'I write to explore who I am and the world around me. The day-to-day act of discovering characters and plot challenges me like no other creative endeavor and gives me deep satisfaction. Writing is essential to my well-being'. And amen to that!
I’m in the querying trenches so needed to hear these words today. Thank you. 🤩 Got two MS requests from top agents early on (who both passed but gave lovely feedback) but now lots of nos! 🫶🏻🤞🏻 but I write because I love it, too.
I needed this so much today! Have been in that awful vague funk from the rejection/indifference vortex that what can’t help but feel when querying isn’t going our way… this wise perspective will help in resetting my path forward. Thanks so much for writing this. And Happy Thanksgiving to you 🌼❤️!
Thanks for this timely reminder, Joanna. I'm also in the Q-trench at the moment. I'll add another tip that's been helpful. Text a friend! When the NOs come rolling in, I share my tally with a writer friend in the trench next to me and she does the same. Commiseration helps!
Yes! I feel like going through it together helps us in so many ways - offering a deep source of empathy, having an accountability partner, and depersonalizing the hits. 💕
Great point about Process vs. Outcome Goals. I just started querying this week. I’ve already started my next novel and feel a tug between the two as far as time and energy. So, this will help me as I prioritize. Thank you!
Thank you for writing this! For me, I write because I love seeing stories come to life on the page. Cliche, I know, but from developing to choose words that convey what I have in my head to the page is fantastic.
As for my goals. Well, if the querying for my current work goes the way I hope, I want to have a contract sometime in the early new year. Regardless, I want to have my new work finished by March, and the edits done by May. And if I have to be, I’ll be on the query road again.
'I write to explore who I am and the world around me. The day-to-day act of discovering characters and plot challenges me like no other creative endeavor and gives me deep satisfaction. Writing is essential to my well-being'. And amen to that!
I’m in the querying trenches so needed to hear these words today. Thank you. 🤩 Got two MS requests from top agents early on (who both passed but gave lovely feedback) but now lots of nos! 🫶🏻🤞🏻 but I write because I love it, too.
Hug and high five on this crazy adventure. Do you have a process goal like querying a certain amount each month?
I just sort of keep going! 🤣 but I have a detailed spreadsheet. 🙈🤪 maybe one eventually will say yes 🤞🏻
Your persistence is gold. Feels good to not be alone in the adventure. 💕
Thanks for writing about your journey and 🙏🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻
I needed this so much today! Have been in that awful vague funk from the rejection/indifference vortex that what can’t help but feel when querying isn’t going our way… this wise perspective will help in resetting my path forward. Thanks so much for writing this. And Happy Thanksgiving to you 🌼❤️!
The emotional journey is no joke. You are not alone. Let's take as much ownership of our worth and power as we can on this ride. 💕
Thanks for this timely reminder, Joanna. I'm also in the Q-trench at the moment. I'll add another tip that's been helpful. Text a friend! When the NOs come rolling in, I share my tally with a writer friend in the trench next to me and she does the same. Commiseration helps!
Yes! I feel like going through it together helps us in so many ways - offering a deep source of empathy, having an accountability partner, and depersonalizing the hits. 💕
Love the rethinking of goals/outcomes. ⭐️
Great point about Process vs. Outcome Goals. I just started querying this week. I’ve already started my next novel and feel a tug between the two as far as time and energy. So, this will help me as I prioritize. Thank you!
This is a topic near & dear--thanks for writing this post.
P.S. I'm reading The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny and loving it. Thanks for helping it rise to the top of my TBR :)
Oh! That's fabulous news--it, along with The Correspondent and Buckeye are on the top of my list. So many books....so little time......
Yes, The Correspondent. We should book club that one!
Yes!! That’s an excellent idea-and her story-two decades of rejections before selling this book-is inspiring (and on point!)
I thought the same thing. I also love how no one expected this book to break out. It's such a demonstration of good art finding a way.
We're in this together. 💕
Thank you for writing this! For me, I write because I love seeing stories come to life on the page. Cliche, I know, but from developing to choose words that convey what I have in my head to the page is fantastic.
As for my goals. Well, if the querying for my current work goes the way I hope, I want to have a contract sometime in the early new year. Regardless, I want to have my new work finished by March, and the edits done by May. And if I have to be, I’ll be on the query road again.
I love that you are already working on what's next. Keeping your creativity purring. 😻