Every first Wednesday of the month, the IWSG (Insecure Writer’s Support Group) engages writers to share their fears, thoughts, progress, struggles, excitement, encouragement, or anything really, about their writing. A different question is posed each month, as a writing prompt for IWSG members. Answering it is optional. For April, the question is: “If you could use a wish to help you write just one scene/chapter of your book, which one would it be?”
This amazing, supportive group of writers was founded by Alex J. Cavanaugh. Today, the co-hosts are J.H. Moncrieff, Natalie Aguirre, Patsy Collins, and Chemist Ken. Feel free to swing by their sites and see what they’re up to.
My answer to the question (If you could use a wish to help you write just one scene/chapter of your book, which one would it be?)
I’m going to cheat with this month’s question, as I enjoy writing every chapter of my memoir or any new book I have in mind. Instead, I would use my wish to help me write a summary/blurb that catches the eye of a reader, an editor, a publisher, or, most importantly right now, an agent!
Rejections
After completing step 1 (the book proposal) and step 2 (submitting queries to agents), it is inevitably time for step 3 – rejections – on my road to getting published traditionally. They have been trickling in last month. It is part of the process. Unfortunately, they are all standard (form) rejection letters, without constructive criticism or helpful tips. Some aren’t even addressed to me or signed by the agent I contacted.
Here is an example of one of the “nicer” rejection letters I received:
Dear Liesbet,
Thank you for thinking of me in your search for representation. I appreciate you sharing your work with me. However, after taking a closer look I don’t feel this project is a good fit for me at this time, so I will have to pass.
Please keep in mind that this is a very subjective business, and mine is only one opinion.
Sincerely,
XXX
Agent, XXX Literary Agency
Of course, getting some answer is better than none. Of the 33 agents I sent my query or book proposal to, one is not an agent anymore (always fun to find out after the extensive submission process) and 12 have reacted with a “No, thanks!” Will the others still get back to me after two months, or will they remain quiet?
My book progress
Now this will be a short paragraph. In March, I did NOTHING in regards to my memoir. Except for reading and categorizing rejection letters and updating my “agent chart”.
Mark and I had an amazing month exploring Arizona and Southern Utah in our camper van. We’ve been hiking, sightseeing, driving, and running our life on the road. As the weeks progressed, my “memoir weight” became less heavy. I could get used to this! It was a nice break from work. The following weeks, I hope to blog about the amazing places we visited. Here are a few more photos to whet the appetite. (Click for larger view and to read the captions.)
What’s next?
Some authors say you should aim for 100 rejections a year. Others have told me I should send out way more than 33 queries if I want to find representation and that this process could take up to a year. I feel I have three options right now: contact more agents, research small presses/niche publishers, or go the self-publishing route.
Mark and I have committed to a five-week (repeat) house and pet sit in Albuquerque, NM, which starts this weekend. I’m looking forward to unlimited electricity, WiFi, and desk use to get back to my book. Plunge needs a heavy edit and more research to find a suitable publishing home.
Do you ever feel guilty “goofing off” when you should be working? How do you deal with that?
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April 3, 2019 at 10:58
Wow, what stunning photos and scenery! Good you enjoyed your break, now you’ll be fresher to carry on with your book. Keep going.
April 4, 2019 at 09:35
Thanks for the encouragement, Jim and Trace! One more big outing today (Monument Valley) and then I have five weeks to be productive, before hitting the road again. 🙂
April 3, 2019 at 11:02
Hi Liesbet! So glad you’ve been having a great time in your exploration. This spring has been amazing all over the southwest. And in answer to your question, yes. I do sometimes feel guilty when I put projects on hold to enjoy myself. But I am learning as I age that I am my biggest critic and that sometimes a break is exactly the most important thing I can do for my own mental, emotionally and spiritual health (not to mention the quality of my relationship.) Another thing I’ve found is that my project is still there when I return…it’s not like I ever lost it! Once you get settled you will be back on track. ~Kathy
April 4, 2019 at 09:39
Hi Kathy! Yes, breaks are good. In fact, they are so nice – in our case, traveling this magnificent country – that I wish they could last forever. But, just like my project is still there, the amazing sites are still there to be discovered at a later stage as well. 🙂 As you know, life is all about balance. And, I am looking forward to easier times in a house and being productive again. Lots to catch up on, though, so I’m already feeling overwhelmed.
