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I have been querying my young adult novel for a while now –
longer than I care to admit. With no requests.
Was my query the
problem? I continually reworked it.
Was it my first pages?
I revised.
I was just about to the point of giving up. But I really
didn’t want to. I love this
story. I have faith in this story.
Then one day, a fair-skinned angel reached out to me.
She said…
Don't give up the trudging!! And consider joining our
Thursday's Children blog hop-trudging is more fun in a group :D
My angel goes by @RhiannWynnNolet
I know I’ve said this before, but, I am so grateful for
Thursday’s Children. Since I tend to be reserved online, I find it hard sometimes
to connect with people via social media. However, with the TC members, I
immediately felt part of the group. I started connecting. And even bigger, I
started trusting.
I’d seen people talk about the importance of beta readers
and crit partners. But, having someone (or a group) that’s local isn’t always easy.
I’ve tried a couple of groups in my area, but they didn’t work out for various
reasons.
So, back to the trusting … I just couldn’t wrap my head
around the idea of sending my manuscript off to someone I didn’t know. Well, I recently
sent it off to Rhiann and Louise Gornall – my first betas!
I was so nervous.
What if they hate it?
What if they realize I
can’t write worth a damn?
What if?
What if?
What if?
But then I got notes back. Like, a lot of notes. The betas
turned into critiques,
and their notes were awesome. I immediately started
seeing the patterns.
WHY? Banging my
head on the keyboard. WHY DIDN’T I SEE
THAT BEFORE?!
Yes. I know the rule. I’ve heard it so many times. Show, don’t
tell. Also known as “showing vs telling.” Well, I was doing some sort of crazy stupid-ass
mixed up version of “telling the showing.”
I’ve also been told to remove the ! key from my keyboard. Lol.
Anyway, I feel like my ms has been given a second chance. I’m
super excited about the revisions. And I’m having a little too much fun
cutting. Picture me doing an evil laugh while holding down the delete button.
Die! Die! Die! This could also explain my enthusiasm over the weekend when my
husband and I took the chainsaw to 12 overgrown bushes and 2 trees. Bwah ah ah!
Die! Die! Die!
Sorry, I got a little carried away there. :)
On a happy note, after a couple of very busy weeks, I’m back
at the computer. And the weather is finally looking up, so I’m able to sit in my
favorite place to write. I just took this picture while writing this post.
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Life is good!
So, in the hopes of being published, have you ever thought about who you'd like to thank in the acknowledgements?
I have.
Thank you Rhiann and Louise!!!!!!! (look at all those exclamation points. lol)
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zomigod, ROFLMAO!!!! You are too funny. Really I should be wearing horns since I've been poking at your ms with my pitchfork and holding its tender feet to the flames... And your writing venue looks "heavenly" :)
ReplyDeleteLove the halo on Rhiann.
ReplyDeleteI actually have an easier time with online CPs than in person. I kind of dread doing acknowledgement because I've had so many people give me a hand. I'm afraid I'll forget someone.
Yay for wonderful Cps!
I've done both online and live CPs and have a strong preference for the online version. I think critiques always sting (if not, they're doing it wrong) and it's easier to take a step back, breathe, and review it again, which is much harder to do in a live group. And it gets easier. TC has been a wonderful source of support for me, too. May we all get published someday very soon!
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Michaele. I, too, wrote for years before signing with an agent. I've learned a ton after a gentle push into social media though and by connecting w/ other writers, so you are definitely doing the right thing. Best of luck on your rewrites and new round of querying!
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