Waiting.
When you're submitting anything; manuscript, short story, poems...anything, there is a waiting period. Some agents get back to you in under twenty minutes. Some competitions say "Winners announced in November". Some places that say "Winners announced X-Month" will get pushed back to "Z-Month". All I know is that it's a huge waiting game of hope, and fear, and anxiety, and nervousness when opening my e-mail. All the time I'm scared. But it's the good kind. I think.
Outside of that, if you get a request for a manuscript, you'll wait to hear back (most agents that I've read up on say -full- manuscript can take 4-8 weeks, sometimes longer). If you land an agent, you'll wait while they pitch for you. If you land a publisher, you'll wait for for your book to be published. (I know an author who waited 18 months for her novel to get published.)
Otherwise, if your submissions consist of literary magazines or contests you'll wait to hear back for the winner. Sometimes they move in advancements for rounds (in example: "Advance to round two" "Advance to round 50"). Even if you get accepted or win, chances are you'll be waiting for the publication.
So, if you're a writer and trying to get published, find things to do while you wait. I vote, write more. I hear it's the best way to fend off writer's block.
:)
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Thursday, April 28, 2011
MIA
Well hello there. I've been kinda MIA for a bit, and I apologize. There have been things good and bad that have been going on in my life, but I don't want to be too "woe is me" so I'll share some goodness:
1) I went to see Silverstein in concert. If you don't know this band and like lyrics, and language, and powerful words...look them up. They are a Screamo band, but if you can look passed that and listen to Shane Told's voice...it's amazing. Another reason why Silverstein rocks, is because Shane is also their screamer. He's able to turn his voice into something so raw and ugly, and then something so simple and (honestly) beautiful, I stand in awe.
2) I got some awesome birthday presents yesterday and a couple of days before from my good friend, Pat. He got me "Now Write" books for both creative nonfiction, and fiction. This is amazing, and once I move out of my bug infested house, I cannot wait to sit down with these and knock out some writing exercises. (Especially because I've been so angry recently it's given me another bout of writer's block. Ugh)
3) It has officially been a week since I submitted my manuscript. And I haven't gotten rejected yet. Although, I did receive another rejection the other day from an agent...it was a form letter but I couldn't stop laughing because it was the most friendly form rejection in the entire world (which included a link to other agents to possibly submit to). I love the literary world.
4) A few days before all of this, I received an e-mail from James Frey thanking me for my support of him and his writing. It was very nice, and made my night.
1) I went to see Silverstein in concert. If you don't know this band and like lyrics, and language, and powerful words...look them up. They are a Screamo band, but if you can look passed that and listen to Shane Told's voice...it's amazing. Another reason why Silverstein rocks, is because Shane is also their screamer. He's able to turn his voice into something so raw and ugly, and then something so simple and (honestly) beautiful, I stand in awe.
 |
| Easily One Of The Best Moments Of My Life This Is Shane Told |
3) It has officially been a week since I submitted my manuscript. And I haven't gotten rejected yet. Although, I did receive another rejection the other day from an agent...it was a form letter but I couldn't stop laughing because it was the most friendly form rejection in the entire world (which included a link to other agents to possibly submit to). I love the literary world.
4) A few days before all of this, I received an e-mail from James Frey thanking me for my support of him and his writing. It was very nice, and made my night.
Monday, April 25, 2011
Social Networking
Alright, I've sold out and obtained a Twitter (follow me! Lynne Schmidt :) ). And it turns out, it's much more fun than I thought it'd be....
Social networking is huge in the literary industry. It's why we have conferences, and book signings, and book clubs, and critique groups (the list goes on).
You can find many agents on Twitter, or some have Facebook pages or even blogs. It's amazing how open and honest and HELPFUL these people are. They'll tell you what they're looking for, what they're NOT looking for, what they'd LOVE to see. Some more insightful blog posts have actually explained to me why and how manuscripts are chosen. Some agents (See FinePrint Literary) even go out of their way to critque your pages for you, or even your query letter (have you heard of QueryShark?). Some give feedback, some are WAYY too busy. But in reality, all agents do the best job that they are able to do, and as a writer, that's something for us to keep in mind. Don't be offended by form letters, rejoyce in rejections that give reasons why you're rejected.
Moral of the story is: if you're trying to get published and you're not doing your research, you should be. There is a lot out there that can help.
Social networking is huge in the literary industry. It's why we have conferences, and book signings, and book clubs, and critique groups (the list goes on).
You can find many agents on Twitter, or some have Facebook pages or even blogs. It's amazing how open and honest and HELPFUL these people are. They'll tell you what they're looking for, what they're NOT looking for, what they'd LOVE to see. Some more insightful blog posts have actually explained to me why and how manuscripts are chosen. Some agents (See FinePrint Literary) even go out of their way to critque your pages for you, or even your query letter (have you heard of QueryShark?). Some give feedback, some are WAYY too busy. But in reality, all agents do the best job that they are able to do, and as a writer, that's something for us to keep in mind. Don't be offended by form letters, rejoyce in rejections that give reasons why you're rejected.
Moral of the story is: if you're trying to get published and you're not doing your research, you should be. There is a lot out there that can help.
