My First Rejection

Well, I finally managed to finish my first book and get up enough nerve to send it out to an agent. Unfortunately, a miracle did not occur and it was politely rejected.
With a postcard.
Ouch.

Okay, I've passed that hurdle. I've had a rejection and I didn't die. Now that wasn't so bad. I did flinch though.

Now I know I'm really an optimist. Only an optimist could have believed that the first agent they submitted to would scoop up their material. Realizing that has really made me feel much better. It's also made me realize that perhaps my expectations could be a bit lofty, not unreachable, but definitely on the high side.

Well, I've already sent it out to another agent and I'm working on the third query when I'm feeling like flogging myself. But I'm not letting it totally consume me. I have been writing on another book. I've actually gotten pretty far into said other book while I was screwing up my courage to send off Book One.

I must thank the writers at The Midnight Hour and The Midnight Moon Cafe for their comments on submitting and perserverance. They really helped me get the ball rolling with this one. Plus, they have really good books.

Whenever I was wondering what in the world I was doing trying to write a book someone on one of those sites would write about writing, submitting, rejections, or just life as a writer and I could relate. I realized as I read their thoughts and ideas that I didn't have to have multiple college degrees or even one in English to be a writer. I just needed the passion to write, and I have that in spades.

I don't know if I'll ever be a "published" author, but I will continue to write anyway because I need to. The voices in my head don't let me sleep if I don't write. Though sometimes they don't let me sleep even if I do. But I love to write and will write on scraps of paper if that's all I have handy when the muse strikes.

The Drafting of a Query Letter

Now that I've finished a book and I'm ready to try and have it published I need to compose a query letter. Who would have thought that writing could be so difficult for a writer? I've looked at sample letters and read a variety of books and blogs that give great advice, but still I find myself struggling with writing a simple letter.

To be honest, it's not just the query letter that is messing with me. It's the 'brief synopsis' that I need to compose as well. How do I write the basics of my story in a brief synopsis? I was never good at that in school either. I recall high school english classes where I would ace the spelling, vocab, even the actual writing, but when it came to writing a synopsis of any story, I struggled.

I suspect it has to do with actually being a writer. I tend see all the details and I see them as important to the whole. This makes it difficult for me to not mention them in a synopsis, but of course, you aren't supposed to mention all the details. So, then I need to pick and choose which ones are the most important and that is where I stumble.

I suppose it is one of those things that just requires practice and perserverance. Eventually if I work on it long enough I may actually get good at it.

No, probably not. But I'll keep trying anyway.

Overcoming My Fear

Well, I finally did it. I've let someone else read my book. Actually a couple of people. Two of my close friends are currently reading my book in between the activities of their busy lives. And they want to read more! I'm soooo happy. I knew that I liked my story, but I had never had anyone actually read my writing before, well, not since I wrote poetry in high school.

I've been sending them a few chapters at a time and they seem to like it. Of course, one of them is as interested in paranormal stories as I am, but the other is unfamiliar with them. Gives me a fresh eye, I think. Should I get another friend to draft up a mock cover? Should I make a website for this book now? I'm not really sure. I do know I need to get it out to an agent or publisher.

First, of course, I need to write that synopsis and cover letter. Oh boy, I am not looking forward to that. I need to do some searching for good examples of both and then give it a shot. I am determined to get this book out there.

The End is in Sight

Well, the end is in sight for my first novel. Not the actual publication, but the actual writing.

I've been back and forth over it numerous times and have had to tweak a variety of spots to coordinate with where the characters decided to take the story. I'm *this* close to the end, but not quite there.

I've been reevaluating several areas of the book and wondering how much I should play with it. Should I just fix any errors and work on submitting it, or should I fix them, work on submitting, and make more adjustments? What to do, what to do?

I'm trying not to obsess about every little thing, but I find as I think back on scenes, I could have written them better, made them more real. Or something. Is this normal? It all seemed to flow so naturally as I wrote it. Why can't I leave it at that? I've changed so many scenes as I've been writing, and now, I'm thinking I didn't do enough.

I'm not sure I'll convince myself to let it stand until at least an agent has read it, but I'll try. Patience is a virtue, they say. I hope I can find some and not muck this up with too much obsessing.