I had a discouraging day yesterday.
I do not count on anybody to maintain observe — heck, I can not preserve observe half the time. But I obtained one other rejection of my e book from one other editor with one other publishing home.
I’ve learn the tales of how lengthy it has taken well-known authors to promote their first novel. A writer has to place a number of money into a brand new e book, and the percentages are slim {that a} author’s first e book will ever earn that money again. Publishers know this and so they’re understandably cautious.
You would assume I might be used to rejection by now. Before I used to be even capable of have my e book learn by publishers, I needed to discover an agent, and they’re swamped with letters from writers who need the identical factor I do — to see their e book out on the planet.
Now that I’ve my great agent, Annie, she is placing a number of time into modifying and dealing to promote my e book, and she or he makes no money in any respect till the e book sells. It is an extended course of. Everything takes months and months, and within the meantime, I preserve writing, as a result of that’s the solely a part of the method I’ve any management over in any respect.
So, once I obtained an “update” from Annie yesterday, I knew from the topic line of the e-mail it might not be excellent news. The observe learn:
“Hi Annie,
Thank you for the chance to learn Carrie’s work. She is a proficient author, and I like the premise for this, however I did not join with the characters fairly as strongly as I’d hoped. It is with remorse that I’m a move, however I hope you land the proper home for this (or maybe have already got!).”
I added this rejection to a file I preserve with the earlier rejection letters. Sometimes I learn the feedback later and, usually, I do not get too discouraged. But yesterday I did.
I used to be grumpy, and I felt greater than just a little sorry for myself. So I took a time off. Instead of writing, I went for an extended walk.
And, as I used to be walking, I instantly considered my finest buddy who died seven years in the past. She was solely 50 years old when she died, and I by no means met a person who was extra alive. I considered how she would chew me out for losing even a part of sooner or later feeling sorry for myself.
“Take a teaspoon of cement, Princess, and harden up!” she would have stated.
She was excellent about saying issues like that, every time I complained that what I used to be doing was too troublesome. I missed her no-nonsense recommendation, her unending encouragement.
“I certain may use you now,” I believed.
And at that second, I noticed I had overpassed a very vital factor. Of course, I write as a result of it makes me completely satisfied. But the explanation writing makes me completely satisfied is as a result of I feel the stuff I write is perhaps helpful.
Maybe my writing will make any individual smile. Maybe somebody will really feel much less alone. Maybe it will likely be used to line the underside of a birdcage. But no matter occurs, I’m hoping it will likely be helpful in some small approach.
It’s probably not about me. Or, as my beloved buddy would say once I obtained too stuffed with myself, “Buy some lumber, build a bridge, and recover from your self!”
She was good at that, as I discussed. She was good at reminding me of what issues and, seven years later, she remains to be so very helpful.
Till subsequent time,
Carrie