Friday, April 22, 2011
What Is Your Novel About?
This question is one of the hardest questions for me to answer. For a couple of reasons:
1) I feel like the biggest nerd when I talk about my novels--Confessions of an Immortal heart deals with an immortal girl (woman?), most people chuckle and say "Not another Twilight". Don't worry, it's not. When I actually say what it's about, they're usually a little more interested:
(This is my query letter)
Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet tells the story of a love so intense, the two youths commit suicide rather than facing the rest of their lives without each other. In Twilight, Edward thinks Bella has died and chooses to end his existence rather than spend eternity without her. Both stories give the ideal ending in that both lovers are together again. But what happens when one half of the equation is permanently missing? Can true love really last forever, or will holding on just destroy you?
In Confessions of an Immortal Heart, the reader finds that the love interest has been murdered and all the narrator wants, is to die as well. However, due to some defect she can't figure out, she doesn't get hurt and she just won't die. The story revolves around the immortal narrator's inability to cope with her loss, lamenting all the times she should have stepped in to save her mortal's life. Each chapter gives insight to the development of their life together; when she comes home to find a him standing before her, her trying to kill him, their first kiss, the time he arrives after being attacked, up to the 'accident' that claims his life, and then her living in the Godforsaken world without him. The lack of names plays into the ending of Confessions of an Immortal Heart, because without him she's lost her identity.
Then...Igniting a Firestarter...
Deals with different covens and things like that, so I feel like a geek again. But it's cool because it's relate-able to real people, and people I've met every day....just exaggerated :) (I'm not posting this query letter because it doesn't quite rock yet).
2) It's hard to sum up your (my) entire novel in like 2 seconds and make it sound like it's the best thing since sliced bread. I've noticed if I talk too long people's eyes start to glaze over and I try to talk faster to say "But oh no!! They're in love, and it's an awesome story!!" Firstly, it is an awesome story (or so I think). Secondly, I need to get to the point already.
Outside of that...
I need to start preparing for the PNWA conference (which...I got my card in the mail yesterday confirming the fact I am a member :) ). But, there will be rapid fire rounds (I have 3 minutes to talk about either novel)...and I need to talk fast and coherently.
Even at first a query letter is hard because I'm too involved with the sub plots and while I think they're important the person reading about them...may not.
The writing life is hard....:)
1) I feel like the biggest nerd when I talk about my novels--Confessions of an Immortal heart deals with an immortal girl (woman?), most people chuckle and say "Not another Twilight". Don't worry, it's not. When I actually say what it's about, they're usually a little more interested:
(This is my query letter)
Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet tells the story of a love so intense, the two youths commit suicide rather than facing the rest of their lives without each other. In Twilight, Edward thinks Bella has died and chooses to end his existence rather than spend eternity without her. Both stories give the ideal ending in that both lovers are together again. But what happens when one half of the equation is permanently missing? Can true love really last forever, or will holding on just destroy you?
In Confessions of an Immortal Heart, the reader finds that the love interest has been murdered and all the narrator wants, is to die as well. However, due to some defect she can't figure out, she doesn't get hurt and she just won't die. The story revolves around the immortal narrator's inability to cope with her loss, lamenting all the times she should have stepped in to save her mortal's life. Each chapter gives insight to the development of their life together; when she comes home to find a him standing before her, her trying to kill him, their first kiss, the time he arrives after being attacked, up to the 'accident' that claims his life, and then her living in the Godforsaken world without him. The lack of names plays into the ending of Confessions of an Immortal Heart, because without him she's lost her identity.
Then...Igniting a Firestarter...
Deals with different covens and things like that, so I feel like a geek again. But it's cool because it's relate-able to real people, and people I've met every day....just exaggerated :) (I'm not posting this query letter because it doesn't quite rock yet).
2) It's hard to sum up your (my) entire novel in like 2 seconds and make it sound like it's the best thing since sliced bread. I've noticed if I talk too long people's eyes start to glaze over and I try to talk faster to say "But oh no!! They're in love, and it's an awesome story!!" Firstly, it is an awesome story (or so I think). Secondly, I need to get to the point already.
Outside of that...
I need to start preparing for the PNWA conference (which...I got my card in the mail yesterday confirming the fact I am a member :) ). But, there will be rapid fire rounds (I have 3 minutes to talk about either novel)...and I need to talk fast and coherently.
Even at first a query letter is hard because I'm too involved with the sub plots and while I think they're important the person reading about them...may not.
The writing life is hard....:)
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
On Bravery
I'm a coward. I don't like confrontation, I don't like to say things I know I'll get ostracized for. Submissions kill me because I have to develop thick skin so the rejections don't hurt. And they don't anymore, thankfully.
Yet--I've had a request for a full manuscript. Which I am minutes away from submitting right now. Minutes. And I'm terrified. It's over 200 pages, and I have the urge to edit AGAIN but that would probably take another month...I'm trying to tell myself I trust my writing. I trust the people who edited for me. I'm trying to remind myself to breathe, be confident, believe in my story. After all, it's a love story. I'm a romantic. I love this story. It should work, right? The agent should love it, right?
