I received a detailed critique from a "Best First Line" contest. The critique was the best I have ever received and seriously opened my eyes to "how" to improve my writing. Nice!Speaking of critiques, I am still looking for a critique partner. If anyone is looking back, please let me know and we can swap info.
I'm sending off a YA query letter and first pages to 3 agents this week. Wish me luck. This will be the first time I have directly contacted and agent with a query. Yes, I'm nervous, so I'm saying again, WISH ME LUCK!!!
Good luck! *crossing fingers*
ReplyDeleteThanks Julia! I need all the luck I can get:)
DeleteGood luck!
ReplyDeleteAnd that's great about the first line contest! Isn't it wonderful when that happens?
Thanks Rachel. I know how exciting it is to win your first contest. Out of all the ones I've entered, I've only placed in 2 of them. The first line contest I one honorable mention, 2nd runner up and 1st place. So, yea, I'm excited:)
DeleteGood luck! Querying can be rough, but it's the only way to move forward! If you never put yourself out there, it will never happen, right? :)
ReplyDeleteTrue. No matter how scary it is, it must be done. thnkas for the encouragement:)
DeleteI've also faced rejection recently. And you're right. Much as we might want to cry over it, it would ultimately accomplish nothing. We must press on and continue to grow as writers.
ReplyDeleteBest of luck!
Right. No tears. (well okay. I admit. There has been a few shed in secret, but don't tell, okay?)
DeleteI wish you well. And when your book is published, pin all the rejections to the wall and write 'SUCKERS' on each of them.
ReplyDeleteThanks Martin. I appreciate your encouragement and kind remarks!
Deletegood luck! It's an exciting and scary time.
ReplyDeleteYou are right and thanks for the good luck wishes:)
DeleteGOOD LUCK!!! Fingers crossed for you, most definitely!
ReplyDeleteThanks a million, Kendra:) Keep 'em crossed for a few day!
DeleteRejection is tough but we have to keep going (or so I tell myself with every rejection).
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the agents :-)
oh hi Mama J! Thanks for stopping by today! Yep, I'll just keep moving forward!
DeleteWelcome to the query trenches, Talynn! It's a rough place to be, and you'll likely be baptized by fire, but don't let it get you down. It's how it works. It's how you'll toughen your skin and learn how to take rejection, something EVERY writer experiences. Just go slowly. Don't burn through your agent list too quickly. And don't query your favorites right at first. Put your query out there to be critiqued, just like you probably did with your ms. Try Matthew MacNish's website, The Quntiessentially Questionable Query Experiment. He and his followers will give you lots of constructive criticism on your query. It's the best thing I ever did!
ReplyDeleteThanks for that helpful website! I've already ran over and checked it out. Yep, it earned a a bookmark so I can return to it again and again and...
DeleteOh, your book tour is scheduled for Friday. WOOT!
Good luck! Fingers and toes crossed for you.
ReplyDeleteThanks. I need all the finger crossing (and toe crossing) I can get. It's now of never...:)
DeleteGood luck! I would offer to read, but I'm really busy through August at least. If you want to wait, in September I'd be happy to have you give me a tryout for critique partner, if you wanted. :)
ReplyDeleteYay! Lara! That's great! So let's take the next few weeks and chat, get to know each other and see how that goes. I'll be visiting you blog in just a minute:) Thanks!
DeleteGood luck and don't stress out if they don't respond. When you find the right agent everything will fall into place :)
ReplyDeleteoh I know. And I'm so looking for the right agent. Truly, I only have a small handful of FAVORITES, but I've been searching for more, just in case plan A fails. Thanks for the encouragement! I appreciate your visit today!
DeleteInstructive feedback on a rejection is GOLD! Gah, so many "NOs" I've gotten that don't help me AT ALL. Granted, it's not an agent's job to help me fix myself, I understand and accept that. But yeah, it's totally disheartening to not know what the thing(s) was/were that turned the agent off.
ReplyDeleteGood luck to you with your queries!
Some Dark Romantic
I know. Some of the critiques I have received back have been pure gold mines. The ones that simply said, nice work but it could be improved made me roll my eyes! But I have had a few were a real effort was applied to the critique and this helped more then anything!
DeleteThanks for stopping by today. I appreciate it!
Reading all your posts I too want to say keep your chin up. Rejection can be hard, what am I saying? It's definitly hard! But we write because we love it so keep trudging along. I am available to be a critique partner if you are looking for one. I am in need of one as well. I am a teacher so I get busy when school starts but always have time to read! Let me know if you are interested.
ReplyDeleteConnie
Oh! My! Yes! I'll contact you shortly:)
DeleteTrudging along rather slowly, but looking for some pick me up soon. The sun is going to shine brightly, right on the other side of this shadow:)
Coming to visit shortly:)
Good luck!! You can do it! If it is a rejection, try another! There are plenty of agents out there and I'm sure you'll find the one for you.
ReplyDeleteWhat genre are you writing? You are welcome to send a sample to me. :) kristam(at)iastate(dot)edu
Okay, Krista! I'll be visiting you soon and we can chat. Yay! I've gotten several invitations for a CP. I am thrilled!
DeleteThose kind of critiques are the best. It's great when you get critiques that are that helpful.
ReplyDeleteI know, Clara:) Good critiques should help the writer improve their craft, so I love helpful advice! Thanks for stopping by Ink in the Book.
