Wednesday, August 2, 2017

A WHOLE NEW KIND OF EXCITEMENT/INSECURITY?

Hi, All,

I hope you are all enjoying your summer! Things are certainly heating up in Chicago in more ways than just the temperature.

First an update ... Well, the loft I had signed on for ended up having too many issues, so I pulled the deal. Major bummer, but it put things in perspective for me. Buying a condo shouldn't take months and so much STRESS. So, I decided to just move on and rent another place. This time I will make sure it will be the right one for me. I only plan to stay in Chicago a few more years until I am financially secure to move out. Lots of new projects not related to interior design are on the horizon. I am HOPEFUL... It's time to concentrate on my writing again...and why is that, you may ask? After such a long, long hiatus. WELL it's because of the new found hope I experienced in the IWSG TWITTER PITCH! What an amazing day!

Which brings us up to this month's IWSG post. Thanks to Alex .... no need to explain who he is, lol. This group has gone beyond viral. Nominated in the top 101 best writer's websites! CONGRATS ALEX and all involved in the IWSG.... Give yourselves a HUGE pat on the back. For those of you how'd like to join, here is the link to sign up....IWSG

The twitter pitch was a turning point for me. After my last April twitter pitch was accepted by the KNIGHT agency, I was upset it led to nothing. The agent turned it down, but did invite me to query anything else new. But I was bummed. I knew about the IWSG twitter pitch and hung on to the hope until July. 

I posted my first pitch a bit after the starting time. Within a minute I had two likes!!! One agent, one publisher. I was ELATED. I decided to resurrect my first novel that I had put on hold for about a year. I created a pitch for that one. And AMAZINGLY on the third pitch, I was LIKED by THREE! A top NY agent and two publishers! I can't begin to tell you how happy I was and still am! So for all of you who missed out on this pitch, get those manuscripts finished and polished because another IWSG twitter pitch is schedule for January!

As excited as I am, I am also FREAKING.... I spent the following few days tweaking my second novel's synopsis, both query letters, and first few chapters on both. I'm gathering the remaining info for one more publisher. I hadn't had a synopsis written for the first novel and it is taking me some time to finish it. Now it's time for the waiting game. What will happen?

I have worked sooooo hard these past seven years and I hope this is my time. I am grateful but scared. I am not sure if I can handle another HUGE disappointment. If I will recover.... Yes, you all know I am very positive and determined, but I am also tired.  All I can do now is to focus on tweaking the remaining ms while I wait for news. IF I am asked for a partial or full, I will be ready!

I know I can get through my insecurities because I honestly have a good feeling about the timing. Resolving one aspect of my life will CLEAR THE WAVES for the positive flow to wash through my writing career.

For all of those who have had "Likes," I wish you ALL THE BEST!!!!!! Let's end this year right, with LOTS OF SIGNED CONTRACTS!

49 comments:

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

That's so awesome #IWSGPit was a big success for you! Thanks for participating. You are the reason we hosted it.
Sorry about the loft and hope you find a great place to rent soon.

emaginette said...

Congrats! My fingers are crossed. :-)

Anna from elements of emaginette

Cathrina Constantine said...

WOW!!! Congrats, Michael on the twitter pitch party!! And good luck finding a suitable place to call home.

Jemi Fraser said...

YAY!!!! That's awesome news Michael - I hope your lucky streak continues. I'll be sending good vibes your way!!

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Wonderful news, Michael! Now, get those queries ready. Publishers are waiting.

Natalie Aguirre said...

Glad the twitter pitch was so successful. Fingers crossed for you.

Rachna Chhabria said...

Hi Michael, super happy for you that you had so many likes from agents and publishers in #IWSGPit. Keeping my fingers crossed that you get an agent soon. Will be on the lookout for good news from you.

Jennifer Hawes said...

The waiting is sooooooooo hard. Seriously, I feel like I've been waiting for years. Oh, wait, I have been. UGH. But let's hope that things turn around for all of us this year! Congrats on the likes and good luck with your submissions.

Chrys Fey said...

You came out so lucky. I was thrilled to see your pitches getting attention. I wish you all the best!

Crystal Collier said...

Awesome. It's amazing how quickly things can happen, and I'm wishing you the best with your submissions. Kick some trash, eh?

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

I am so excited for you. You've worked hard for it and deserve this.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Michael - well done ... gosh it is such a process isn't it - but excellent things are looking up ... I'm so glad for you. Good luck with the apartment renting and those positive vibes all around - all the best - cheers Hilary

H. R. Sinclair said...

CONGRATS!! That is wonderful. I will keep my fingers crossed.

