It's October! Yay! Fall is starting and the leaves are turning. It is my favorite time of year. The temps drop to a comfortable level, and I am back outside walking again.
Once again, thanks to the INCREDIBLE IWSG team and the founder, Alex J. Cavanaugh If you aren't a member yet, please hop over to Alex's sign-up sheet here.
I have learned so much this past year about patience and keeping a positive attitude. Many times it wasn't an easy task, but with each day, I kept reading and writing between house projects. NOW, the exterior of my house is FINALLY complete and I have spent the past three weeks querying like a madman. This is a taxing chore for every writer. Each query must be adjusted to fit the needs of the agent. I found myself spending time writing a synopsis (we all know how much fun that is, HA!), doing a table of contents for one agent (Odd), and rewriting my bio several times. I have sent out about twenty query's for my current story and sadly I have received about eight rejections so far. I have also been querying my second novel as well, and have received two rejections so far. Will I give up? Hardly. Those of you who know me, know, I NEVER GIVE UP. lol But, we all get down and depressed during this process. I certainly do, and it takes every ounce of energy for me to continue.
I have also written two entries for the IWSG anthology and entered a personal essay into the Writer's Digest contest. So, I have pulled myself out of a two-year slump. I have high hopes for this fall, although the pandemic has taken its toll on me and on so many people I know. I am finally leaving my house for a vacation next month after almost two years of seclusion. The Colorado Rockies should be amazing next month with a dusting of snow, and I am so looking forward to exploring them. A writer must "air" out their brains with new sights, sounds, and smells. Coming back, I know I'll be refreshed and ready to continue my quest.
My advice to all this season is to sweep away all the old cobwebs and reacquaint yourself with mother earth. So much of our earth is changing and being a part of that change will help us evolve with the changing times we are all experiencing.
Please keep safe my friends and may this new season bring you new hope. Sending all of you a virtual hug!
35 comments:
I love Colorado and its mountains! I've visited twice, in 1992 and 2001. My surviving uncle lives there, and he loves mountain climbing and hiking. There's so much beautiful scenery. Another wonderful sight is the Garden of the Gods, with ancient, large, reddish-brown rock formations.
Good luck with your querying, contests, and writing!
Congratulations on getting out of a slump. I have come out of one, too, in other ways.
Love,
Janie
Heck with that slump - keep after it! There are a lot of agents and publishers out there - it's a big list.
I'm so glad your renovations are getting done and that you're on a writing roll. Glad you're not giving up on querying. You may want to keep entering my query contests even if it's an agent you don't want. They may have suggestions about making your query stronger. Have fun on your vacation. I just went on a long-weekend vacation to Dallas to visit family and it was great.
Don't give up on querying. You might be one step away from a yes.
I'm ready to get out and go do something, anything - outdoors is fine. Yes, the Rockies will be beautiful. Loved living in the Sandia range in ABQ, NM.
Congrats on being so persistent with your queries. In time... Glad that you've been writing. Would be cool to be in the IWSG anthology, but I've even forgotten at time that I entered, LOL. Not foremost on my mind. The Rockies sounds amazing! Enjoy! Currently I'm holidaying beside the Noosa River for a week. Lovely!
Way to go, Michael! Sounds like you're really getting some movement, both with your home and your writing.
Exciting times!! Good luck with those queries!
A TOC for fiction seems odd but you do what is asked when querying!
October is my favourite time of year - and a great one to get out and enjoy that nature. Clearing out the cobwebs is a great idea!
Glad to hear you're coming out of your slump. I, too, have learned a lot this past year--patience and optimism being the top two. Good luck on your queries.
Sounds great, Denise! Get some rest. You have been super busy with promoting your books. I hope all is going well!
Thanks, Bish! Yes, finally...
It is exciting, Jemi... but frustrating, too. I just got another two rejections today. ugh.
Thanks, Diane.
Thanks, Natalie. I have been visiting. I queried one of your agents last week or so. She was a good fit, but I haven't heard back from her yet.
Nothing from the rejections have any suggestions at all. Just not a right fit for them at this time. So frustrating. I wish I did get some feedback.
Sounds AMAZING, I can't wait to go! I'll be in the Vale valley in Avon. But, I plan to go to Breckinridge, too. It is only a forty-five minute drive.
Thanks, Janie! Take care of YOU!
I won't, not for a while. I plan on doing it until the end of the year. If I don't land an agent, then I'll self publish. I'll definitely need your company to format it for me, L. Diane.
Thanks, Alex!
Sounds like you are powering forward. Good for you! Enjoy your vacation.
Michael, I saw the exterior of your house on FB and it's beautiful!
You have a gift for writing! So, don't get discouraged. Those rejections are tough to swallow. Exciting times are ahead!!
Hi Michael, even I have learn patience and keeping a positive attitude this year. Infact I also enjoyed the slow pace of life, watching the sunset and clouds, flowers and birds.
Thanks, Cathrina...I'll try not to.
That is the best way to handle our situation, Rachna...
Thanks, Liza!
Congrats! Getting the outside done and querying. Very nice. Enjoy the Rockies!
Thanks, Holly!
Thanks, Patricia!
Hi Michael - well you've achieved lots in the last few years and overcome lots too. So pleased the house is finished and you can have a break - the Colorado Rockies sound ideal - enjoy the different scenery. Also good luck with all authorly things - take care and look after yourself - cheers Hilary
Michael - I'm so glad you've pulled yourself out of a slump. Way to go with your writing and all those queries!
It sounds like you have some fun plans ahead to explore beautiful Colorado this fall and winter.
Happy IWSG Day and virtual hugs.
Virtual hugs back!
I also started walking again. When it gets too cold out, I'll return to the gym. I've spent too much time being idle and worrying.
Rejection stinks, but you know this is a hard hill to climb. But you hang in there. I'm ready to be one of your first book buyers!!
Good luck in the contests! And yay for a vacation! I've never been to Colorado and all I really know of it comes from Stephen King's The Stand :p
Three weeks of querying! That is some solid effort. Fingers crossed for your story!
Ah, thanks, Elizabeth. I am still plugging away. I have another excerpt from MOMMY KAY posted. I know you enjoyed the first one a few years ago... Drop by if you have the chance.
Thanks, Deniz! Still getting rejections, but I am still trying!
Thanks, Hilary... now to complete the rest of the interior....
Thanks, Tyrean! I am so looking forward to a change of scenery!
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