It's good to talk 'big'. It builds up your spirit, increases your drive, strengthens your heart.
The unfortunate consequence is if you talk 'big' to yourself too convincingly, the tumble back to reality just hurts that much more.
When it comes to talking big, no one is supposed to be better at it than a new writer sending out her first query, an experience I just 'enjoyed' starting on Wednesday when I shot off a couple of emails for my contemporary romance The High Bridge.
It was an interesting experience, writing that letter. I've been playing with my hook and my mini synopsis for several weeks and thought I had it down to a pretty eye-catching couple of sentences. But then came the dreaded "Why Are You The Best, Most Qualified Person To Write This Book?" paragraph at the end.
Sigh...Well...
Sigh...
I put it down as best I could, although I suspect it came across sounding a little "You're not good enough to write this book, so I have to do it myself" kind of attitude. If you want a romance story that involves back-country travel of abandoned railway right-of-ways through bear/mountain lion country, I'm your girl! Do you think Jackie Collins is going to know that the old Willys jeep is really pronounced "WILL ISS"? No! Will Nora Roberts know much about falling off a dirt bike when lightning strikes a nearby tree? N--- well, maybe, with some research.
The point is I know a lot about what I write for a novel. I don't know a lot about making ME sound like the only person qualified to do so.
You only have to make love once to no longer be a virgin. I've already received word (the dreaded "Dear Author" letter) that I'm no longer a virgin to the agency rejection system. I just don't want to be a rejection slut.
Time to rewrite the query letter, methinks. Need to learn a new way to talk 'big'.
WAG #20: The First Time” Everything we’ve ever done had a ‘first time’. Think of an activity (either of your own or something you observe of someone else) and write about the first time of that experience, and perhaps even compare it to subsequent experiences. Maybe even pick a moment that might have looked mundane from the outside, but made a significant change to the person experiencing it. Not a lot of rules, as usual… just let your imagination flow! www.indiadrummond.com
I'm a rejection slut. I've had 57 rejections. Sometimes it gets me down, but then I think of how far my writing has come and I'm so glad that old crap isn't published and haunting me.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure if "congratulations" is exactly the right thing to say, but it's great to see you making progress and putting yourself out there. It's not easy, but it's incredibly rewarding when the successes come!
ReplyDeleteWhat to say? My rejections aren't even BIG ones, like a story or book, dammit. I write [mostly] poetry and am an unashamed slut, though I don't lick envelopes for just anyone. A crusty writer/prof in grad school asked, "Know who wins ribbons in county fairs?" "No," I stammer. "People who enter." Go for it, girl fren.
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ReplyDeleteGirl Fren, I need to put this on a sign and hang it over my desk, right next to my sign that states (in my own handwriting) "You have NOTHING to lose".
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for those inspiring words.
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ReplyDeleteSorry to hear it didn't work out this time around, but Girl Fren is right! You can't win unless you try!
ReplyDeleteI completely understand what you mean about talking big to yourself and then feeling disappointed when reality sets in. I've been applying to jobs lately (ones I believe I'm well qualified for) and it definitely hurts when the realization sets in that it's not gonna happen. I suppose the best thing to do is to keep talking big and know that one day it's going to work out okay!
(P.S. Been having trouble posting comments-my own fault, so sorry for deleted comment above. This is Caroline/cedickie, by the way)
LOL Caroline! No prob with the delete. I had to delete my response to Kate because I'd left the parens open! :D
ReplyDeleteIf I sound like I'm feeling sorry for myself, I'm not. (Well...okay, maybe a little.) I'm just frustrated about how many times I've written this letter. I hope I have it this time!
I DID make up the "crusty writer/prof" sign, btw. It's perfect.
Don't even say the bad "query" word to me! It's much easier to write a novel than that letter!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing and well done for taking the first steps, I am on the same path and preparing synopsis and so on, good luck!
ReplyDeleteThis was a great first, Sue! And yes, just remember you have nothing to lose.
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