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How Do You Know When It's Time To Quit?

After sweating and crying and researching and WRITING, how do you know when what you've got needs to be put up? Forgotten? Shoved under the bed or even burned?

How many times can you hear the words "No thanks" or "Please try another agent" or "This is really not very good and it doesn't draw me in at all."

How do you improve your manuscript so that you don't feel like giving up?
How do you make it amazing?

Grrrrr. Sniff. Sniff.

Now, that *that* is out of my system (cracks knuckles and picks up a brand new pen. Yes. I love to write. Not type.)

Would you like to see my most recent query from my newest manuscript????

Comments

  1. Aldrea AlienAugust 15, 2012 at 10:55 PM

    Yeah, I pretty much feel like that for a day or so after a reject. I just file'em and go back to typing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ink in the BookAugust 16, 2012 at 1:00 PM

      Yep, it's back to the old drawing board, I guess. Thanks:)

      Delete
  2. ColleenAugust 16, 2012 at 12:19 AM

    I'm completely there! Being buried in rejections...

    I'd love to see the newest query! I think your manuscript sounds completely intriguing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ink in the BookAugust 16, 2012 at 1:01 PM

      Thanks Colleen! I hope to get your feed back on the new one:)

      Delete
  3. Kelley LynnAugust 16, 2012 at 12:22 AM

    I love queries! Lay it on me :)

    And how do I know? When I'm more excited about the next one I'm writing then the one that's on submission and receiving rejections. Then I know its time to move on :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ink in the BookAugust 16, 2012 at 1:02 PM

      You are right Kelley. But somehow, I feel like it's my query that isn't right. NOT my manuscript. I have received reinforcements and onward I march! er...write:)

      Delete
  4. Suzanne FurnessAugust 16, 2012 at 3:16 AM

    I received one rejection this week (a nice one, but still a rejection!). I get down, lose my way for a day but then remind myself that it's still *out there* so maybe tomorrow will bring better news. As for when to give up on a particular piece, I think when I no longer have confidence in it.

    Look forward to seeing your query. Trying to write one myself too at the moment.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ink in the BookAugust 16, 2012 at 2:43 PM

      Your writing is brilliant, Suzanne! Best wishes on your query. To me, the query is harder to write. I think. Maybe.

      Delete
  5. Martin WilloughbyAugust 16, 2012 at 7:03 AM

    You could always revel in them. One day they'll be know as the people who turned you down, and then have to live with the consequences.

    ReplyDelete
  6. UnknownAugust 16, 2012 at 7:32 AM

    At critique circle we are doing a thing called the hook where writers put up their first 1000 words or so to try and hook the reader(agent, editor etc)

    It can be brutal, but also enlightening.

    I put mine up last week and was shocked at the reason people abandoned mine. Was a very easy fix ( to many names early on, they got confused )

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ink in the BookAugust 16, 2012 at 1:05 PM

      I got that one time, too. The only thing, the people HAD to be there. So I moved that chapter to the 3rd chapter and wrote to new chapters to introduce the characters more slowly. I think it worked but I haven't put that manuscript or query out there yet.

      Delete
  7. Think Positive, Be PositiveAugust 16, 2012 at 7:44 AM

    Greetings!

    I'm hopping over from GUTGAA and just wanted to get a head start on visiting some new blogs. Nice to meet you and you have a lovely blog...

    Donna L Martin
    www.donnalmartin.com
    www.donasdays.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ink in the BookAugust 16, 2012 at 1:06 PM

      Hi Donna! That's a great idea to start in the intro's early. Nice to meet you:)

      Delete
  8. Nan ComargueAugust 16, 2012 at 7:54 AM

    Hi:

    I know it's trite advice but you have to just keep on moving forward. It's the only way to reach those goals you have for yourself. I never thought I would start publishing erotic romance (!) in my thirties but that's how my life unfolded and I am very happy with the results!

    Nan
    @nancomargue
    www.nancomargue.blogspot.ca

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ink in the BookAugust 16, 2012 at 1:07 PM

      Hi Nan. Thanks so much for your post the other day. It was so refreshing!

      Delete
  9. Murees DupèAugust 16, 2012 at 8:41 AM

    I won't mind reading your query. I personally refuse to give up on something I feel truly passionate about. I felt the way you do not too long ago and after two years I finally have my agent, so hang in there.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ink in the BookAugust 16, 2012 at 1:08 PM

      Thanks Murees! I posted it here on the blog. Would you prefer I send it to you personally?

      Delete
  10. Lara SchiffbauerAugust 16, 2012 at 9:25 AM

    Hey! I know we talked about sharing reading, but I can't find an e-mail address so we can talk more directly! Since we're both over at Unicorn Bell this week, would you like to work on queries together? My e-mail is laschiff(at)ymail(dot)com, if so! I wish I could give you some great, insightful feedback, but I'm just at the beginning of querying for my novel...

    ReplyDelete
  11. Lara SchiffbauerAugust 16, 2012 at 9:26 AM

    I meant great, insightful feedback about when to move on from the current query! I like to think I might be able to give at least a little helpful feedback about writing!

    ReplyDelete
  12. UnknownAugust 16, 2012 at 11:58 AM

    I definitely go through that with my writing sometimes. I haven't queried yet, but I'm nearly to that stage with my book and I'm sure at some point I'll feel like giving up. But I can't ever imagine giving up on something I worked so hard on. Maybe taking a break, but never giving up. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ink in the BookAugust 16, 2012 at 1:10 PM

      You are right! It's like the saying, "Leave no man behind." Right. Leave no story behind. Hehe!

      Delete

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