It's IWSG Day. The goal of this blog hop is to share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds. IWSG is the brainchild of Alex Cavanaugh. To find links to other IWSG contributors, click here. Thank you to the March co-hosts: Sarah - The Faux Fountain Pen Jacqui Murray, Chemist Ken, Victoria Marie Lees, Natalie Aguirre, and JQ Rose
I have a quote typed on a piece of paper, which may be, but probably isn’t by George Eliot, sitting on my bureau where I see it every morning
“It’s never too late to be what you might have been.”
I read it recently while pondering my changed status in life. Now that I’m not what I used to be, what is it I want to be? —other than what I used to be, but that’s a never-ending loop. That day, clear as crystal, the quote reminded me of one big want that hasn’t changed. I want to see my name on the spine of a book.
Those of you who visit here regularly will understand why sending out queries slowed to a dry-stream trickle these last long months. But the quote reminded me. There can still be forward progress in my life. To that end, I made a goal to get one or two query letters out every weekend for the foreseeable future. I want to think it’s a numbers game. If (note I underlined that word), my writing is good enough, eventually I’ll find the right agent for it. That won’t happen if I am not sending out queries.
The fact is, I have two completed books. One for which I’ve sent out something like seventy queries over the course of a few years (even stopping the querying and working with an editor to perform an overhaul in the middle of it). I received requests for partial and full manuscripts, but sadly, nothing more happened and I let the querying drift away while working on another book.
Now that I am researching agents for the second book (while writing yet another), I seem to be finding more agents who would be interested in the first one, which I’m not ready to toss aside. So, last weekend, once I challenged myself to get back into full query mode, I sent out three for the first book, and two for the second. I don’t advise doing it like this. Anyone who has queried knows it’s not an easy task. My brain was churning. But still, on we go.
The quote, which George Eliot may or may not have authored, says so very much. Regardless of where we are in life, we can move forward. We can set goals and we can chase them. It’s never too late. All it takes is a willing heart— and in my case, a fair bit of brain-scramble.
What goals have you put on hold? What are your plans for re-energizing them?
25 comments:
I live by that mantra, at my age I have to, and it keeps me going 🌹
I wish I'd written this! I could've. I've two completely finished edited manuscripts and I'm working on a third. I actually have two older ones as well, but they both need significant work. It is so hard to keep the faith. I think, if it's okay with you I will join you in your challenge. Maybe we could keep each other going? Report in? Tell me what you think.
Never too late to make a change.
Keep querying those stories. Try publishers as well. Don't give up until you see your name on that spine.
I admire your determination. Querying is brutal. I self-pub'd a book last year. The writing part was easy, but the marketing part was daunting. I quit and started writing another book. I'll start marketing it again this summer.
Perfect quote and I admire your hard work and dedication to the craft. I have no doubt it will happen for you.
Good for you, Liza! I think I'm going to *steal* that quote.
Other than my big walking challenge, I don't really have any big goals right now. I'm just focusing on moving in a positive direction, whether that's for health, writing, etc. Good luck to you, Liza! :)
You're pushing forward with your goals, which is great. You've had interest before, so I'm absolutely sure the right agent is still out there for you.
Hi Liza - you'll get there ... it's that beautiful word 'perseverance' isn't it - keep querying, but keep writing too ... stay safe - Hilary
It's hard to find your way when the life you loved isn't there anymore. It's good that you're asking questions about where you go from here. I admire that you are pursuing your dream of writing again and querying. You should enter my query critique contests even if the agent doesn't accept what you're writing. It might give you some good feedback.
For me, it took me until 2020 to get into regular writing again, and I'm hoping to finish my second-in-my-life manuscript this year.
That quote hit me hard. Thank you.
Good luck querying and never give up on what you want. You will see your name on the spine of a book.
Good for you! I know it isn't easy, but I'm glad to know you're moving forward. Keep writing :)
I admire your querying goals. You'll find the right places for your books!
Best wishes for querying and fulfilling that dream.
Liza, you are an inspiration to us all. You're such a talented writer, and I know all of your hard work will pay off. I truly admire your strength and determination, and you only deserve good things.
Julie
Way to go, Liza! Wishing you success with those query letters. Take care!
I admire your pesistence and determination and work ethics. You go, GRRL. I love this quote and am going to share it in my FB group for life storytellers. It's never too late!
JQ Rose
Whether it really was George Eliot or just some random schmo, they're right! It's never too late.
It's all about finding the right agent or editor and sometimes that takes a while.
Glad to hear you're writing another story while trying to find the right editor/agent. Keep going. One of my fav quotes (not sure who said/wrote it): If not now, when? That reminds me to try something I want to do because we never know how much time we have left.
You are correct. It is never too late to make a change. More power to you. Good luck with ALL your manuscripts, my dear. Be safe and have a beautiful Sunday!
I'm so glad to hear you're getting back into the query ocean. It sounds like you're so close with those requests for partials and fulls. Best wishes for getting what it is you want for you.
Good for you, Liza~
I am exactly in the same boat as you as far as getting many bites from agents and non wanting to represent my first two books. Querying is stressful and depressing and one does have to step away for a while before starting over again. I am trying to finish my third book and I will begin querying again, like you.
Your words will be read and you name will appear on a book spine. I have read many of your blog posts and your writing is beautiful. I have great faith in your talent and I know some day soon an agent will contact you. Your life is starting over and although it has been a very difficult road for you, I know you have the strength to continue. We all believe in you.
It's like the lottery, you can't win if you don't play! Good luck :)
Post a Comment