Somebody forgot to turn on the heat in our buildings over the weekend, and it got down to the mid-20s (Fahrenheit) last night. It's c-c-c-cold in here. The heat is just now seeping in, slowly, so maybe I can take off my gloves and coat soon. {s}
I got a surprise rejection Saturday night--for a query I'd sent off in June. Went to check my email one last time before going to bed and boom! A thanks-but-no-thanks. Fortunately it didn't bother me, since I'd nearly forgotten it was still hanging out there. One good thing is that I had to open up my query list this morning to update it, and just looking at the new agents I've marked to send to got me a little energized again.
I said I wouldn't go into details about the query hunt here, and I won't. I can say that the first round had some ups and downs, and after I got some particular feedback I got a little down and frustrated, and put a temporary halt on sending out new queries. I think I have to re-read the first section One More Time and fix a couple problems that were pointed out to me before I send it out again. Once that's done, the queries go out and I concentrate on Book 2. TMT gets one more fix for querying and then I just have to turn my attention to the new one, and let it fly on its own.
A good friend of mine just sent me a link to Elizabeth's Bear's post about when to let go of a book. Read it, bookmark it, and pay attention--I did.
Medieval Word of the Day: viretote: An unsettled state or condition.
8 comments:
Susan,
I'm sorry about the rejection and the depression. I don't blame you a bit for feeling down. These are big friggin' projects and they can easily get overwhelming and frustrating and disheartening.
Good for you for not giving up. For revising again. For sending out again. For doing all the hard work when giving up or ranting or moaning would be so much easier. You go girl!
P.S. I love that pic of the iced leaf! Very pretty. And I hope your building warms up soon!
Oh, thanks, Sara.
Well, I did give up for a few weeks; I hated even the thought of the thing. But apparently this was just irritation and doubt seeping in. I will keep going, whether this book sells soon, at all, or if I have to go to Book 2. {s}
Thanks again!
Boo to the rejection, but I'm glad it's given you a little get up and go again! Good for you!
Julie
Susan,
Well, definitely don't give up. Know when to quit, but don't give up.
Anything I can help with? Want a fresh set of eyes to have a look?
I'm so sorry about the rejection. Not fun! I admire your determination. It'll pay off!
And thanks so much for sharing the Elizabeth Bear link. I did bookmark it and I know I'll reread it often. Just the thing for a tortured perfectionist like me! ;o)
Sara:
I'm not giving up. :)
Thanks for the offer of a read, but at this point I think I need to just go with it without more feedback rounds. Sometimes you have to just go with your gut. But I'll keep you in mind if I decide differently!
Renee:
That was a kick-ass post of Elizabeth Bear's, wasn't it?
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