I have forty-five minutes before
I have to leave for work so pardon typo’s and other asshole mistakes because I want
to post this NOW.
Resurrection is an odd word,
depending on what is being resurrected, Christ, yeah we all get that, there’s
relationships, jobs, and attempting again that which has been at times
considered a failure.
Seven years ago I wrote a book; a
first book. Like most first attempts at
novel writing a lot of me is in there, not directly, but as something to draw
upon.
Early on I queried that novel, and
early on it was rejected, and should have been. The book was crap, the story wasn’t.
On the shelf it went.
Then something magical happened
and again out of the ashes it rose, rewritten a few more times, queried often
and again...back on the shelf. A third time I took it down off the shelf and
handed it around to anyone who would read it and I was brought to my knees
weeping by the positive responses, but they weren’t pros, they were readers; query,
cry, on the shelf.
Seven years and I have decided I’m
going to resurrect and try again until someone; anyone with the gatekeeper’s power
will have at it.
An on-line writer friend
recommended I read something about structure, (thank you D) and what I
discovered is that by chance my novel has the characters, elements, structure
and the story, which according to the experts are the fundamentals of a
successful novel. Who would have thought I did it by chance?
Okay so this in MY opinion. I get
that. But I’m running out of shelf space. My fire is built and as the smoke
billows, my bird has spread her wings and is flying again.
When do you give up?
When do you give up?
Remember a Phoenix arises out of the ashes and is reborn. So be your novel.
ReplyDeleteHey Cook, From your mouth to God's ear. Ya know I think I've said that to you before.
ReplyDeleteHow many times was JK Rowling turned down before someone took a hit at Harry Potter? It was double digits.
ReplyDeleteI know Jennine.
ReplyDeleteKathryn Stockett's HELP was 60 times. My problem is that I queried unbelievably too soon, then way too soon, then too soon. I've gone through a lot of agents and because I'm thinking it's finally ready, and I'm going from too soon to now, I hope I haven't used up my chances.
I wouldn't think so. With the changes you made, it will be like a new piece to them!
DeleteYour book will get there...and the other thing to keep in mind is this...your own words - you can't win if you don't play. Keep playing.
ReplyDeleteI buy my ticket every time I hit send.
Delete