If you're reading this blog, there's a pretty good chance you're a writer. So maybe you don't write thrillers like we do. Or maybe you haven't yet finished your novel, or you mainly write short stories. Maybe you've written five novels and are knee-deep in Query Hell.
Regardless of the stage you're at, I think we can all agree that it takes a certain kind of person and a certain thickness of skin (Ultra Super Maximum Thick) to be writers striving for publication. It takes a lot of courage to write something and let someone else read it, let alone a critique group, let alone an agent or editor. As a writer, I feel like I strip naked every day. Even though I write fiction, my personal experiences inevitably permeate my work, and the thought that someone might hate it hurts. Writing can be a deeply personal endeavor. I know it is for me.
And because it's so personal, there isn't a lot of "in between". There are incredible highs (a great crit! A partial request! An offer!) and there are incredible lows (a rejection on a full, a rejection on a partial, a rejection on anything). I've noticed that since I started writing seriously again, there haven't been a lot of boring days. I have awesome days, and I have crappy days, but life is never dull.
My best writing high: Signing with my agent. The day Victoria was called was the very first time I felt legitimized as a writer, and I was thrilled that there was someone in publishing who actually thought I could write.
My worst writing low: A personalized rejection from a big-name agent on a three-chapter partial. He said that while my writing was flawless (SOAR), my characters were unlikable and he didn't much care what happened to them (THUD). I read the email, crawled back into bed, and stayed there all day.
What about you? What, so far, has been your best writing high and your worst writing low?
By the way, this is my last post for Killer Chicks. Blogging alongside two amazingly talented writers has been one giant high! I look forward to keeping up with the girls in the New Year as a reader and a fan. Happy Holidays, everyone!
13 comments:
Your last post? Rats. But life has its demands I know. I will miss you here.
Rejections are always a low. Today I received my shortest one ever : Thank you for your submission. At this time I am not interested.
Ouch. At least she used my first name.
May all your Christmas and New Year wishes come true. Roland
Jennifer,
I'm sorry to hear it's your last post here at Killer Chicks, but will catch you over at your blog.
The highs are easier... Definitely the first full that was requested was the biggest high!
The low is a little harder... Rejection doesn't hit me too hard, but the waiting can be terrible! The waiting is where I start to question everything and I think I’m capable of tearing myself apart worse than any rejection letter can.
Writing through the waiting helps! I now know that if I'm not getting bites on my current MS I have another one that will be ready to query soon, and beyond that another one in the works with another waiting in the wings to be written.
Perseverance, what can I say, it makes a writer what we are I guess...
Thanks for another great post!
First (and only) full request on my very submission was a total high. Low - definitely the rejection letter. I was so glad to have a crit partner who pointed out every good thing said in the letter since I tend to ignore that part and only focus on the bad.
I'll miss you here, but I am glad that JB and Joann are continuing the blog!
Aw I loved your posts.
I'll definitely keep an eye on your own blog.
My high: when words suddenly rush from my brain to paper and I write nearly ten thousand words in a single day.
My low: when I inevitably hit the slump the next day.
Merry Christmas.
:-)
Oh man. I feel you BIG TIME (min us the agent I don't yet have because that...is one of the lows...). I have those highs every so often with the requests and then yes-THUD.
Bummer about this being your last post here. You're the reason I found the Killer Chicks. Oh well, I'll still visit here and see you at your personal blog.
Biggest high was getting my first full request, and my biggest low was getting the rejection letter for it - which had highs and lows of its own. (i.e. love your voice, but the premise isn't working, still send me your next book, since I'm rejecting this one) Writing - it's the bipolar profession. LOL
Biggest high was when the author whose work I admire most, sort of my writing hero, saw my blurb and excerpt and my website and too the initiative to express his appreciation of it and his interest in my writing career. *jawdrop*
Deepest low might have been the rejection I got from a magazine when I was 16. It was a sci fi short story. The magazine actually gave details on rejection from the three editors.
#1 said he loved the story and found it original and compelling.
#2 said it was okay writing but didn't spark
anything.
#3 said it it was an awkward retelling of a story that had been told a million times.
At that point, I felt like writing was impossible, and it still sort of haunts me today.
High: Definitely first request for a partial. Not experienced the full yet. That pleasure still to come - I hope.
Low: When I'd received loads of critiques on my first chapter, and thought I'd done a good job of incorporating all the feedback, sent it back out for another round of critiques and got utterly slammed. Once I picked myself off the floor, I realised that what I'd done to the chapter was indeed an execrable mess. I realised that I'd fallen into the trap of reacting to the critiques, rather than acting on them. It took me all this summer to sort out the mess, but now I'm a lot happier with the result, and recent critiques suggest it is a lot better too.
Great topic. It's hard for non-writers sometimes to appreciate the roller coaster ride writer's are on.
Highest High: Having my book reach #2 on the Kindle Romance Best Seller list, just below Nora Roberts.
Lowest Low: Getting a rejection on a novel after doing requested revisions for a NY publisher. [That novel will be released next month by a different publisher, but still the first rejection hurt, esepcially after coming so close to an acceptance.]
Thank you for all your fabulous contributions to KC, Jenny! I'm sure we'll see you around in the comments (hope so!).
My lowest low: when I lose my confidence and can't write or edit. Right now is one of those times and it just sucks.
My highest high: signing with my agent and going out on sub.
My low came from speaking in front of a group of Mensas about their long suit ... physics. I could not access the hotel Wifi with my laptop so all my online visuals were not accessable. Then the laptop died. So did my camera I used to film the one hour event. People got up and walked out while some stayed.
My highlight was meeting Dean Koontz, getting my pic taken with him, and giving him a copy of my book.
Isn't it amazing how writers from all walks of life can experience so many similar things? Looks like rejection is the biggie on most everyone's "lowest low" list.
Botanist, that's an interesting experience you had with your crit group. That hasn't happened to me (yet?) but it did happen to a friend of mine and it took a long time for her to get her confidence back. It takes practice to learn which suggestions to listen to, and which ones to disregard.
Nevets, you got your introduction to rejection early!
BG & JC, so thrilled your story has a happy ending. That's so inspiring!
Stephen, welcome! That's one horrible day there, buddy. But look, you survived! :)
Thanks, Joann. I'm really going to miss being a contributor here at KC, but I'll still be hanging around, stalking my buddies. This is place is way too fun, and the content is just too good. :)
Great post, Jennifer. A prime example of why you'll be missed here at KC!
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