My life changes today. Big change. I'm working full-time and that is a huge praise.
In honor of this change, I decided this past Friday to do something different. To do something I've been putting off for awhile.
Mostly put off because I was chicken.
What did I do?
I took the plunge. Yeah, I finally did. I queried an agent who I've been petrified of querying forever.
I'm not giving names here. We all have our agents who stand out in our minds. You know the ones. The ones you would die to have represent you but you know if you send in your latest WIP, you'll die when they reject it. Because then it will seem like the end of the road. After all, if they don't want it, will anyone else?
If you read some of the comments in my last post, you will be encouraged as I was.
Some people like black shoes. Some like brown.
So this agent may or may not like my query. What's important here is I tried. Finally. And I'll live with the verdict. After all, maybe my story isn't black or brown.
Maybe I'll need to find that person who likes pink.
When was the last time you went out on a limb with your writing?
45 comments:
Good luck with the query. I like the way you describe it--going out on a limb. I think one of the ways we improve as writers is by going out on limbs. Thanks for the reminder to keep pushing myself. It's easy to forget or not realize that you've fallen into a rut and need to climb out. I'm going to look for a limb now.
Eeeh! How exciting for you! ON both aspects! Good luck!
Jenni
You're so right Terri. It's subjective and to be rejected feels horrible, but it's really not personal. There will be an agent out there who ADORES pink. Not only that, but can sell it. :-)
I queried an agent too. She rejected one manuscript and I'm so nervous about the next one. It's a different genre too. Blick. Thining about it makes me feel nauseated. Ack.
I hope you have a wonderful, blessed day at work!
Terri,
Good morning and congrats on your job?
For me, every time I hit the post button on my blog, is going out on a limb in my flesh but with my Spirit I know that I know this is what God has for me.
Lovingly,
Yolanda
I feel like I go out on a limb regularly. A risky sentence. Reaching out to someone from a distance. Trying a new POV. Editing sentences I thought I liked, holding the delete button wanting to cry as they disappear...
I queried over a year ago as a dare to myself and was glad to garner some interest.
I hope to go out on a limb every single day of my life. That's where the living takes place.
I hope your first day is a HUGE HIT!
~ Wendy
Terri: I am so proud of you, girl! And God may surprise you. This agent may say, "I love your writing-let's make a deeeeeeeal!"
Blessings on your first day at a new job. You are gonna do wildly magnificently wonderfully great!
BTW...love the pic!
I remember a story I wrote and shared with my writing group. They loved it and gave me all kinds of positive strokes, but I wasn't convinced that it was good enough. I thought they were being too kind. But because they encouraged me to submit it, I went out on a limb and I did. And it won a contest!!!
Girl...GOD keeps tossing me out on limbs. He is scaring the life out of me lately.
Hugs,
andrea
Cant wait to hear about your first day. And what a great thing you did for your writing career to send that query! Your life is changing for the better. It's about time! Blessings!
I know the exact feeling you're talking about. That happened to me when I parted ways with my agent, then again when I hit "send" on a ms sent to an editor. Congratulations on overcoming your hesitation :D
Praise the Lord! I'm so happy that you are back in the workforce. I know this has been your prayer for some time.
Good for you- stepping out on faith. Your story is sure to prick some interest.
tell us how the new job goes and the query. I'm still writing my latest project children's poems but have reached out for critiques from some experienced poets, took their suggestions and then considered what I really wanted to say.
Congratulations on sending out the query! And to your "top" prospect. That is huge. It sounds simple, just put the letter in an envelope and mail it. But it's not. Not at all.
On another note, I gave you an award today on my blog.
Helen
Straight From Hel
If you've tried something and failed, you are vastly better off, than if you had tried nothing and succeeded. Favorite quote of mine!
Hope you'll join me for how "Cupid Shot Me" day at my bog www.dianeestrella.com :O)
Good for you on your query. Praying for God's favor!
Good for you!!! Praying you hear good news!
Throwing your heart out there is really hard. Congrats on taking the leap, and I'm sure whatever the answer is, God will bless you through it.
Sooo happy about your job! I'm still smiling. And yay for the query. It DOES feel like going out on a limb but it also shows your passion and confidence in your work.
