First Wednesday of the month, so you know what that means. Time for IWSG!
So I'm approaching the end of my revisions for my WIP All That Remains. I've got to finish transcribing my on paper revisions to my digital copy, make a few more changes here and there, send it out to my final two beta readers I have lined up and that's kind of it. I mean, obvs depending on what they say, there might be more changes, but still.
And before I realized how close I was to being done, I was chomping at the bit to query it. I mean, I think I've talked about before how I like to query, so doing more of it is fun.
But when I realized how close I was to actually querying it, I got a little scared. So then I tried to analyze that feeling, because I don't like being scared or having anxiety and the way to get rid of it is to address where it's coming from.
First I think I was scared of not having anything to work on while my final betas are reading. But then I realized that was just stupid. I have 2 short stories and a PB I'd like to try my hand at before I start anything new. AND I have two novels I need to start plotting and figuring out before I decide which one I want to tackle next.
So that took away some of my anxiety. Then I realized (I think) that I was just sacred of putting my work out there again. I'm confident in it, but this will be my third novel (to query) and I really, really love this one. I think it's my strongest one yet. And what if it goes nowhere? Or, what if it does WORSE than the last two I queried?
I know, logically, my love for it will fade once I start a new novel, and by the time rejections roll in I'll hopefully be in love with something new so they'll just kind of roll off. But still, until that happens, I just kind of have to wring my hands some I guess.
How about you? How do you confront your feels?
So I'm approaching the end of my revisions for my WIP All That Remains. I've got to finish transcribing my on paper revisions to my digital copy, make a few more changes here and there, send it out to my final two beta readers I have lined up and that's kind of it. I mean, obvs depending on what they say, there might be more changes, but still.
And before I realized how close I was to being done, I was chomping at the bit to query it. I mean, I think I've talked about before how I like to query, so doing more of it is fun.
But when I realized how close I was to actually querying it, I got a little scared. So then I tried to analyze that feeling, because I don't like being scared or having anxiety and the way to get rid of it is to address where it's coming from.
First I think I was scared of not having anything to work on while my final betas are reading. But then I realized that was just stupid. I have 2 short stories and a PB I'd like to try my hand at before I start anything new. AND I have two novels I need to start plotting and figuring out before I decide which one I want to tackle next.
So that took away some of my anxiety. Then I realized (I think) that I was just sacred of putting my work out there again. I'm confident in it, but this will be my third novel (to query) and I really, really love this one. I think it's my strongest one yet. And what if it goes nowhere? Or, what if it does WORSE than the last two I queried?
I know, logically, my love for it will fade once I start a new novel, and by the time rejections roll in I'll hopefully be in love with something new so they'll just kind of roll off. But still, until that happens, I just kind of have to wring my hands some I guess.
How about you? How do you confront your feels?
16 comments:
It's funny, you mention querying. I haven't sent anything out in years, but I had a dream the other night I was querying one of my books and the anxiety I felt in the dream was palpable. I woke up in a cold sweat.
I always liked the thrill of sending queries out -- hope being the overwhelming emotion. It was the rejections that killed me. Especially when the agents sent me a nice letter that said the writing was swell.
I think you answered your own question - keep busy and you won't have time to worry or be afraid.
That's cool it's so close to being complete!
At this point, you've already done the hard work on the novel, so giving the querying your best shot is only what it deserves.
Gawd, it sucks. I hate this part.
You LIKE querying? That is the strangest admission I've ever heard! Great idea to analyze where the anxiety comes from, though. And I LOVE plotting, so that is a great project in the interim...
Take it one day at a time and start working on the next project as soon as possible. Rejection is inevitable, but remember that it only takes one yes to open the right door.
I ignore my feels - the better to be an emotional robot.
Seriously though, I'm like you: I try to confront my anxieties head on, determine what the worst possible outcome I'm afraid of is, and deal with it.
YIKES! I know that feeling. In fact, I started querying my current query bait, and it was doing great. Then some agents pointed stuff out that my betas hadn't.
Now I'm practically rewriting the whole thing and wishing I could send little emails to the agents who have the query to say "Nope, hold on, I'll have a better version soon."
To me, the pausing in the middle of querying thing is just a killer.
Good luck (and I suspect All That Remains will do awesome).
don't forget your characters and their voices. When my publisher asked for a second novel in a series, I had to re-introduce myself to my MC. He didn't talk to me for a long time!
I think you're going about things the right way in that you're thinking things through and working out what's causing the worry. I think you're doing okay :)
I'm going to be querying in a few months(well, hopefully, I said that a few months ago too...) and when I start worrying about rejections and absolutely zero requests- I go eat a candy bar! =) No, normally, I just let myself worry a bit and then tell myself I'll never know until I start hitting that send button.
I haven't really had much experience in confronting my feels, because I haven't even dared to get heavily in on the query game yet. But I am getting closer and closer to that point, so I might have a better answer for you then. :)
Uck, I hate to query, but like to be published. A catch 22 event.
And to coin an overused phrase "Just Do It!" gotta get through it to get through it.
.....dhole
Feelings are a tricky business. Sometimes you have to be patient and figure your feelings out.
www.modernworld4.blogspot.com
Fear of success, fear of failure, and everything in between. I pay attention to my feelings, but I try not to let them control me. Sometimes I have to reason myself out of a particular anxiety.
Was thrilled to see your results over at the Teen Eyes Contest with Matt MacNish. With a first page like that you're query is going to take second place. Once they read the page, the requests are going to come rolling in.
Can't wait to see this baby in print so I can read it.
Good luck (not that I think you'll need it)
Post a Comment