It isn't saving lives, is it?
Writing is pretty selfish.
One markets it as an essential tool for understanding society, or a method of ascertaining the human condition but that's being somewhat philosophical.
Can writing save your life, or anyone else's?
The intuitive ones among you may have noticed a touch of melancholy to my tone - yes, I got another rejection. You are a sensitive lot! I've lost count how many negative returns that is from the ten or so queries I sent out but that's because I have dyscalculia and not because I am not counting! However, there are some unaccounted for (um) so it's all still very much to play for. And even if they all come back with no love I will be sending another batch out and going through the same process all over again. I am nothing if not tenacious!
Life would be simpler if I could be happy doing some other job. All I can do is make stuff: of words, of paint, of stuff. You make of me what you like.
15 comments:
I take it this is another agent rejection? Do you really NEED an agent? In Ireland it's not necessary - publishers tend to be smaller and will deal directly with authors. Maybe NZ is similar?
My agent represents 1 book only and has not sold it yet. I submitted all my other books directly to publishers myself.
I have received this advice many times and although I don't think I always appreciated it enough, it is an essential one: Just keep writing, publishing is only the cherry on the cake.
I know it's hard to take rejection. I'm sorry you have to go through this. But you'll make it soon. I am sure of that. You write so well.
N - my understanding is that it is fine to approach publishers directly here in NZ providing there is strong NZ content to your writing...but most of mine (novels)is located in Britain (aside from my current WIP). Not sure about short fiction/poetry...was concentrating on novels..perhaps I should make a more concerted effort with my short fiction etc...
Lori - you are, of course, right - I was feeling sorry for myself. I am over it now! Will get back to doing something productive!
New post coming up!
I'm sorry about the rejection, Rachel. It's really tough out there at the moment; I have an editor aquaintance who is fed up with editors rejecting her clients, even the published ones. Nearly everything is getting a "no" right now.
Just keep on writing and when the hard times pass, you will have a wealth of material to pick and choose from.
Thanks for that Donna - I do sometimes feel as though I've just bought a load of square wheels the day before the round one was invented!
We writers have to grow thicker skins and stop taking rejection personally. It's a buyer's market. Magazines are spoiled for choice. So they can afford to be picky. There are so many things that go though an editor's mind when they're bringing out a magazine. I know. My wife produced a couple of magazines for about ten years and the one thing she was never short of was submissions. It's been years since she's had to give them up and she still gets people sending her stuff.
You're absolutely right Jim, thanks. I am querying with two novels at the moment, and although I've had some interest shown in one of them, the market is, as you say, proving to be my worst enemy. Onwards though. I may start my own lending library at this rate!
Rejection can be difficult, but as long as you enjoy what you are doing it's great and will be worthwhile.
I think doing writing full time would be great, but that would have it's own challenges as I know from what other writers say and from my own uni days doing academic writing full time.
All the best with your applications!
Thanks Andrea. I think writing full time definitely has both advantages and disadvantages, but on balance I would rather write than not, but it doen't always seem justifiable to my nearest and dearest to keep on at it with no apparent incentive.
Thanks again.
It's difficult. You write really well and clearly you enjoy it, so I say keep at it. Best wishes.
Thanks AW, I'll stop moping and banging on about it now!
I certainly understand the second half of the post - wishing you could get on and do something else (maybe more useful to others) but just not being able to give up the creating stuff business. It's a neverending internal struggle...at least some of the time! Kind of annoying...
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That's exactly it, Rachel. IF it was only me I'd have no issues, but my family do not see the point of it all! Hard to justify myself all the time.
When you say 'family' do you mean people who live in your house or your wider family? Sorry...nosy.
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All of the above with exception of two people in wider family sense.
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