Snow is my friend

Since this pile of white mush decided to cover my state, I have gotten several thousand words written on Fairville, sent out one partial, and sent two more queries on All the Back Roads Home.

I've also eaten half a large mushroom and onion pan pizza (no cheese, please), five breadsticks, and goodness knows how much of Fey's cranberry double-chocolate sweet bread.

So. January brings succes and weight gain. I can live with that.

New Year, Same Gig.

There is nothing like sending out query letters to turn a confident woman into a bundle of nerves. I'm always sure I could have done it better, written it smarter--oh, GAWD, did I forget the attachment? Was I supposed to include an attachment? Did I spell my own name right?

'Tis true, dear Reader, that I proofread these queries before I send them out.

Just like Aunt Mildred turns off the stove before leaving on vacation, then worries for the first 500 miles that she forgot to.

Well, writing is not for the weak of mind or spirit.

How Convenient!

Writer Unboxed posted this article. I'd been wondering whether or not it was worth sending out queries during the holidays.

These are the Days I Will Smile Upon

...when I'm a successful, published writer. I will look back over the ever-growing stack of rejections and think, that was the real world. That was trying. That was moving beyond my comfort zone and facing rejection in order to finally realize my dreams.

And I will remmeber that, despite the rejection, it was still a pretty wonderful time.

So. Next query goes out. Allons-y!

Queries, Queries, Queries

Finishing my first novel was just the beginning. I'm at that point in my process now that I have to get out there, to really focus on what makes my book special, what makes it sale-worthy, and why an agent would want to take a chance on a previously unpublished author.

It's a humbling and daunting process. I'm learning a lot about myself, and about the industry. I'm just grateful that I have a mentor who knows the ropes and who can remind me that, this too shall pass. It's not enough to have talent, but having talent makes it much easier.

I just have to be peristent through this part of it.