I'll pray for wonderful news!
Congrats on the full-time job and sending your writing in to the agent. I hope it all works out! I Love the new attitude you have adopted bout the situation! :)
What wonderful, amazing growth! I knew it; I just knew it would be the result of that terribly long, sometimes dark journey.
You go girl!
Kathleen
Congrats on taking that big step, Terri! Hope your first day of work goes well!
I'm so excited for you and your new job! I pray the Lord blesses you in your new endeavors.
Best wishes on the query!
Sweet Friend,
I'm so happy for you. You took that giant leap and may God give you a most wonderful, exhilarating, rewarding landing in all ways that will be absolutely for His glory. He's had His eye on you precious one and I pray this leap and landing is a finely designed one for you that will bless you and so many out there abundantly.
Love you,
Alleluiabelle
Oh, I hope it goes well for you Terri! The job and the query.
I tend to play it safe with my writing, but this morning I wrote a scene that will change the whole story. I felt nervous about it while I was writing, but I really like how it turned out. Taking risks is what this business is all about, right?
Terri congrats on the agent. It seems as if things are FINALLY falling into place for you!
Hope your job is as equally rewarding as your writing is for you. Good luck and God bless. ginny
Whoop whoop! Good for you! and how exciting - a new job, going out on a limb - so proud and happy of your and for you! *smiling*
Congrats on starting the new job, Terri.
I'm working on my Genesis contest entry right now. Putting my work out there for critique by authors, agents, and publishers is scary.
Blessings,
Susan :)
You go, my friend! Best of luck on the new job. You may be sending so much positive vibes right now that the query will take you places never imagined. Keep us posted!
For me, posting on my blog is taking the plunge every single time. (I've only been doing it for 2 months)
Maryse
I hope your writing finds the PERFECT fit. Glass slipper on Cinderella's foot. :)
Good for you! Sometimes guts pay off! Congrats on your first day too!
Ooh-last year when I queried. It wasn't pretty. But my story is the better for it... and now I need the guts to do it again!
Good for you! I pray for peace as you wait!
Congrats on all these milestones! It must feel good to have taken this step. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Praying for you in all your endeavors.
Blessings:)
Karen
More power to you and I agree with your sentiments...I gave up due to several rejections, and through fear of more.
Good luck and God bless with the query.
You've started a new job and you sent a query letter. I think that's a great start for the new year. Whatever happens, keep trying.
Way to go! That query -- the one you love -- is the hardest one to send! Congrats!
Good for you, Terri! Can't wait to cheer with you when you land that agent...whether it's this one or another.
:-)
Terri, You go girl.
Sending a query is a big step. I have not gotten there yet so I look at you as a role model.
Starting a new job is going out on a limb too, is it the right one, will I like it, will I be good at it? I hope that your answer to these questions will be yes.
Blessings in everything you step out in, whether it is in black, brown or pink shoes.
Good for you!! Finding courage is vital in this business. Can't wait to hear all about it!
Well said. I feel the exact same way. If I don't send the queries there's still hope, but if I send and they're rejected all hope is gone.
I wish you all the luck in the world.
That is fantastic that you did this! We should all go out on a limb every single day with something in our lives, no matter how simple or complex. Eat a little better, submit your writing, exercise a little longer, kiss a little longer, hug a little more, talk a little more. Just my take.
Congrats on doing, what sounds like, overcoming a little fear that was holding you back. A breakthrough, I'd say.
Way to go Terri!!!! That's sooo cool. Praying and believing for the best but even if....you did it!!! You took the risk!!!
At a conference last year a well known agent told me memoirs were out and to not even try. I released my book Dec. 9th and have sold more than 100 copies and six bookstores are now carrying it. Today I sold another five and invitations to speak at women's centres,sexual assualts centres and church groups have been coming in. I still need courage to follow through on those but I took a risk...I knew it was right. I've learned...God was my agent all along...
Good for you! It's hard to put ourselves out there like that, but you did it!
What an encouraging post. I hope you hear YES...
Terri, I hope the new job is going well, although I'm sure easing back into the work place will have its moments. Congrats on sending out that query. Here's to good news in return.
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