April 3, 2019 at 11:06
You have worked so hard on your memoir, you have nothing to feel guilty about. Enjoy your travel time, Liesbet. I think the break may rejuvenate you and provide you with a clearer focus on which path you’d like to pursue.
April 4, 2019 at 19:36
Hi Jill! You sound like you know what you’re talking about. 🙂 At this point, after two months of traveling, hiking, sightseeing, camper van living, driving, meeting new friends, and fulfilling my adventurous spirit, I am – indeed – rejuvenated and ready to sit behind a desk again. Thanks for your kind comment.
April 3, 2019 at 11:30
Hi Liesbet – With such stunning surroundings and if I had the freedom to roam with something like Zesty, I wouldn’t feel any guilt at all 🙂 We all need a break here and there to recharge and a change of scenery is usually beneficial. Have a great weekend settling in your house and pet sit in NM!
April 4, 2019 at 19:26
Hi Natalie! You are so right. I shouldn’t feel guilty at all hiking and sightseeing in these stunning surroundings! I’ve found, though, that each time Mark and I set out in Zesty for a longer period of time (usually indefinitely until something else comes up), it takes me at least a month to feel comfortable and relaxed about not sitting behind my computer eight hours a day. Maybe this feeling will get better the more I practice. 🙂
April 3, 2019 at 11:44
Yeah, those rejections are so boring. I’ve received one that was personal, and funny enough, even though it was a rejection, the way it was written has inspired me to keep going.
My worst rejection came from a local press who asked for a full manuscript, emailed back and forth for a bit, then still sent me a “Dear author” in the end. A side note, they liked a pitch of mine during the last IWSG twitter pitch for the same project. Yeah, that was an easy to ignore situation.
April 4, 2019 at 19:23
Thanks for letting me know that there is such a thing as inspiring rejections, Ryan! 🙂 Certainly much more fun and useful than the form letters.
Wow, I can’t believe that local press addressed you with “Dear author” after personalized communications like that. I guess I shouldn’t be too annoyed with the emails starting like that then.
The agents must know how much time, effort, and belief we put into our queries and correspondence. Quite funny that they showed “interest” again during the Twitter pitch. I wonder what was up with that? I have to think that the premise of your novel must have caught their attention and they are somewhat interested.
April 3, 2019 at 11:51
I do often feel guilty, but that’s because I’m a procrastinator and so I have many unfinished “jobs.” You have much to be proud of. You completed your memoir (even though you have some edits to complete… do we ever stop editing?) under challenging circumstances most writers don’t have. I imagine that, as much as you told yourself to prepare for them, the rejections can be discouraging. It’s nice that you are returning to a long-term sit at a home that you are familiar with. I’m sure it will give you the opportunity to settle in and decide what next steps work best for you. Most important, enjoy some down time… you deserve it!
April 4, 2019 at 16:50
Thank you so much for your thoughtful, understanding, cheerful, and encouraging comment, Janis. It’s like you can read my mind and know exactly what’s good for me. I am looking forward to be settled for a few weeks to work and “relax” from the road. What a great combination house sitting and road travel can be!
Haha. As I’m writing this, we are driving past patches of snow. What’s wrong with us? Every time we have a nicer day, we end up camping at a much higher elevation. Albuquerque will be pleasant temperature-wise, though.
April 3, 2019 at 12:01
Ha, I ALWAYS feel guilt for “goofing off”! But, I have to remind myself that my subconscious and my physical body sometimes no better what is really needed for them. And what a gorgeous break you took…loving the photos of Lake Havasu and the Vermillion Cliffs!
April 4, 2019 at 16:43
Have you ever been to the Vermilion Cliffs? That was such a nice surprise for us. Beautiful scenery in an area we’d never heard of before. As you know, this country has quite a few surprises. We had our own little surprise today at Monument Valley. But, that story is for another time. 🙂
Yes, let’s have our body and subconscious mind decide what’s best for us, instead of our brains. I’m all for that once in a while.
April 5, 2019 at 10:49
I wasn’t able to make it to the Vermillion Cliffs NP but I’m so glad you were able to see it! The landscape there is glorious with similar geology to Valley of Fire where I’ve been writing about.
😁 Camping and traveling always come with surprises, but yes…that region has more than its usual share of quirks. Take care of yourselves out there!
