Thanks to Alex and this month's co-hosts:
I'm still not around the blog much at the moment but I'm dropping in today to participate in IWSG.
Since I last posted I have finished reworking a manuscript and I'm nearly ready to start sending it out into the world. This will be the fifth full length MG manuscript I have subbed and I'm starting to wonder if I will ever get any further along the road to finding an agent. I have had several 'near misses' and a good dollop of positive feedback and competition placements in the past but I just don't seem to be get to that next step.
The good thing about having several polished manuscripts is that I can have something out on submission all the time, meaning I could potentially hear good news at any time. More chances has to be a good thing, right? However, as any writer out on submission knows, the waiting is HARD. It can consume your thoughts and occasionally actually zaps your creativity making it tough to write anything new.
The good thing about having several polished manuscripts is that I can have something out on submission all the time, meaning I could potentially hear good news at any time. More chances has to be a good thing, right? However, as any writer out on submission knows, the waiting is HARD. It can consume your thoughts and occasionally actually zaps your creativity making it tough to write anything new.
I have started drafting a new project and I want to be able to continue working on this whilst on submission, I just hope the creative juices will flow!
If you're in a similar position, how do you cope with being on submission long term? And have you ever felt like giving up your writing dreams?
IWSG Day Question: Besides writing, what other creative outlets do you have?
I'm not sure I really have any other creative outlets. Writing is number one for me between work, family and other commitments I don't really have time for anything else at the moment.
Lovely to seeh you around again Suzanne and pleased your writing is going good.
ReplyDeleteHad any snow in your part of the world? We did here in Dorset last week.
Yvonne.
We had some last week, Yvonne. Didn't last long though.
DeleteMore chances sure aren't a bad thing indeed.
ReplyDeleteGot to put yourself out there!
DeleteMore submissions does mean more good chances. And you can try submitting to publishers as well and increase your odds even more.
ReplyDeleteYes, this is another option too.
DeleteI've never been on submission, but I think you have the right approach in working on another manuscript. If you read my debut author interviews, a common thread is continuing to write and submit until one finally gets you an agent and book contract. Many authors write many books and query them before reaching that goal. Hang in there.
ReplyDeleteThanks Natalie. I try to keep busy with my writing projects.
DeleteI have to agree with Natalie's advice. That said, acceptance with a small press really boosted my confidence and improved my productivity--and no agent was required! I don't know much about the various career paths for MG writers; is an agent the only way?
ReplyDeleteWe all need a confidence boost sometimes. There are a few outlets for MG writers but not that many that I've found to date. Who knows what's around the corner though. Thanks for the visit.
DeleteMore submission means more chances. I tend to switch off when I am on submission and focus on either writing a new book or revise a earlier one. Good luck with your submissions.
ReplyDeleteThanks Rachna, you too.
DeleteGreat news on the manuscript! Keep us posted.
ReplyDeleteI will do!
DeleteI'm still trying to get an agent as well. I haven't had near-misses or a good dollop of positive feedback, though. So you sound a head of me. Keep going!
ReplyDeleteIt's hard isn't it Chrys? Let's all keep on keeping on.
DeleteYou are so right. Submitting is hard. Being rejected is harder. I'm glad you've started something new. It's what I did and it helped keep me in the present and not dwelling on something I can do nothing about.
ReplyDeleteAnna from elements of emaginette
I'm trying to focus on the new stuff, thanks for stopping by and the words of encouragement.
DeleteI hope your project finds a good home soon. Waiting is the hardest. Once it's out the door, focus on the new project. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteHi Suzanne,
ReplyDeleteDelightful to see a post from you, my nice friend. It seems you're keeping most active. I wish you well in your pursuit of an agent.
Everything you do in life that doesn't involve writing is, in actuality, a creative outlet that can be written about at a later date. Quite the intertwining, methinks.
All the best.
Gary
Congrats on your latest manuscript! Will keep my fingers crossed for you as it's out on submission. (Know too well how stressful and depressing that process can be!) Hope you receive more than a near miss this time. And that's exciting how you've been drafting a new project, in the meantime--best of luck with it!
ReplyDeleteMore submissions means more chances of success. Hope things go well!
ReplyDeletewww.ficklemillennial.blogspot.com
I think we've all hit a spot where we had to take a good, long look at what we want out of writing. As House, MD said: "You have three choices in this life: be good, get good or give up.". That can mean taking a different publishing path than the one you're on, trying a different genre -- or knowing that you are excellent and that you won't give up :-)
ReplyDeleteRonel visiting for Feb's IWSG Day Being an Insecure Writer -- And Happy About It
i am ERIC BRUNT by name. Greetings to every one that is reading this testimony. I have been rejected by my wife after three(3) years of marriage just because another Man had a spell on her and she left me and the kid to suffer. one day when i was reading through the web, i saw a post on how this spell caster on this address AKHERETEMPLE@gmail.com have help a woman to get back her husband and i gave him a reply to his address and he told me that a man had a spell on my wife and he told me that he will help me and after 3 days that i will have my wife back. i believed him and today i am glad to let you all know that this spell caster have the power to bring lovers back. because i am now happy with my wife. Thanks for helping me Dr Akhere contact him on email: AKHERETEMPLE@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteor
call/whatsapp:+2349057261346
i am ERIC BRUNT by name. Greetings to every one that is reading this testimony. I have been rejected by my wife after three(3) years of marriage just because another Man had a spell on her and she left me and the kid to suffer. one day when i was reading through the web, i saw a post on how this spell caster on this address AKHERETEMPLE@gmail.com have help a woman to get back her husband and i gave him a reply to his address and he told me that a man had a spell on my wife and he told me that he will help me and after 3 days that i will have my wife back. i believed him and today i am glad to let you all know that this spell caster have the power to bring lovers back. because i am now happy with my wife. Thanks for helping me Dr Akhere contact him on email: AKHERETEMPLE@gmail.com
or
call/whatsapp:+2349057261346