 |
| I love you, writing, even though you are cruel to me. |
I have to admit I was horribly naive. I'd had great luck publishing short stories and was sure the only thing between me and best-sellerdom was making the time to write a book.
*laughs to the point of tears, then just cries*
I spent two years writing my masterpiece. Within weeks of turning 42 I submitted to agents, sure I had written the Best Book Ever.
I didn't hear back from one agent. Not even a rejection. Total silence.
My next step was to investigate conferences where I could meet an agent. After all, my wonderful manuscript was obviously not being seen, languishing in the slush pile, or the Big 6 would be having a bidding war over My Precious by this time.
I joined American Christian Fiction Writers and began taking advantage of internet resources. Slowly I began to realize that rather than writing The Next Big Thing I had completed an Unmarketable Monstrosity. Christian Science Fiction clocking in at 140,000 words. Yeah.
I rewrote my entire manuscript before my first ACFW conference, sure this time I'd gotten it right. Until I got that first critique back. Ouch.
So 8 years later, as I turn 48, I have continued to write and publish short stories, but the coveted contract with a traditional publisher continues to allude me. Not that the 8 years have been wasted. I joined the Society for Children's Book Writers and Illustrators 5 years ago and finaled in the 2012 ACFW Genesis contest. I have continued to grow as a writer and am confident that when the manuscript and timing are right I will find the perfect agent/editor/publishing house. But more importantly, after 8 years, I am still in love with writing. Despite not yet achieving my main goal I am thrilled to have begun this journey and will continue until death do us part.
How long have you been writing? Are you still in love?
No comments:
Post a Comment