Rewrite...again

Yes, the manuscript is being read, as we speak, by staggeringly famous publishers. And yet, I'm still editing.

I'm not waiting to hear about how it's not ready. I'm fixing it now!

Anyway, it'll give me something to do while I wait for their feedback. Yes, that's all I'm expecting at this point. I hadn't looked at the book since we sent it out a month ago and now that I'm skimming it, I see so many weak spots and characters. Why would any of them take it in this condition?

Much to do.

Mostly it's character issues. Pacing can be adjusted with editor-help. Characters are purely an author's problem. If I can't write an interesting character, I'm doomed.

So back to the drawing board. Two of the main characters need major overhauls and two of the minor ones need tightening. Fortunately, I know what I want to do with them.

Now I just have to go and do it!

The Agent

My agent, Stan, isn't the most experienced, but I knew that when I signed on with him. He doesn't live in New York and he hasn't been doing this his whole life.

So why did I want him as my agent?

Because he loves my book. LOVES it. He's passionate about it and believes that it will be HUGE!

It doesn't matter that he's probably wrong. Or that it may be years before my book finds a publisher.

I have an agent who's willing to fight for your right to read it.

Stan is great and I will be a published author because he'll get me there.

Find an agent who loves your work! This is the most important qualification they can have!

The Abyss of Rejection

My first manuscript was sent out on November 16 to six publishers. Six TOP publishers. When I found out which six wanted to see it, I danced around the living room with my two boys. They had no idea why we were dancing, but they joyfully joined in.

About a week ago, I got my first rejection. It's not important who they were--what's important was my reaction.

Was I expecting rejections? Yes.
Did I know most first time authors get many (even hundreds of) rejections before they are accepted? Yes.
Did I do the research and realize this publisher wasn't likely to want my book anyway? Yes.
Were they polite and give constructive criticism? Yes.

Does any of this make me feel better? No.

Well, I should say not at first. After the rejection sank in and I pulled myself out of the dark abyss of "I'm a terrible writer and I'll never try THAT again"--yes, the facts made me feel better.

I have read about many experienced and successful authors' rejection-agony. Their only advice? Keep writing.

So, after I learned that even Jane Austen and Shakespeare had harsh (and mistaken) critics, I pulled out my next manuscript and got back to work. I'm still aching and I'm utterly terrified to find out what the other five publishers think of my novel, but I'm still writing.

I only hope that the next five rejection letters are gentle and helpful, though I recognize that they're all going to send me back into that depressing abyss. I'll get out of it again and again, because I love what I do.

My first novel may not be very good yet. But, the more I write the better I'll get.

So, onward and upward!