April 6, 2019 at 21:41
I hope you get to check out the Vermilion Cliffs one day. We are considering going back to that area in May. And, also to volunteer at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab. If we don’t pick up a stray dog before that! We actually had a sweet puppy hang out near the campsite we boondocked at in Najavo Nation recently. So many stray dogs there… 🙁
April 3, 2019 at 12:37
I wish I knew what advise to give, after submitting the 1st time around, I went away and did work on it and then re submitted all over again about a year later.
Have you looked who other people who have written memor’s are published with and then approach them? It’s all very different here in the UK so I am pretty much not going to be any use x
April 4, 2019 at 16:37
Hi Claire! Any more success after submitting your work the second time around?
Checking out and contacting publishers of similar memoirs as mine is a good idea and I might pursue that approach after I’m done with my agent search and haven’t found anyone. I actually contacted the agents of a few successful travel memoir writers (like Cheryl Strayed), but was declined. 🙂
Any help and suggestions are welcome, even from the UK. So, thank you! 🙂
April 3, 2019 at 13:04
Rejection is never fun. Especially given all of the love that you have put into your work. But as my father always says when I have a set back ‘what an opportunity, a harbinger of good things yet to come’. I do hope that ‘opportunity or harbinger’ is the right agent wanting to represent you but that you just haven’t connected yet. I do hope that you will chose option 1 or 2 before you go option 3.
I think that you nee to give this agent thing a bit more time before switching approaches.
I am glad to see you and Mark enjoyed a bit of ‘Roaming About’ though some amazing parts of the US. That ‘Wave’ in Arizona is particularly eye catching.
Goofing Off is part of my creative process and I highly recommend it.
Hugs from Brazil
April 4, 2019 at 15:02
Your dad is a positivist, Lisa! Now I know where you got that great trait from. 🙂 I’m long not giving up. You know me. I do believe the right agent is out there. Finding her/him is the tricky part. And, to do that, I guess I have to create about 67 more queries. That job is incredibly daunting, as it takes about half an hour each to put these queries together. And, that’s after researching more agents interested in memoir. We will see what happens, but I’d like to pursue the traditional route just a bit longer. Problem is that I do want this book published this year so I can move on to other things.
I love how you recommend “goofing off” and I’m glad to read that you’re good at it. It certainly feels different now that we can travel without the pressure of The Wirie and other jobs.
So proud of you and Fabio to make it all the way to Brazil! Enjoy that big and intriguing country. I’ll be curious to see whether you’ll be ready to leave when the time has come to continue, back to the Caribbean.
April 3, 2019 at 13:05
Don’t feel guilty about having fun. So sorry that you are at the rejection stage but it comes with the territory, sadly. The one rejection you shared was a good one. Hope you keep plugging along with this.
April 4, 2019 at 15:03
Thanks for the confidence and support, Natalie! I think I’m going to make it a fun sport of collecting as many rejections as possible. It will certainly be proof that I tried. 🙂
April 3, 2019 at 13:06
I think they say 100 because after that many it must hurt less. If only I could be numb enough to keep trying. Good luck with your submissions. I hope you have a better time of it. 🙂
Anna from elements of emaginette
April 4, 2019 at 15:06
Thanks, Anna. The rejections are part of the process. For everyone. So I’ll take it and keep trying. Maybe, one day, I’ll “hit” the right person. 🙂 With that many agents out there, it is hard to imagine how many writers must send queries out, for so many being rejected! Hey, it’s just another adventure.
April 3, 2019 at 13:29
Personally I enjoy taking time out as it helps keep my work fresh and I wouldn’t feel guilty Liesbet! It will be great to get your editing finished before submitting it to new agents – most will want to see more of the finished article and hopefully your house sit will help. Arizona and Utah look beautiful in the pictures and I’m looking forward to seeing more! 🙂💖 xxx
April 4, 2019 at 15:09
Arizona and Utah are incredible, Xenia! I can’t get enough of the impressive scenery and I’ve taken thousands of photos these last six weeks! I hope you manage to visit one day. I totally believe the highlights of the US are centered around these two states.
Yes, the house sit will be the perfect place to pursue more agents and more writing. And, many other things that are on our to-do lists. A break from the road will be as enjoyable as a break from the work. 🙂
April 3, 2019 at 13:46
Bestvof luck with the rest of your submissions. Looking forward to more on S Utah – we loved it.