DeleteOh man... rejection is the most popular word when it comes to writing. It happens to all of us. Many times. Just think that without the rejection, your work would never have success. Because essentially the only way to NEVER be rejected, is to never try.
ReplyDeleteYou are so right, Kelley, but it still doesn't feel very good. I'm so new in trying to get my work published, so I am TRYING to stay positive and keeping a smile on my face. I know the best is yet yo come!!
DeleteBest of luck with the queries... you're going into territory that I've never ventured into myself, so I can only imagine how anxious you must feel! As for a critique partner, I'd totally be up for that... but the problem is that I've only got partial WIPs. In about a month I should have short story completely polished as a "first draft", so if you find yourself still in need of a partner to swap with in a couple of weeks, hit me up... :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks a million T! I would love to join forces with WIP's because I also have a couple of rough drafts, half finished manuscripts, and even just some thoughts rolling around to create a novel. So, yes! I'll head over and chat with you:)
DeleteHang in there. Rejection is tough, but it makes us stronger and our writing better. Best of luck in your querying!
ReplyDelete~Debbie
Thanks Debbie! I REALLY appreciate the encouragement:) Hugs always make things better. Well, for my kids anyway. So we adults should learn from our precious kiddos and give more hugs away!
DeleteDetailed critiques are so, so helpful!! Especially coming after rejection(s), which are never fun. I'm always guilty of always hearing the bad things and never the good... Good luck with the query process! I look forward to hearing how it goes!
ReplyDeleteOh believe me Kimberly. When the time comes, you'll know about it! You'll probably hear me screaming all the way to where you live. Who knows, maybe even through the computer screen!!!
DeleteAnd yes, the first thing I do when I look at a critique is see the "bad" comments and I want tot hrow the paper on the floor and stomp on it! But after I cool down, I go back a read and think, "My word! That makes so much sense and it sounds waaaaaay better to put it that way, or leave that word out all together."
Yay for helpful critiques!
Thanks Alex! I'm working on it!
ReplyDeleteHope you hear good news after you submit your proposal! Praying for you!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by Life Lessons! I'm so glad you commented - how neat that you just happen to know the Shumakers and Pastor Gardner! I'm always amazed at the way God puts us together.
I know Kate and Chris will be thankful for your prayers! Hope your weekend is wonderful, too. Hugs and God bless! :)
Hi Maria! Thanks for stopping over today! I'm amazed at how small the world is! Isn't it something how I found your blog and know some of the same people as you? Neat!
DeleteGood luck! I know it's scary, but moving forward is ALWAYS a good thing! Hope you get good news soon. :D
ReplyDeleteOh! Thank you Amy! The encouragement is awesome:) I hope to hear good news soon, too:)
DeleteLuck! I don't think rejection ever gets easier. I'm crossing fingers that a savvy agent will pick up your book.
ReplyDeleteI've heard of savvy authors, but savvy agents? And yes, I think my agent will surely be savvy!!!
DeleteGood luck. It's scary to put yourself out there, but if you don't try you'll never succeed. I see you have lots of takers for a CP, but I'm looking for another one. I just finished my MS. If you'd like to check out my blog and e-mail me if your interested. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Jessica. I know it's scary but it's got to be done. Thanks for the CP offer:)
DeleteWishing you the best of luck! Hope all goes well. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the good wishes!
DeleteForget the rejections. They are inevitable in this business and cause a lot "hide thickening." You should mine! I look more like one my alligators than I'd like. :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the visit to The Write Game. Great to meet you.
Oh. Alligator skin? Hmmm. Those shoes and purses are worth lots of money. So I guess I'm going in the right direction:)
DeleteYour blog is pretty. I love the textures. My CP has helped my writing so much. She's revealed to me little things that I can apply to all of my writing. I hope you find someone that's a great fit for you.
ReplyDeleteThanks Tonja! I hope I find someone, too:)
Deletebest wishes on your query.
ReplyDeleteThanks Michelle. Wishes are good, especially when they are the best kind:)
DeleteGood luck to you! Glad you got some wonderful writing advice. Learning and getting better are blessings.
ReplyDeleteAnd thanks to you for supporting me in my recent contest entry! I was among the top 25 winners, and my quote placed 4th of 25. :-) I appreciate the votes you drummed up on my behalf, and gave you a special shout-out on my blog post today.
Keep us posted on the query! Smooches...
You got it Janette. I'll let you know!
DeleteGood luck with querying. I just finished the edits to my revision request, and now I'm back to querying. *runs of to stock pile chocolate*
ReplyDeleteHa! Lots of chocolate. Lot's and lots. And Dr. Pepper too, along with coffee. Mmmm!
DeleteGood luck with your querying. Getting great constructive advice on how to improve your work is priceless.
ReplyDeleteYou know that's right, Kari! It helps just about more than anything!
DeleteWish you the best, and cheering you on from the sidelines!
ReplyDeleteAww! Thanks. Cheers are great!
DeleteWishing you the best of luck! It's terrifying, contacting agents, but it's so worth it when you find the One!
ReplyDeleteHi Daisy. *waves and smiles*
DeleteIt is scary. And I can't wait to find "The One!"
Best of luck! I know its not easy. I was wishing my laptop would write a query letter for me during the night but that didn't happen!
ReplyDeleteHeather
Oh yeah. I've tried that before, too. It didn't work for me either!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by. It's nice to meet you:)