Its been a while since I've asked the Writer Chics a question. I generally tie my questions to things that are currently going on with me and things that I've wondered if other writers experience.
So my question is this, and really, any author could answer this, since every one experiences it: How do you stay motivated when you receive rejection letters?
I'm so glad I found your blog!
ReplyDeleteI'm also writing books (I specialize in YA and Fantasy). I finished my first novel a few months ago and have been submitting it to agent after agent, but I either don't get a response at all, or I get rejected. I'm glad that I'm not the only one feeling frustrated about being rejected (not that I'm glad any of you get rejected - but you know what I mean).
I'm just really glad you Writer Chics have started this blog. Any advice on how you deal with the struggles of being an author would be really cool to read.
Thanks!!
This is an interesting question. I completed my first novel in December and began submitting to agents. I too received the same response of rejection. So, by February, I decided to take a hard look at both my query letter and my first fifteen pages (the average number of pages requested by agent submission guidlines). Revising the first fifteen pages after some serious development of my writing style pushed me to continue to revise my entire novel. Ultimately, I halted all submissions and ended up cutting out half of my words, slimming the word count down to 75000, which is within the normal requests for a first time author. My writing style has solidified itself and the plot pulled itself together better than ever. I had to "kill my babies" and cut entire scenes that didn't contribute to the development of the plot or characters, even though I loved them. Now, I'm preparing my query letter to reflect the improvements in my technique and my style, getting my voice to come through the letter itself, not just the sample pages.
ReplyDeleteIt was an amazing exercise for me. I would never have reached the level of writing I'm at if I hadn't been rejected initially. Hopefully this go around will produce much better results. As painful as it is to receive rejection after rejection, the cutting and the rewriting wounds heal and, as for myself, I'm much more satisfied with what work I'm submitting. So, my advice is to stick with it and keep honing your own voice and your craft of writing. Don't give up.