April 4, 2019 at 15:11
Hi Anabel! Isn’t Utah one of the most amazing states in the US? The sites are indescribable; one really has to come visit in person to do them justice. I’m so glad you and John managed to experience this “foreign” and distinguished land.
April 3, 2019 at 13:55
You have a cheering squad here, if the comments are any indication. I posted a link to a rejection letter Ursula Le Guin received on Facebook. Maybe your readers here can related to it too:
http://www.ursulakleguin.com/Reject.html
My best ideas come when I’m doing something else. Think of it this way: When you are away from your computer, you are being recharged, filled with ZEST! 🙂
Enjoy your house-sit, Liesbet!
April 4, 2019 at 15:19
Hi Marian! Thanks for being a part of my cheering squad! With all this support from my readers (I love it!) I would do anything to not disappoint. I’ll check out the link you posted when my internet is less shaky. I’m attempting to reply to comments while on the road in Navajo Nation, AZ. No worries, Mark is driving. 🙂
I think my batteries are getting overcharged right now. Oh, the stories to tell, the photos to share, and the adventures we keep having… So much more writing material I collected. And, I’ve said it before and I’m saying it again: you are good with words. I love the ZEST remark. 🙂
April 7, 2019 at 11:47
This rejection letter is fantastic, Marian. I’ve printed it out to show my creative writing students. I’m a huge fan of Ursula Le Guin’s books. Just shows you how you have to be patient and find the agent/reader who appreciates what you offer in your writing…
April 7, 2019 at 14:44
Thanks for the link, Marian. Not the nicest rejection letter, but at least the publisher pointed out the parts he didn’t like. Then, you can ignore the “feedback” or learn from it. Having an agent who believes in you might make the rejection process a bit less daunting.
April 3, 2019 at 14:04
Actually no, I have no guilt when goofing off. You needed some fun.
Aim for those one hundred queries and then start looking at small presses. I know a few that publish memoirs.
April 4, 2019 at 15:21
That’s the spirit, Alex! We all need some fun once in a while and there is no reason to feel guilty about that I’ll keep plugging away at the queries, taking it from the expert. 🙂 Once I’m settled at the house sit, I’ll check out the resources you sent me.
April 3, 2019 at 14:04
Hi, Liesbet – Sometimes I believe that I invented guilt about goofing off. Four years into retirement, and this still plagues me.
I know that your publisher is out there. I look forward to reading ‘Plunge’ soon! 🙂
April 4, 2019 at 15:24
Hi Donna! I remember our conversations about (not) blogging in relation to the guilt feeling. Why do we do this, huh? I can totally relate to how it would feel in relationship to retirement as well. Not that I’m retired, but I am living a pretty amazing “out of the ordinary” life. So, when I don’t focus on work or writing for a while, it feels odd. I think you will get used to not feeling guilty as a retiree. It just takes some time. Hopefully not until you’re 65, though. 🙂
April 3, 2019 at 19:30
Liesbet, great photos! Just curious, have you asked yourself why you would want a publisher rather than to self-publish? What is your ultimate goal in ‘getting published’ rather than ‘publishing’? If someone else agreeing to publish your work is important to your process, then stick with it for sure. There is no right or wrong way.
April 4, 2019 at 15:43
Hi Janet! I agree there is no right or wrong way when it comes to publishing your book. Good question about me preferring the traditional route for now. Yes, I’ve thought hard and long about the process I’d like to follow. I’d like to see my book in a bookstore one day. Call it vanity or ambition or wanting to try it the hard way first, but I feel self-publishing will always be there if my first choice fails. Question is: when will my patience wear off? 🙂
April 4, 2019 at 18:41
I have always wanted to be a published author. I’ve self-published two books. I’m planning to self-publish a business book. I may use a small hybrid for two others – a novel and a book of reflections. And have a few children’s books I’d like to publish traditionally because I can’t afford to pay for illustrations. What I’ve realized is that marketing is primarily up to the author so why go through the trouble of agent – publisher – distribution, etc. BTW: You can get into bookstores even if self-published. Either way, good luck and enjoy the process!
April 4, 2019 at 19:32
Hi again Janet! Wow, you sure have a lot of books and ideas up your sleeve! And, you’ve been so productive with them all and the research. I think once you self-publish for the first book, most of the hard work is done and continuing down that path makes sense.
Yes, I’ve noticed marketing is mainly the author’s job, regardless. You have very valid points. I’m also hoping to put photos of our sailing journey in my memoir, so that might be a good reason to go traditional as well. Good to know bookstores might be a possibility when choosing the self-publishing route.