But I am so scared. This novel is different because the main characters don't have names. It's constantly, "Me" or "I" or "him" or "he". No Wes, Pat, Chris, Laura, Elizabeth. What if the agent doesn't like it?
I'm constantly telling myself right now the "You miss 100% of the shots you don't take". This could be my shot. This could be everything I've ever wanted. It's so hard to breathe. I'm channeling Eminem saying, "So here I go, it's my shot, feet fail me not. This may be the only opportunity I got."
Breathe and push send. Breathe and push send.
Or....breathe and push post. Which is what I'll do now. Thanks for allowing me to share my anxiety.
Yet--I've had a request for a full manuscript. Which I am minutes away from submitting right now. Minutes. And I'm terrified. It's over 200 pages, and I have the urge to edit AGAIN but that would probably take another month...I'm trying to tell myself I trust my writing. I trust the people who edited for me. I'm trying to remind myself to breathe, be confident, believe in my story. After all, it's a love story. I'm a romantic. I love this story. It should work, right? The agent should love it, right?
But I am so scared. This novel is different because the main characters don't have names. It's constantly, "Me" or "I" or "him" or "he". No Wes, Pat, Chris, Laura, Elizabeth. What if the agent doesn't like it?
I'm constantly telling myself right now the "You miss 100% of the shots you don't take". This could be my shot. This could be everything I've ever wanted. It's so hard to breathe. I'm channeling Eminem saying, "So here I go, it's my shot, feet fail me not. This may be the only opportunity I got."
Breathe and push send. Breathe and push send.
Or....breathe and push post. Which is what I'll do now. Thanks for allowing me to share my anxiety.
Monday, April 18, 2011
Best Birthday Eve, Ever
 | |
| I am very excited :) |
Thanks so much for submitting. (Great, another rejection). Your query intrigues me, (Okay, but it's still not my thing, blah blah blah, rip off the band-aid already) so I’d love to take a look at your full manuscript (Wait...what???). I re-read this line a couple times while saying out loud on my sister's bed, "Oh my God, Oh my God...."
Please send it via Microsoft Word attachment at your earliest convenience. (And then I start screaming)
I look forward to hearing from you. (And screaming more. Followed rapidly by jumping up and down, clobbering my dog and telling him I love him, and choking on my lean pocket dinner, and screaming and trying to find a place where my cell phone gets signal).
Please send it via Microsoft Word attachment at your earliest convenience. (And then I start screaming)
I look forward to hearing from you. (And screaming more. Followed rapidly by jumping up and down, clobbering my dog and telling him I love him, and choking on my lean pocket dinner, and screaming and trying to find a place where my cell phone gets signal).
From this point, I ran in figure eights in my road, and called most everyone in my phone, while jumping and becoming aware that while I box every other day, I am still vastly out of shape....only one or two people actually answered, but that's okay.
This has been the best birthday eve, EVER.
Reality check real fast:
I am super excited. Beyond words flattered and excited. At the same time I've been watching agent's statistics and am well aware that while this is a step in the right direction, there is a HUGE chance I will still be rejected. Nonetheless, I am SOOOOOO happy tonight. Reality can sink in Wednesday. I think I'll enjoy my birthday tomorrow :)
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Books, Books, Books
I am a nerd. I love books. I have lists upon lists of which books I want to read, and which books I stare at every time I go to Target and just can't afford. Typically though, I don't buy new books (unless I get a B&N gift card), instead I go to Goodwill, or some other thrift store and get more bang for my buck.
There is a literacy program down here (Outer Banks of North Carolina) that has a book sale twice a year. And I mean sales. Usually I spent close to $50 on books. Yesterday, I spent $27. I got well over 50 books. 20 of them were hardcover. I bought books for myself, and my sister, and Patrick. I looked for books for Mike, but it's rare I'm able to find them (I don't read geek...which is what he craves).
Some books I got:
2-Eat. Pray. Love.
The Hours
White Oleander
The Guardian (Nick Sparks)
Marley and Me (for Laura)
Fallen
Lots, and lots more.
There was an excellent deal that was:
Get a paper bag. Fill it with paper back books. The entire bag was $5.
Next up, I filled a box of hardcovers. They were supposed to be $2 each. They were $1 instead.
I will take a picture of my swag soon. And I will hopefully be starting a book club soon.
There is a literacy program down here (Outer Banks of North Carolina) that has a book sale twice a year. And I mean sales. Usually I spent close to $50 on books. Yesterday, I spent $27. I got well over 50 books. 20 of them were hardcover. I bought books for myself, and my sister, and Patrick. I looked for books for Mike, but it's rare I'm able to find them (I don't read geek...which is what he craves).
Some books I got:
2-Eat. Pray. Love.
The Hours
White Oleander
The Guardian (Nick Sparks)
Marley and Me (for Laura)
Fallen
Lots, and lots more.
There was an excellent deal that was:
Get a paper bag. Fill it with paper back books. The entire bag was $5.
Next up, I filled a box of hardcovers. They were supposed to be $2 each. They were $1 instead.
I will take a picture of my swag soon. And I will hopefully be starting a book club soon.
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