For those of you who are working on a goal you're afraid will never pan out, I hope this strikes home. Today I read a post from an author who just got signed with her literary agent. She spoke about months and months of putting her stuff out there and receiving either no or little feedback--most of it terribly demoralizing. Then, suddenly she got "the email." (Followed by a phone call.) An agent had her manuscript nine months before offering representation.
The author marveled at how close she'd been the entire time and pointed out that the line between endless (nightmarish) querying and success is so thin.
Now the hard part: waiting. I've sent out my manuscript, and while it's burning the inbox or "to read" folder of agents, I'll be penning out the draft of another book.
It only takes one "yes", one to light the world on fire. I'm encouraged by the reminder that the line is so thin. One brave step stands between me and the other side of the line.
What are you working on now? What are your goals and hopes? How are you holding up?
Congrats on making second place and receiving 7 different offers from literary agents!!! From the work you put into this project, you definitely deserve it. You are more than ever, close to the other side of the line. :D
ReplyDeleteCurrently, I am working on a memoir of my experiences in the South Bronx. My goal is to actually finish it and move on to other stories outlined in my head and paper. Not holding up very well. I had stopped writing for two years and just got back into the groove of things. The writer's community has been very supportive in my endeavor!
I truly enjoyed reading your post! Good luck!
Good luck to you Shaharizan! I think the hardest part of writing is completing your first novel. There are so many ups and downs after that, but that one pinnacle moment is the "aha! I can do this!"
DeleteCongratulations Crystal! I'm so happy for you. I hope those requests come back with offers to represent because I love your books.
ReplyDeleteRight back at you Rachel. =)
DeleteWow, congrats on your amazing pitch and getting so many requests for your manuscript. Shouldn't be long before you find the right home for your project!
ReplyDelete*fingers crossed* Here's hoping, and thanks.
DeleteCongrats on your awesome Pitch Wars run. That's so fantastic.
ReplyDeleteRight now I'm working on revising the MS that I sent to try to get into Pitchwars, and I'm biting my nails. Still. It's hard to be there, but waiting to hear back is so hard. I think I read the same success story, because I'm hoping so much that I'm in the same boat as that author (nine months is forever, but then again... not that long apparently). It's a thin line. I'm working on crossing it, but you know how these things go. It could be a big fat no.
Or it could be The One. ::My fingers are crossed for you::
Rena, here's hoping for you too. We'll get there one day soon, right? Then we'll look back and laugh (or wipe our brows) and rejoice that the single hardest step to take is behind us.
DeleteThat's absolutely amazing and proof that we never should stop trying. No. Matter. What. Congrats! I'm sure at least one of those agents will say yes.
ReplyDeleteThanks JL. If there's any proof we shouldn't stop trying, it's your story.
DeleteGinormous congrats to you! "It only takes one yes". That has to be one of my favorite quotes when it comes to writing. Good luck! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Madeline. It's a good mantra, right? =)
DeleteCONGRATS! That is awesome--#2 out of all those pitches!!! Best wishes as you wait, and you're being wise concentrating on another project. That works really well for a distraction, and it's productive besides! That's what I do. Which is what I'm doing NOW. :)
ReplyDeleteWay to distract yourself, Carol. Now I have to get over to your blog and figure out WHY you're in distraction mode. =)
DeleteSo excited for you!!! That is a dream come true and I hope that you don't have to wait a whole 9 months to see your book on its way to being published. Good luck and so excited for you, again!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Amy. You know how much I adore your enthusiasm, don't you?
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