Thanks for the well-wishes. Not sure how much I will enjoy the process, though. 🙂
April 3, 2019 at 20:52
Taking time away from work allows other necessary things to happen, I believe. Relax and enjoy! You’ll have plenty of time in NM for more of the nitty gritty.
April 4, 2019 at 15:45
Wise words, Lexie! I’m sure you agree that travel is a necessary thing to happen. 🙂 And, yes, we are enjoying our time on the road. Such amazing scenery we’ve been hiking and camping in. I can’t wait to share most of it!
April 3, 2019 at 23:44
Wow! Love the photos, Liesbet.
Reading and categorizing rejection letters and updating your “agent chart” are important tasks that form part of the writing journey.
Remember that letting ideas ‘percolate’ while you “goof off” is also important in the bigger scheme of things. Even when you’re not physically writing, the ideas are simmering, arranging and re-arranging, shaping and forming in your subconscious, so that when you DO put fingers to keyboard, the words and sentences reveal themselves.
So enjoy time away from the keyboard!
April 4, 2019 at 15:50
Hi Michelle! I’m glad you like the photos.
Thank you for swinging by and sharing your wise words in the comments. Time away from the keyboard is important and I totally agree that letting ideas percolate (such a nice way of describing this process!) is part of the writing scheme. As a matter of fact, when I try to not write for a while, it becomes difficult after a few days, as I still “write” in my head and ideas keep piling up. It’s extremely hard to cut everything writing-related completely off. But, I guess that’s what makes us writers, right? 🙂
April 4, 2019 at 02:47
The road to publication sounds like a nightmare, but it will be worth it in the end. Nothing to lose in just keep trying for a bit longer, trying to reach more publishers. But there is always the self publishing route there just in case. Either way just never stop trying, perseverance is key to success. Taking a break can be very invigorating 😄
April 4, 2019 at 16:01
Thanks for the encouragement and supportive comment, Gilda! I’m not one to easily give up and, you’re right, putting a lot of work in something is usually worth it in the end. If nothing else, all our efforts are part of a learning process. Our break has been extremely invigorating. I hope to share some of the stories and many amazing photos with you soon!
April 4, 2019 at 12:27
What amazing scenery, Liesbet! Wow. Yes, I’m terribly hard on myself when I take time off. It’s one of the things I want to do more is to take time to smell the roses. It sounds like you’re doing all the right things with the querying and submitting and so on. It’s really a matter of perseverance.
April 4, 2019 at 16:07
Hi Yvette! Welcome to Roaming About and thank you for leaving a thoughtful comment.
Is “taking time to smell the roses” part of your 2019 resolutions? 🙂 Isn’t it weird how we have such a hard time taking off from work? We must be perfectionists or A personalities. Or something. That “need” of productivity and responsibility is hard to shake. But, I think it’s also what gives us perseverance.
Cheers to taking a break and smelling the roses once in a while!
April 5, 2019 at 14:06
I enjoyed reading this, Liesbet, and winced when I read the ‘standard’ form rejection letter. Ugh. I guess they get so many requests that they need to be so impersonal, but… really? It’s true, 33 rejections aren’t much. But many of us have chosen to spend our time with hired editors, (free) beta readers, and reading up on self-publishing instead of writing to agents. I had two of my books accepted by agents, but in the end, I knew I’d be a better agent (to me) than one who doesn’t have the passion I have for my books. Something to consider….
Oh, and yes, I feel terribly guilty when I take time off from my writing. To rationalize, I consider reading part of becoming a better writer. ;-0
April 6, 2019 at 21:50
Reading IS a part of becoming a better writer, Pam. Or, it can be research. Either way, you ALWAYS learn something from reading any book. Even the crappy ones, where typos stare at you and you HAVE to correct them. 🙂
I hear you about the self-publishing route. I have often wondered whether my time wouldn’t be or wouldn’t have been better spent pursuing that route. Yet, there is that nagging feeling to try it the other way first. And, knowing myself, I would have always questioned “what if” if I wouldn’t have tried the traditional route first. Plus, putting money out upfront for all the editors and services needed is above our budget right now as well.
Thanks for the insights into the matter, Pam!
