Friday 15 July 2011

Where did the week go?

Honestly, I can't believe that it's Friday already. It's been one of those strange weeks where time seems to have sped up, while my to do list has remained frustratingly high.

I have discovered that drinking beer while writing about it is not the best idea. When I started off it seemed like a good idea, particularly since I was drinking one of the brands I was writing. I started to get tipsy, and realised that my sentence syntax was starting to get muddled up. Fibromyalgia decreases your alcohol tolerance, so I had to stop after one bottle. I am a one drink woman or, in other words, a cheap date. I'm never going to make it as a stereotypical Irish writer who writes Jameson-fuelled prose.

I was feeling a little down about my writing, though my rejections haven't upset me it's hard to get emails and letters that are passing on your work without thinking that maybe this isn't meant to be. However, I got one rejection letter that said they would have taken me on a few months ago, but their client list is now full. They may have just said that to let me down gently, but it definitely beats a form rejection. My partial request came from an agent that I hesitated about querying, because they're such a big name. The odds are still saying that they're going to pass on me, but even the fact that they asked to see my work will give me a boost that should take me through the next round of querying.

Speaking of querying, Ravensborough is going out this weekend. So fingers crossed.

What do you guys do when you get discouraged?

10 comments:

  1. The one with the full client list should give you hope! The publishing industry is all about timing. Keep trying and you'll have your time.

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  2. I totally feel your pain. It's tough receiving rejection after rejection, but I guess we keep on trying! Keep it up!

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  3. I had a week like that too! How does that happen? Why so fast?

    Good luck staying positive while querying. It's hard I know, but the fact that you got partial requests is AMAZING! Good luck with your next round of querying!

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  4. Christine, that non-form rejection letter is encouraging! Besides, like they all say, it only takes one yes. It's such a subjective business, and while we do take to heart the rejections that come our way, it doesn't mean we write total crap. It just means that you haven't found the one person who'll love your work as much as you do.

    Goodluck!!

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  5. Querying is super stressful. Don't give up hope though! You never know who will fall in love what you do. Partial requests are awesome, so that must mean you're doing something right. Just keep at it!

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  6. Good luck with the latest submission!!!! Someone will take you on as a client, I just know it!!!

    Heather

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  7. When I'm discouraged, I just remember that it's only one person, one agent and there are plenty others out there that will love your work. Usually a little ice cream will cheer me up. :)

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  8. I have been through every imaginable permutation of discouragement re: writing. Generally I just keep going writing, editing, sending out work despite the fact that my confidence is shite. I've been at this too long to give up and I am extremely stubborn. I ask myself, Am I really ready to quit? And I have to (sometimes reluctantly) admit: NO.

    Got my fingers and toes crossed for you!

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  9. It sounds like you're getting close. Hang in there :)

    Whenever I get disheartened, I take a step back from my writing and go get inspired to carry on. I love to go to a bookshop, stand among the shelves and think "I need to be here." It helps a lot!

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  10. Thanks everyone! You're all so lovely and encouraging, I'm so lucky to have you all here for my down days. Your comments cheered me up :)

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