Encouraging post, Wendy, Your honesty and Tock's fine examples made me feel encouraged, not so alone with the prospect of querying, especially. My favorite image was of Tock staring at the stick in the water, mustering his courage to take the leap. I also loved your description of the joys of rereading/editing a finished manuscript. It is a great way to gain a sense of work accomplished, something to be proud of. Something no one can take away from you.
Yes, querying is life-sucking, especially when the odds are so abysmal. And it takes so many (fruitless) hours, hours that could be spent on writing. But that writing will never get out there without querying. At least Tock has learned to get that stick! Hope we all do!
Oh yeah...The Query...I actually hate that word. I mean the word itself is just laborious to say. I love, love, love to edit and like you, find it exciting to find the places the story needs me to do something to it to make it sing. Hmmm...what would be a better word besides, "Query?" No idea.
Great post, Wendy. I think all new insecure writers should read it. As a nonfiction writer these stages aren’t as bad for me but the fear of boring the reader with “facts “ can be strong. Or ‘am I explaining it well?’
Thanks so much, Dorothy! Yes, I think every genre has its challenges - though you're doing a great job at keeping your NF entertaining with just enough in the way of facts that we always learn something.
Wendy - so nice to see you are back in write-mode. I've got about 60% of 'book 1' in the bag, but I've been in that mode for a few months, but hoping to dive back in soon. The 'book 2 and book 3' of the trilogy have a scope/time line figured out, but I can't touch them until I see where 'book 1' ends. I have not personal tales for you about the query process. I'm planning to skip it and publish it myself; I've explored and try to grasp the differences between 'self-publishing', 'independent publishing' and 'laying my life as I know it at the feet of the Amazon machine'. If you have some parts of what you are working on that you'd like comments on, please send to me directly - I'd be honoured to help if I can in any way. Cheers, Mark
Mark, you are wise to skip the querying! It's an arduous process that is very hard on the ego. I wish you the best on your self/independent publishing journey. And thanks for the kind offer to critique!
You’re right. We’ve all felt it. We’re not artists if we haven’t. I’ve obsessed over the query letter as a form of procrastination. I almost prefer no response over a rejection letter.
I think I may be with you in liking the no response better. It lets me down gently, and isn't quite so brutal as reading yet another "not quite right for me" form letter.
Lovely writing here as usual. I adore the image of Tock staring out at his stick, and finally getting the corsage to go after it. He is a good role model for all of us.
That was his kelpie blood! He stayed a respectful distance away. He also still tries to herd the skunk, and also keeps his distance, but the skunk is pretty fed up with it all, and tries to spray him. Ozzie gets the spray drift, so he doesn't smell much. 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Encouraging post, Wendy, Your honesty and Tock's fine examples made me feel encouraged, not so alone with the prospect of querying, especially. My favorite image was of Tock staring at the stick in the water, mustering his courage to take the leap. I also loved your description of the joys of rereading/editing a finished manuscript. It is a great way to gain a sense of work accomplished, something to be proud of. Something no one can take away from you.
Let's take that leap together, Janet! It really does require a lot of courage.
Yes, querying is life-sucking, especially when the odds are so abysmal. And it takes so many (fruitless) hours, hours that could be spent on writing. But that writing will never get out there without querying. At least Tock has learned to get that stick! Hope we all do!
Yes! Let's take the plunge for those sticks! Once I get hold of mine, I'm never letting go.
Oh yeah...The Query...I actually hate that word. I mean the word itself is just laborious to say. I love, love, love to edit and like you, find it exciting to find the places the story needs me to do something to it to make it sing. Hmmm...what would be a better word besides, "Query?" No idea.
That's a great question, Mary. We need a better word!
Great post, Wendy. I think all new insecure writers should read it. As a nonfiction writer these stages aren’t as bad for me but the fear of boring the reader with “facts “ can be strong. Or ‘am I explaining it well?’
Thanks so much, Dorothy! Yes, I think every genre has its challenges - though you're doing a great job at keeping your NF entertaining with just enough in the way of facts that we always learn something.
Wendy - so nice to see you are back in write-mode. I've got about 60% of 'book 1' in the bag, but I've been in that mode for a few months, but hoping to dive back in soon. The 'book 2 and book 3' of the trilogy have a scope/time line figured out, but I can't touch them until I see where 'book 1' ends. I have not personal tales for you about the query process. I'm planning to skip it and publish it myself; I've explored and try to grasp the differences between 'self-publishing', 'independent publishing' and 'laying my life as I know it at the feet of the Amazon machine'. If you have some parts of what you are working on that you'd like comments on, please send to me directly - I'd be honoured to help if I can in any way. Cheers, Mark
Mark, you are wise to skip the querying! It's an arduous process that is very hard on the ego. I wish you the best on your self/independent publishing journey. And thanks for the kind offer to critique!
You’re right. We’ve all felt it. We’re not artists if we haven’t. I’ve obsessed over the query letter as a form of procrastination. I almost prefer no response over a rejection letter.
Tock is always there to let us know it’s ok.
I think I may be with you in liking the no response better. It lets me down gently, and isn't quite so brutal as reading yet another "not quite right for me" form letter.
Lovely writing here as usual. I adore the image of Tock staring out at his stick, and finally getting the corsage to go after it. He is a good role model for all of us.
I think little Ozzie may be more courageous than Tock - still remember how you described him running after those cattle!
That was his kelpie blood! He stayed a respectful distance away. He also still tries to herd the skunk, and also keeps his distance, but the skunk is pretty fed up with it all, and tries to spray him. Ozzie gets the spray drift, so he doesn't smell much. 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Poor Tock - and what a scare! And what a great metaphor for the querying process. Gotta do it even when we hate it.
Yep, it's a bitter pill to swallow, but it has to be done!