Writing is a Journey And This One is Mine
GOOD NEWS! I ended up with agents at two NYC literary agencies wanting to see my book! In the publishing world and the realm of pitch wars, that’s the equivalent of putting on the One Ring and getting the Eye of Mordor’s attention.
It’s not a decision I’m taking lightly. I see the agent-author relationship as a partnership. We rise and fall together. It requires trust and communication and a serious belief in each other.
My first rejection letter ever. From no less than one of the most prestigious literary magazines in the world. Telling me, “Hey, not bad kid. Go find someplace to publish this. It’s got merit.” I’ll take it.
It’s really up to you whether you want to visualize this as a tender home birthing moment or that scene in Aliens where Ripley is about to experience a Jiffy-Pop C-section. Both are accurate.
I wrote almost 15K words last week! And came up with a great technique to rout writer’s block — it worked on me, anyway. Plus, the Muse paid a special visit.
The writer was not in the market for any further character development that day, having already been set upon by the Four Whoresons of the Manuscripts: Twitterhole, Procrastination, Oooh Shiny!, and Day Job.
I connect with the story of Hades and Persephone on so many levels. Today’s touchstone: crossing back and forth between the realm where I live and the realm where I write.
On those days with low word counts, when you feel like you went ten rounds in the ring with your evil writer doppelganger and got your ass handed to you, remember this.
You cannot write and edit at the same time, Mel. You cannot write and edit at the same time. Bad things happen. Words disappear.
Today was a dialogue day between two of my characters. I tried something different so I could hit the ground running. I think it worked.
Knowing how you write is critical to setting effective goals. And keeping your hair. Learned a lesson yesterday — the hard way.
It’s time to begin my big push towards finishing my book, seeking representation, and (hopefully) eventual publication. And I’m going to blog about it. Every step of the way. Won’t you come along?