Olga Godim said...

Congrats, Michael. It sounds like a wonderful Twitter Pitch session. I hope something good will come out of all those Likes.

mshatch said...

Nice! Keep us posted :)

Sorry the condo deal fell through and I hope you find a fabulous apartment.

Yolanda Renée said...

I'm so excited for you and especially to hear you talking about your writing again! Best of everything with everything! Wonderful!
I'll have to consider the next twitter pitch - maybe!
Things are getting worked out here but moving back to the beach is delayed again. Hope it's a good delay! :)

Michael Di Gesu said...

Thanks Alex.... I know it's for the best. I HOPE to have something new and exciting for the next PITCH in January.

Michael Di Gesu said...

Thanks Anna!

Michael Di Gesu said...

Thanks, Cathrina. I really appreciate it.

Michael Di Gesu said...

Great! I can use all the good vibes I can get. Thanks Jemi!

Michael Di Gesu said...

Lol. I know. I hope to have it done by the end of the week.

Michael Di Gesu said...

Thanks Natalie!

Michael Di Gesu said...

I certainly hope so. Thank Rachna!

Michael Di Gesu said...

You, too.... Well then it will be OUR year!

Michael Di Gesu said...

Thank you so much, Chrys!

Michael Di Gesu said...

Thanks Crystal.

Michael Di Gesu said...

Aw... Thank you, Susan!

cleemckenzie said...

Sticking with it is so hard sometimes, but you've done it, so huge congratulations and good luck. Sorry about the loft, but it sounds as if you've made a wise decision.

Michael Di Gesu said...

It sure is, Hillary. AND...time consuming. Thanks.

Michael Di Gesu said...

Thanks, Holly. All the best to you, too!

Michael Di Gesu said...

It was! Thanks Olga... me, too!

Michael Di Gesu said...

I will, Marcy. Thanks.

Michael Di Gesu said...

Sorry to hear of another postponement, but at least things are getting done...

Michael Di Gesu said...

I did. Thanks Lee...

Jo said...

I do so hope you and all the other twitterers who got likes get contracts out of it. IWSG is becoming (or has become) a super resource for writers. Best of luck Michael

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

Oh my gosh, that's so brilliant to hear of your success with the Twitter Pitch party. How awesome!!! Please keep us updated!!

Denise Covey said...

You know I'm beyond thrilled for you, Michael. Surely someone's going to snaffle you this time! Surprisingly I didn't find writing the synopsis for my Paris novel pitch to Avon too onerous at all. Maybe I'm getting better! Or know my story better! Excitement to the max!

Michael Di Gesu said...

Thanks Jo!

Michael Di Gesu said...

I will...thanks Lynda!

Michael Di Gesu said...

Thanks Denise... I hope so!

Glad to hear it, Denise! All the best with your new book. Looking forward to reading it!

S.P. Bowers said...

Congrats on the pitches! Good luck!

DEZMOND said...

your pitches were among a very few fun ones :)
We lost the loft??? What the what? OMG where are we gonna drink our afternoon tea now????

Diane Burton said...

I'm glad you enjoyed the pitch time. And that you garnered so many likes. Good job! Pitching is hard work. Too bad about the condo, but you did right passing on it. Disappointing, I know. You'll find something, I'm sure. Hubs & I were in Chicago on the 22nd for a wedding. An outdoor wedding, in awful heat & humidity. Give me AC any day. Best wishes on tweaking those mss and send those puppies out.

dolorah said...

That is good news. I really hope all goes well this time with your novel submissions. I don't have a twitter account, but I've been too busy at work to do any writing. Maybe with winter just around the corner I'll be less stressed and get something done on my trilogy. I hate the querying process.

Good luck at your new place. I hope you get settled in soon.

Michelle Wallace said...

I'm so excited for you, Michael.
Fingers crossed. X
Hope you get some good news...SOON!

Julie Flanders said...

Oh my gosh, I'm so excited to read this, Michael!!! How awesome!!! I am keeping my fingers and toes crossed that things work out this time. I don't know anyone more deserving. So excited for you!! Congrats!!

DMS said...

Yay! So happy for you that the pitch wars was a turning point for you. Sounds like you are getting down to business and getting everything in order. How awesome! I am so excited for you- especially wonderful in the middle of moving woes.

Good luck with the synopsis and ms! Sending hugs and crossing my fingers for you. :)
~Jess

Misha Gerrick said...

Wow that's super exciting! Fingers crossed you land your dream deal! ^_^

Gina Gao said...

This is such great news! I'm really excited for you.


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