Tag: writing

The Beauty of Youth

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There are many benefits of working in a library, but one of my favorites is (of course) being around books all day long. If you follow me on Twitter, you know that I love posting pictures of old/neat/interesting/funny books I find on our shelves. The other day I found this book:

Little Journeys to the Homes of Eminent Painters by Elbert Hubbard

It’s an art book from 1901. The cover is ridiculously soft, and sadly falling apart due to wear and tear. I flipped through it gently, and stumbled upon this quote on the first page:

“…I hope this book will not suffer the dire fate of falling into the hands of any one who has forgotten the days of his youth.”

Isn’t that sentiment lovely? How sad would it be to forget our youths. To forget the days that made us who we are today.

I think, ultimately, that’s why I write (besides the fact that I love to/need to). I love revisiting those days of my childhood when I was so much braver. When everything felt possible, and there was no fear of mortality. I think that’s what I hope to give to my ( hopefully one day) readers. A flashback to times we all share, times that make us smile.

Second Guessing

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[Before I begin…for those interested, here’s my query! And the first 250 words! And the title! I didn’t “win” this contest, but I made it to the top 25 which is awesome in itself. I’d love to hear what you all think.]

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Querying. Is. Hard.

I knew it would be – every writer does – but I wasn’t prepared for it to be as engrossing as writing the actual book. I’ve been rejected a few times already, which is fine. I’m still going, still processing, still sending queries out. But like I said – it’s hard.

I think my biggest problem is second guessing myself. It’s smart to query agents who represent what you write. It’s smart to target those who have worked with similar books. But there’s still that…on a pedestal feeling, I suppose. I find an agent who represents YA contemporary romance. I look at their client list. I find authors I love. And then I feel…not worthy. As if my book doesn’t compare at all to those other books. As if it’s not as good.

Of course I shouldn’t feel that way, but sometimes it happens and I just skip that agent. When I shouldn’t. I should send them an email because, really, what’s the worse that could happen? I receive another rejection? Fine!

It’s easy to second guess. It’s much harder pushing through. So, today I’m doing just that. I’m querying those agents who represent similar books that I love. And perhaps I’ll be rejected, but that’s completely fine. At least I tried, right?

What are some things you’ve second guessed yourself about? And how did you power through? 

 

Show Up

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You know that quote “80% of success is just showing up?” I feel writing is similar. Success is just doing it in the first place. In regards to that, I just read a great post by author Allison Winn Scotch about writing. Check it out here.

I think it’s the same once you’re done writing the book. After you’re done, you have to do something with it, right? So I am! I’m not going to chronicle all of my queries and requests and rejections. That’ll just be annoying. But I will state one bit of success I’ve had thus far. My query has made it to the second round of a contest judged by two agents. There are 25 finalists in total. Six will have requests for full manuscripts, and quite a few will get critiques and comments, or even partial requests. Honestly, while I’d love a request, I’m just really excited about the critiques. I’ll know what I did right, did wrong, need to improve on. That way I can send a better more prepared query out next. It’s a learning process, no?

Once the contest is closed, I’ll link over to my entry. I’d love to know all of your opinions.

Edits

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First page of "Dharma Bums." Editor's comments in pencil. Kerouac's comments in red.

Here’s a fun fact for you: when Jack Kerouac wrote Dharma Bums, he wasn’t touring the country or in a small apartment in New York City, he was living here in Orlando. My library actually has the original DB manuscript, edits and all. It’s really remarkable to see.

What I found to be hilarious, though, was how Kerouac actually rejected most of the edits suggested. There’s actually a page where he wrote “Viking Press changes that I rejected.” How crazy is that!

I’ve discussed earlier how I actually love getting critiques. Sure it hurts somtimes, but that’s good. Because I know the people who are editing are helping the book, not hurting me. And that’s my ultimate goal, isn’t it?

I say all of this because…the editing phase is finally done on TNWSY. I sent out my first query yesterday. I’m nervous, of course, but also extremely excited. I know there will be rejections, I know there will be hard times, but I also know I worked hard on the book, and I’m excited that it actually turned into something. Something someone might see one day.

Wish me luck!

Fear

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Let me admit something – It took me 7,000 years (or so it felt) to finish a novel because I was afraid. So so afraid. What if it wasn’t good? What if it didn’t live up to other books? What if people hated it? Hated me? What if I start to doubt myself? Doubt my story? It was all there. Every fear bubbled inside me for days, weeks, years. Every book I’d start, I’d look at and think “oh, well this sucks,” and then scrap it for something new. Or, I’d like a part and keep re-writing it until I thought it was perfect. But it was never perfect because I had such high expectations. Let’s be honest, I’ll never be the next Bronte, the next Fitzgerald, the next Twain.

As a writer, my degree in literature kind of set me up for failure.

But thanks to NaNoWriMo, I blocked out that fear and kept going. I knew what I was writing wasn’t perfect, but I didn’t care. I barreled through, writing page after page. I knew at the end there would be the big boss, like in every video game, and I knew I’d have to punch my way to the finish line, but I was ready. Because in that month, I finally believed in myself. I believed that, even if the book never sells, even if it sits on my computer for all of eternity, as long as it was finished, I won.

I’m starting this year without fear. I’m editing madly, making the book as clean as I can. I’m stomping all over fear and toasting to my accomplishment. Because I did win. I completed my ultimate goal.

I read the article “25 Things Writers Should Stop Doing” this morning and one part stood out to me:

 But being a writer is nothing worthy of fear. It’s worthy of praise. And triumph. And fireworks. And shotguns. And a box of wine. So shove fear aside — let fear be gnawed upon by escalators and tigers. Step up to the plate. Let this be your year.

And so I shall. I’m diving head first into this year, not worrying about the sharks that may be swimming around in the water. I’m going to make mistakes, and learn from each one. Because with each mistake, or each victory, it means I’m trying. It means I’m actually doing something, and that, for once, I’m not afraid. I’m not hesitating and wondering what may be waiting around the next bend. I’m running forward with my chin up and eyes open. And I’m ready for anything.

And I hope you are, too.

Let’s do this thing.