Here we are again! The first Wednesday of the month, for the Insecure Writer's Support Group.
Usually I'm heavier on the giving support bit. Because I'm a firm believer in having a positive attitude, even when things are bringing you down. And usually I'm in a good mood and want to spread it around a bit.
And that still holds, but I thought today I'd switch it up a bit and talk about something that is dragging me down.
Rejections, yo.
As you may know, I've started querying Break Free. And it's going well and I'm cautiously optimistic (as usual. Positive attitude and all that). But no matter how confident you are and how great your MS is (or you think it is) you're still in for rejections once you start querying.
And when you query your second MS there's something else that turns a regular query rejection into something slightly worse. When you get a query rejection from an agent who read your previous MS. That hurts extra hard, especially when you know the new MS is so so so better!
Sigh.
I just have to remember that I don't need every agent to love it. I just need one.
How are things with you?
Usually I'm heavier on the giving support bit. Because I'm a firm believer in having a positive attitude, even when things are bringing you down. And usually I'm in a good mood and want to spread it around a bit.
And that still holds, but I thought today I'd switch it up a bit and talk about something that is dragging me down.
Rejections, yo.
As you may know, I've started querying Break Free. And it's going well and I'm cautiously optimistic (as usual. Positive attitude and all that). But no matter how confident you are and how great your MS is (or you think it is) you're still in for rejections once you start querying.
And when you query your second MS there's something else that turns a regular query rejection into something slightly worse. When you get a query rejection from an agent who read your previous MS. That hurts extra hard, especially when you know the new MS is so so so better!
Sigh.
I just have to remember that I don't need every agent to love it. I just need one.
How are things with you?
21 comments:
I've queried two novels in a limited fashion, and no question it's hard on the ego. Rejection sucks, but I have a feeling you're getting close, so hang in there and keep sending out those queries. It really does take just one agent to love your story. :)
Every writer who is brave enough to go through the querying process deserves a medal! Rejections suck, there's no denying it, but I am sure you will find that one acceptance that makes you forget all the bad parts of querying!
Rejection sucks. Hang in there - and you're right. You just need one.
;-)
That's the spirit! You just need it to blow the socks off one person.
Just think how amazing it is that you've come THIS far in the process that you've queried TWICE! Some people (like me) are so afraid of the Big Bad Query process that they'll continue to tinker with their work and never take the leap.
And yeah, just thinking of rejections in life (dates, job interviews, queries, etc) is enough to make me crawl back into my introvert hole like the groundhog in PA...
A rejection is only an opinion--just not a very well-informed opinion.
Blow it off.
I'm in the trenches with you on this one. The first MS I queried got absolutely no love from anyone. Zip. This time around... well things are going slightly better, but you know how it is, it's a hurdle just to get someone to take a peek, then its a hurdle to get them to fall in love (great writing AND concept AND timing), then they have to love it enough to offer. Pretty much, the whole process just isn't easy. Chin up, we're here and rooting for you.
Keep your chin up, Lady! That must be a very hard thing to go through... I get mad when strangers reject my attempts at conversation - I don't think I'm made of the right stuff to take people rejecting my... MS (I don't know what that is. Master Script, I'll call it).
Hey, who was it that said you're not a writing until you can wallpaper your room in rejections?
Hang in. You'll find the one who is out there waiting for you.
Rejection bites the big one, no matter how you look at it. The sucky thing is that is doesn't stop - even once you're published, you still get rejected! Does that cheer you up? Hehe! Actually, it always does when I hear things like that, because then I think it's not so much down to the writing but to personal taste of editors and markets.
Seconding what Talli said. I just sent a short story that I LOVE off to a bunch of fancy journals knowing it will be rejected and rejected and rejected. The good thing is my skin is starting to feel like alligator hide!
Same. Based on my stats of late, I should be discouraged, but I'm trying not to think about it.
This is when I propose we have a rejection party. Full of fizzling soda and chocolate and watching funny movies all night.
And playing Just Dance.
Nowhere near where you're at, but feeling pretty good about writing right now. I'm excited about this new project, and even if nothing comes of it, feeling good I got that story submitted.
You just need to keep going and eventually the right agent will love your books.
Somebody will succumb... just hang in there.
That positive, high-spirited attitude has gotten you this far...
I like your attitude, Sarah :) The odds are in your favour, so it's just a matter of time to find the right match :)
Yes, you only need that one YES to lift you from query h*ll.
I've had many rejections and some awesome YESES. The positive responses will carry you a long way. Good luck, you're on this path for a reason.
Catherine Stine’s Idea City
Things keep going for me. Not necessarily good things, lol! But you are right. You just need ONE to love it! And you will find that one, it just takes time and patience. We're all here for you to lean on when those rejections get too heavy. <3
Way to keep plugging away girl! I've queried three stories now, about to start the fourth AND fifth (one is a collab project). It doesn't really get easier. But perhaps I'm able to recover faster. haha
You'll get one. :) I just know it!
I'm right there with you! You just gotta hunker down and believe in that light and the end of the tunnel! :)
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