April 7, 2019 at 11:42
I think you’re doing the right thing – approaching agents first. No harm, no foul. And in the meantime (my little bit of advice) read all you can about self-publishing. It’s possible to do so without spending a lot of money via Amazon’s Create Space. xo
April 7, 2019 at 14:38
Will do, Pam. Doing some research about self-publishing is on Mark’s to-do list during our current house sit. 🙂
April 5, 2019 at 16:30
Sorry to read about the rejections, Liesbet but at least you took time off and visited those amazing areas in Arizona (so jealous). Remember, all that leisure time is there to refresh and re-energize you! Enjoy Albuquerque and all the amenities. My blogging takes up some of my dedicated writing time, so I have to make more if I ever want to get my fitness book written!
April 6, 2019 at 21:54
Hi Terri! Isn’t it incredibly difficult to combine all the blogging with writing a book, and life, and leisure time, and social time? Yep, a full-time job. 🙂 I never have time to read a book, because all that evening time goes into reading other blogs.
And, yes, you are so right: this break on the road (or is this the break – from the road?) has me roaring to jump into memoir mode again. Whenever I’ve caught up on my inbox and some other editing work.
April 6, 2019 at 00:34
It requires enormous discipline to work from home, Liesbet. I think you’ve managed it all very well and everyone deserves a holiday. What happens next? I guess more time and patience. good luck! 🙂 🙂
April 6, 2019 at 22:16
More time and patience are needed with my book for sure, Jo. But, now that we are back in a house for a few weeks, I can at least “feel” that I’m making progress again. Well, once Monday rolls around and the three dogs are taken care of. And, when we are settled in. And, when my other editing job is finished. Plus, a few blog posts. But, at some point next week, I will pick up the memoir again. 🙂
April 6, 2019 at 13:48
Receiving rejections never gets easier. For me, writing is fun, and revising is interesting, but I dread the process of seeking an agent and publisher.
Stick with it! Your story will be of interest to readers, and persisting with the publication process is the way forward.
Jude
April 7, 2019 at 12:06
Liesbet, yours is a story that needs to be told. You know what you’re doing. Do keep trying with traditional publishers. I think 33 agents are a small section of the sea. Also, small presses sound like an excellent option for this story, too. As always, your life sounds so peaceful and exciting, roaming about. I love the photos. We’ve visited a few of these western places while camping with five kids. All the best to you and Mark.
April 7, 2019 at 14:40
Hi Victoria! Thank you for your kind words and your continued support! I’ll keep plugging away at the agents and research a few small presses the coming weeks. Have wonderful Sunday!
April 7, 2019 at 17:34
I greatly admire you, Liesbet. Especially your perseverance and work ethic. Even though you expect rejections, they can be difficult to receive, especially without any feedback. I know you will be successful!
Your “doing nothing” is literally breath…..taking. You may have heard how the space in between is also important to creativity and mental health.
Your photos are amazing! “The Wave” could easily be placed on someone’s wall.
April 8, 2019 at 21:53
Thanks for being such a positive and supportive reader, Erica. I appreciate your thoughtful and cheerful input! By the way, I’m saving the best “Wave” photos for last. 🙂
April 7, 2019 at 17:41
Hi Liesbet
Your photographs are beautiful. Are you using your phone or a wonderful camera?
As for your rejection letters, your proposal and book are out there in the universe, the agents you’ve contacted know other agents and have friends in publishing, who knows someone may pass it on.
Enjoy the process
Laura
April 8, 2019 at 21:58
Thanks for the encouragement in regards to finding an agent, Laura. Connections sure are important. I recently met another writer out of the blue and she mentioned another agent to me. I’ll wrote her shortly and … one more chance. 🙂
I don’t have a phone (and don’t want one). I’m still using my amazing Sony camera (despite its hiccups), which I bought in 2014. It has a big sensor, but a compact size. Because of all the traveling I’ve done in my life, I have tens of thousands of photos. Hard to find something back!
April 8, 2019 at 15:55
You’re in beautiful landscape. Take it all in. Breathe, relax. Everything comes in its time – even if it’s not the answer you thought you needed to hear. 🙂
April 8, 2019 at 22:24
Thank you, my wise friend. I always say “There’s a time for everything” as well. As long as my patience can handle it. 🙂 Right now, it’s time to enjoy the comforts of a house and dig into my book again!
