I’m waiting…waiting…waiting… The manuscript is with another agent. This writing business isn’t all champagne launches, movie rights and dollars flooding into the bank account. (What bank account!?) For most of us, it’s not like the writers on T.V. I often find myself dreaming about being a female Rick Castle. I could even cope with being described as “ruggedly handsome”. sigh. The majority of writers have a day job, or, like me, have a very supportive, generous partner who thinks that one day I’m going to make it big so it’s worth the investment. (Stay deluded, darlin’.)
What drives us to keep setting ourselves up for failure? How many rejections do we take before we say, “I get the hint, I’ll stop now.”? I admit, every time I send the ms out into the cosmos I think: This is definitely the last time. When I get the “no, thanks” (and some don’t even say thanks!) I have a good cry, sulk for a day or two, and then – blow me down! – I send it out again. I’m either tough as old boots, or seriously neurotic with masochistic tendencies, or a bit of both. Come on universe, kick me one more time.
Of course I haven’t been sitting around waiting for the inevitable “yes”. I’ve been working: editing other people’s work; reading other people’s books; writing reviews while thinking: I’m not jealous, I’m not jealous…, and attempting to get articles and the occasional short story into a magazine. And, believe it or not, I’m working on another book. Yep, definitely masochistic. “You didn’t like that? Ok, here’s another one to throw back in my face…or, not.”
I’ve heard the story of how J.K.Rowling was rejected 7/9/14/23 times before the Potter books went global. Actually, I’ve heard it 7/9/23/ x-to-the-point-of-infinity times. I’ve read the Chicken Soup book, so I know how it goes. Those stories used to inspire me, several years and a couple of books ago, but now I think: yeah, well that was them and I’m me and never the twain shall meet. BUT, the thought that haunts me is: what if I stop one time short of success? Aargggggghhh! So, I re-read, re-write, search the internet for another possible taker, bundle it up in an enormous postal bag and send it out again. Hope springs eternal in a masochistic, neurotic, slightly delusional writer’s heart. Meanwhile, back to reading other people’s stuff. Some of it is brilliant. Some of it is pretty good. And some of it… well… sob…why? Why them and not me? It’s not fair! Dagnab it… I could just SCREAM…
Ok, everyone, let’s clear the room. Nothing to see here except a major tanty. Better leave now before she starts throwing things. Oh the humanity!
Oh Wendy – how I identify with your rantings. And I’m about to get on the same not-so-merry-go-round with you. There MUST be something psychologically wrong with… no I won’t go down that track. [Speaks sternly to self: pull yourself together!]
It has been a while I’ve actually sent a poem or story or book ms to a publisher (other than Tales) so I’ve cushioned and cosseted myself somewhat over the last 12 months. That’s what I love about the blogging stage I’m at – I know I have a growing number of readers – readers who care and comment (over 4000 comments now) and the steady income is growing to serious hobby income.
So keep the faith, keep praying, keep plodding on, keep writing – and confine those tanties to your padded cell… er… studio… er, office… or wherever you write.
There is no number which says stop.
My cure for rejection is to have many pots on the stove at the same time- one burns I still get to eat.
How far are you on book number 2 Wendy my pal?? Get to work. The more out there the more chances of success.
I’m about 2/3s of the way through, Lauri. I’ve hit a roadblock in the plot: do I kill off the best friend, or rescue him and if so, how? I’ve already killed one child, and I’m not sure how many is too many for readers age: 10+. (For those about to call the police, I’m talking about in my book!) So, while I’ve been ruminating on that, I’ve been busy reading 80 books as a judge for a competition, and editing someone else’s manuscript. I find it hard to engage the left and right sides of my brain at the same time. And, thanks for the encouragement, Trevor. Don’t worry; I’m still plodding on. I just need to let off steam every now and then.
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When I read a really good article I do some things:1.Show it to all the relevant contacts.2.save it in all of the common social bookmarking sites.3.Make sure to come back to the site where I first read the post.After reading this article I am seriously thinking of doing all three.
what a great post!
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