First rejection

I've had my first ever rejection letter. Now I feel like a proper writer.

I'm sure it's a stock letter, but it did say they thought the idea was "interesting", so rather than get down about it I choose to see that as a good thing.

I fully expect to get lots of rejection letters, so I'm very aware that if one gets upset about them then you are just inviting misery.

Four more submissions have gone off today, so now to hold my breath for another four rejection letters. It will be interesting to compare the wording.

*deep breath*

Okay. Off to the post office. In for a penny in for a pound and all that. Eeeep!

Waiting waiting waiting

I still haven't had any feedback on my submissions letter.

It's really difficult to know what to put in one of these, and this is my first attempt. I was desperately hoping that a friend-of-a-friend (who is a published author) would offer some pointers. They said they would, but haven't got back to me. I don't like to be pushy, after all, they are working to deadlines themselves.

I think I just have to be brave, and trust in myself.

Hurrah.

Day off duly taken.

Alterations made from proof reading feedback.

Submission letter drafted (gosh... that was harder than I expected) and sent to someone for feedback.

More research on suitable publishers done.


One slightly irritating thing is some of the conflicting advise I'm getting re: a literary agent. Some of the stuff I've seen indicates a number of publishers won't touch something unless it comes via an agent. One book I've read even suggests getting an agent is the first thing you should do. However, a bloke at work has had a book published, and he says no, don't get an agent unless/until you are an established writer.

What to do??

Something will have to go...

It's driving me potty. I have to get my writing done.

When you see people explain that they "have" to write you don't really understand it until you have the same thing boiling inside you.

Something will have to be sacrificed. Whether it is sleep, or sofa time with my loved one. There MUST be a way I can set aside one paltry hour a day.

It can be done, and it will be done.

Time, or lack of it.

Well, I've got lots of useful feedback from the proof-reader. I just can't get the time to sit down and get everything finalised.

I'm just going to have to take a day off work to do it.

I really appreciate why you need a dedicated writing space, and serious alone time, to really make progress with writing.

Oh it would be so much easier if I didn't have all these demands on my time. I got a text from old friends this week asking to come and visit. We've decided on Friday, but really I wanted to put them off. I have things I need to be doing.

Sods Law

dictates the moment the manuscript goes for proof, I discover something interesting to add to it.