Playing mid in soccer is hard. You have to defend and attack. For most of the indoor season I've been playing this position and last night I wimped out. During the second half, I psyched myself into thinking I could no longer play that position because I was so tired. So I asked someone to switch. After the game, I regretted making that decision and wished I would have made a better effort.Last January I made two resolutions, to write a second book and to get an agent. I accomplished the first one, but like last night, I've kind of psyched myself out of trying for the second.
I sent out a handful of queries at the beginning of the year and didn't get any responses: no fulls, no partials - nothing. So I re-evaluated my book and decided to rewrite the beginning and end, but that's been done for a while. Then I decided to redo my query and write a synopsis. Both of those have been ready to go for a few months, but still I'm reluctant to press send.
So instead of making the goal for 2011 to get an agent, my goal is just to send out as many queries as I can (I'm thinking 100). I need to get over my fear of failure. I might become the queen of rejections, but I need to be okay with that, because the last thing I want is to look back at 2011 and wish that I would have made a better effort.
25 comments:
I think it's important to send out the queries if you think the book is ready, but I wouldn't send 100 all at once. I'd do it in groups of 5 or 10 at the most. If you get any feedback you can adjust and send out more. Of course, what do I know? I don't have an agent. That's just advice I've read online.
Fantastic on the work you've done so far. Very very cool. Keep writing and never give up.
Happy Winter,
-Whisk
Question -- which do you fear more?
Rejection of the book?
Or complete lack of faith in yourself?
C'mon baby, get that fight back up, dig out those researched agents and get ready to hit send. If I can do this (and keep writing) so can you.
I am just like you . . . hesitating to send those queries, but this is the year. Time to get over my fear. :)
I'm with you on doubting myself. I'd send out a few, and then stop for months wondering if I'd done something stupid. Then I'd look over my work and decide it was ready try again and freeze up. I think focusing on the process rather than the result will help me do better. good luck on the next year!
I think that's a great goal, although I agree with lotusgirl to maybe send them out in batches. That's what I've done. I do have a partial out right now so can't query that novel but I'm about ready to query the one I just finished. Good luck!
I'd never send out a hundred queries all at once. I was thinking a few at a time, but up to a 100. Sorry about the confusion.
You've got a great attitude. At some point, you just have to dive in.
Send those queries! :-)
Yep, queries are difficult to send, but you can do it! Well, as long as you're certain your manuscript is truly ready to send--I suppose you'd have to decide if THAT is the true reason you're balking. Regular nerves versus doubts that your "baby" is ready to be sent out in the world. If the latter, maybe another beta reader or critter would help solidify your feelings?
Congratulations on writing your book! I agree with lotusgirl, send out a few queries at a time. But do send them!
Yes, Patti, do it! You can't be afraid of rejections.
I know it's hard especially without any requests. But definitely keep trying! While working on something new to keep you excited when the Rs come, which hopefully they won't!
Fear of failure is so defeating. I have it too.
Good luck!
Your new goal is something YOU control. It's powerful. You'll send queries and do your best.
(I'm not a fan of setting goals you really can't control--getting an agent in a year is not something you have control over. The agents are in control of that one!)
What a great goal! Focusing on what you do instead of on the response you get.
Get your work as ready as it can be and then send it out in small batches. You can use feedback to improve it on the way. :) Best of luck. If you keep at it, you'll get there. :)
Angela @ the Bookshelf Muse
I'm supposed to be living by proxy through your success. So hurry up and query.
Hurray! Do it!! You can do it!!!
I'll hold your hand and we can jump in together. I was in the same position as you. I'm still nervous to give it another go. Fortunately I'm in love with my new wip, so rejections on my other project won't be quite so painful. :)
You've already achieved 1 of your goals -- & be proud of that accomplishment. So many people say they can or should write a book but never do. You did.
Search for an agent, but also look for a publisher. & don't get discouraged.
It's important to make goals that you can control. You can't control getting an agent.... but you CAN control sending your work out.
100 is a great goal. I found the query process addictive once I got into it. :) It's a roller coaster, for sure, but not a terrible one.
You're at the scary part. After the first one goes out maybe it will be easier.
I don't think we ever get over the fear of failure; we just learn to work through it by not giving up. If you sent out 100 queries and still get rejections or no response, then send out another 100 queries! Just don't give up. Eventually you will hit the right person on the right day and get the response you've been waiting to hear. If you don't do anything, you can't fail nor can you succeed. So, go ahead, send out those queries!
:)
AWESOME goal!!! You can totally do it! I have two friends that took until 200 queries, so don't give up. =)
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