This is another one of those multi-layered posts, but I've buried some shiny in it. You may have noticed I like doing that. ;)
Last week, attending a couple of plays that my twelve-year-old niece had parts in, I realized that knowing most of the kids involved made watching more enjoyable than it would have been otherwise. I'd either volunteered in their classroom at the elementary level or coached a team they'd been on, and having invested myself, watching them succeed makes me happy.
It isn't about what they owe me or anything I've done. I like them. Actually, "like" might not be a strong enough word. I can't recommend volunteering enough.
It's not so different from the way critiquing another person's writing helps me see changes I need to make in my own. The benefits of investment apply here as well. One of my critique partners, after years of querying and rejection, recently signed with an agent, giving me reason to happy dance. Adam Heine's manuscript is fantastic, and he'll be telling his story all week. Please, go congratulate him.
After all, he's one of the brilliant CPs who helped me polish the query I just sent out. Yes. I just sent my first query to an agent (December 13th, 11:40 PM). Let the rejection begin!
Last week, attending a couple of plays that my twelve-year-old niece had parts in, I realized that knowing most of the kids involved made watching more enjoyable than it would have been otherwise. I'd either volunteered in their classroom at the elementary level or coached a team they'd been on, and having invested myself, watching them succeed makes me happy.
It isn't about what they owe me or anything I've done. I like them. Actually, "like" might not be a strong enough word. I can't recommend volunteering enough.
It's not so different from the way critiquing another person's writing helps me see changes I need to make in my own. The benefits of investment apply here as well. One of my critique partners, after years of querying and rejection, recently signed with an agent, giving me reason to happy dance. Adam Heine's manuscript is fantastic, and he'll be telling his story all week. Please, go congratulate him.
After all, he's one of the brilliant CPs who helped me polish the query I just sent out. Yes. I just sent my first query to an agent (December 13th, 11:40 PM). Let the rejection begin!
You queried? Congrats!!! And congrats to Adam too. :o) It truly is a joyful journey (sometimes) trying to get an agent.
ReplyDeleteHave a great day!
Thanks, Myrna. Your critiques played a major part in making Air Pirates work, I think. And good luck with your querying!
ReplyDeleteYay for you!! I am crossing my fingers for you, Myrna!
ReplyDeleteShelley
Jackee, you have the best attitude toward querying I've ever seen! I don't think I'm in a place where I can call querying a joyful journey:)
ReplyDeleteAnd Myrna, you make a wonderful point. Investing in other people's work makes it so much easier to be happy for them when those successes come. I'm wishing you every success with that query. Fingers crossed it turns into a request!
Thanks, Jackie!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Adam!
Shelley, your agent was one I intended to query, but now she isn't accepting them. Thanks for the crossed fingers!
Thanks for all of your help, Krista!
Congrats to Adam! That's fantastic!
ReplyDeleteAnd good luck Myrna:) Querying can be a rollercoaster, but it's a good step to take. Doesn't it make you feel for real? lol Keep us updated!
Congrats to Adam! That is so awesome!
ReplyDeleteAnd good luck with querying. It's so hard, with ups and downs, but something amazing will happen. I just know it. ;)
I'm so happy for Adam. And SO HAPPY FOR YOU, TOO, THAT YOU HAVE STARTED QUERYING! Way to go. And I think it's funny that you wrote that info in tiny letters. Hope you get GOOD NEWS soon.
ReplyDeleteYou're completely right about critiquing helping us with our own manuscripts. It's easier to see the flaws in someone else's stuff at first, but pretty soon you can apply that critical eye to your own work (if you've given it enough rest and distance.)
Great post, Myrna!
Thanks, Kelly. It makes me feel accountable, if that's what you mean.
ReplyDeleteAnd thanks, Chantele. I hope you're right. :o)
Amy, I'm hoping not to get any news until after the holidays. I certainly gave Star Swans rest and distance--about a year's worth--and that did help me see things differently. Thanks!
It's always so exciting waiting to hear about a manuscript.
ReplyDelete:::fingers crossed:::
=)
Thanks, Sue! Did you have an agent help you sell your books?
ReplyDeleteMe, too. I love play'n-aWound words - specially cliches. Here's one you may have. punkUation. Isn't that cool? Upstairs, in the Great Beyond, we'll have eternity to think of wordz --- Greetings, earthling. Seeing as this is only our finite existence, I won’t be long. Shall I see you in Heaven, lovely girly? We’ll have a tonOfun for the length and breadth of eternity, where we’ll have a BIG-ol, kick-ass, party-hardy for many eons celebrating our resurrection, nekk’n and luuuv’n, drink’n and dancing, magical, renegade, exceeding-the-rules, and many nonillions of other magnificent, delicious, wonderfull, full-throttle, mind-blowin, bawl-bustin, drill-baby-drill, virtual reality, baby; on earth, grrr, we have whorizontal taxes - the death of U.S. Upstairs, however, we can fly: like a true, major’s child, we were born 2B wild [literally! Pop was USAF!! HawrHawr I’m so funny, I’m all over it like white-on-rice] God bless you. Love you, doll.
ReplyDelete