April 9, 2019 at 16:09
Hi Liesbet,
It would be easy for me to say you should not feel guilty about enjoying your travels and time off from all of your hard work, but I am cut from the same cloth. We have just gotten back from our 2 weeks on the sailboat, and while I had adequate power and internet access, I was just so “in the moment” and enjoying it I simply did not WANT to blog, write, or post. So I didn’t. Yet, I did feel guilty. In fact, I feel guilty at this moment as I have not written a blog post in over a week. (And my numbers reflect it…). But I am rationalizing that we need these times to readjust and reflect and will be better for it in the end.
April 10, 2019 at 15:42
H Nancy! I’m glad you enjoyed your sailing trip and could live in the moment. Taking a break from the internet is bliss, as long as we allow ourselves to do so without guilt. It’s interesting how – over a relatively short amount of time – internet (and everything that depends on it) has become such an important part of our lives. I often say that I can’t wait for the moment where I don’t have to check my emails daily in regards to work opportunities, but then again, it would feel like a detox to do so, regardless. 🙂
The thing with blogging is that we can do it on our own schedules, usually. I did manage to get over the fact that some of my past blogs had to be written and posted on a day other than Wednesdays or one reason or another. We are flexible, right? Oh, how do your numbers reflect it when don’t blog for a week? It seems that people will come back to your blog once you post again, no? I’m quite glad I never check the numbers. 🙂
And yes, we do need our time off from blogging – and other – pursuits to be refreshed. My problem is that I’ve been gathering a lot of “material” lately and there is no way I can share it all…
April 11, 2019 at 01:09
Gorgeous photos! I think if you have an opportunity to take a break like that, do it. Few people wish they’d worked more when they get to the end of their lives.
I was a member of the 100 Rejection club, but I changed it to 100 Submissions. For one, it’s more positive, and two, submitting my work 100 times is something I can control. You can’t count on hearing back from agents these days, let alone getting a rejection. So if I didn’t hear back, did I count that as a rejection? Much easier to go with submissions.
Getting an agent is a long process for all but a lucky few. If you’re in a hurry to see your memoir on the shelves, virtual or otherwise, traditional publishing with the big houses is not the way to go. Even when you have an agent, and that agent has managed to sell your book (never a given), it will still be a year or more after that before your book is published.
April 11, 2019 at 15:06
You know, JH, I should really start listening to you. You’re the expert! When I talked in this blog post about that friend telling me to submit to more than 30 agents and how the process would take ages, I was actually referring to you. 🙂 Thank you for all your advice. I guess I better collect more “submissions”. I’m sure that if anyone is interested, I WILL hear about it. The amount of rejections, really, doesn’t count for anything.
Another year to actual publication – at least – after a publisher might be interested in my manuscript, eh? Crazy. With all the advantages in self-publishing, I wonder why so many authors still try it the traditional way. You’d think it’s less desirable in general and that the competition is therefore less tough. Yet, agents are as busy and selective as ever. Knowing how many agents are out there, can you believe how many more writers there are????
April 24, 2019 at 00:02
Well, being an “expert” means my take isn’t always positive, so I understand it can be hard to swallow. But anyone with experience in the traditional publishing arena will tell you it’s as speedy as molasses on a tortoise (with the exception being selected smaller presses).
There’s still a mark of legitimacy to having a traditionally published book, in part because it’s so damn hard to find that right person at the right place during the right time with the right project. But, honestly, put out a high-quality, self-published product and no reader will know the difference. For all people’s bitching about the terrible quality of indie books, I’m willing to bet they read and loved several without ever knowing they were indie. The key is spending money on editing, cover design, and formatting.
So, the reason why a lot of people still opt for trad publishers is that indie publishing costs quite a bit to do well. Not all writers have the time or desire to become their own publishing company. The marketing and advertising take time to learn, but you need to learn them in order to do well.
Whichever road you decide to take, I’ll happily support you.
April 25, 2019 at 15:34
Having experience means knowing the ins and outs of a lifestyle/job/hobby/career, the pros and cons. I really value your knowledge and input, JH. It reminds me of us having been cruisers/sailors for eight years and wanting to share the pros and cons about that lifestyle, while newbies only want to hear the good stuff. 🙂
You’re right about well-produced self-published books being similar to “pressed” books. I wouldn’t want mine any other way, if I self-publish. And, yes, the “key is spending money on editing, cover design, and formatting.” The lack of that money (and the “vanity” level) is one of the reasons I am pursuing the traditional route for now.
As always, thanks for your support!!