Would you like to know WHY it has been over a month since I’ve written? Because I have literally spent half (possibly over half) of my nights away from home – mostly work trips, though a couple personal, and in between trying to catch up on schoolwork! However, class is now over (officially ended yesterday and I got my final assignment in about 10 minutes before it was due!), and I have three days – two now – before I leave again! So I thought I’d update you all on my book.
I did indeed finish editing it and submitted it. And about 17 days later, received a sweet and short “this story is not for us” email. Of course I was disappointed – I mean, who wouldn’t be? Despite technically being sure that they wouldn’t accept it, there is still that little tiny thought deep inside that persists in hoping that they will. And then of course there was the perfectionist part of me that was more ashamed than disappointed because I had submitted an inferior product.
I was a little afraid that if I got a rejection, I would give up on writing for awhile, think it wasn’t worth it, and go through lots of thoughts about my worthlessness. Much to my surprise, instead, pushing aside the shame for an inferior book, it just made me want to write more and better. And there was even a little tiny part of me that was relieved because now I have a chance to make the book deeper and better. And there is always the fact that after 24 years of wanting to be a writer, I finally submitted a book.
For now, then, my plan is write another sappy romance for NaNo, and Abby and I have agreed to try to accomplish a total of two books before the next NaNo. Following or in between, however, I intend to begin editing the book and then resubmitting it to actual agents. How’s that for positive steps forward instead of sulking?
P.S. The below cartoon is basically exactly what my rejection slip said too!
Forest Idylls 