wow. Just wow. CTP is my publisher, and I know she's edited probably hundreds of books. I think I was floating the rest of the day.

I think we all tend to doubt our writing from time to time, but it's little nuggets like these that help us continue on, plowing forward to that next deadline. I'm thankful for anyone who has ever said anything nice about my writing, for all those who've encouraged me through the years, and for wonderful critique partners and beta readers who are always there to help make my writing better.

Happy Wednesday!

22 comments:

  1. Excellent compliments! And it's even better when they arrive when we're at a low point - they become the pick-up we need, the oomph to keep us going.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Her favorite book by your publisher - that is a huge compliment!

    ReplyDelete
  3. That is awesome!! It's great to hear praise from someone who deals with a lot of works at a publisher! Woot!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I agree, that's the best compliment ever! Always want them to want to read more:) I've certainly enjoyed reading your work!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I love those compliments! Can't wait to read it :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. What great compliments. I agree the new question idea is a brilliant one!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Yay! I think a book gets better attention and help when the editor feels that way about it. I'm so excited about your debut. It sounds like we're going to be release twins this season! *gasp*

    ReplyDelete
  8. Your editor and mine are alike in what they do, and my praise came from mine as well because it's so rare. But what your editor said is above-and-beyond what mine said. That is awesome!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Those are some pretty glowing compliments, congratulations! I don't have anything so glowing to share. I'm tickled when someone does a double-take and says "Hey, this doesn't suck!"

    www.cdgallantking.ca

    ReplyDelete
  10. Great compliments. Those are always nice to hear.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Great compliments. I do treasure some of the nice things agents said, even though it ended up being a no. And getting a compliment from someone who doesn't give many always feels good.
    Congrats on all you've accomplished!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Those are some awesome nuggets! It's always good to keep those encouragements close at hand.
    Happy writing!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Those are wonderful compliments! I like to print ones like those out and tape them around my desk for an everyday lift.

    ReplyDelete
  14. What great compliments. Definitely inspiring.
    Happy IWSG
    Juneta @ Writer's Gambit

    ReplyDelete
  15. When your editor loves it the most, you know it's good. What a wonderful compliment.

    ReplyDelete
  16. I didn't know there were themes. Where do we find them? That will help SO much!

    ReplyDelete
  17. I'm a little late to the party here. But WOW!!! What fabulous compliments!!!! I can't wait to read Catalyst!!!

    ReplyDelete
  18. I love reading all these positive things! We should swap these more as writers.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Wow, those are such amazing compliments, for sure. Congrats!

    ReplyDelete
  20. It's awesome that your writing went over so well! These people see hundreds of stories, so it's awesome that they felt like your work should be praised! :)

    ReplyDelete

I LOVE reading your comments!! Thanks for taking the time to leave one!

BLOGSPOT TEMPLATE BY DESIGNER BLOGS