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Wednesday, December 1, 2021

Stress and Delight - IWSG December 2021

 

 

 

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 the amazing and generous  Alex Cavanaugh. Thank you to this month’s co-hosts: PJ Colando, Diane Burton, Louise – Fundy Blue, Natalie Aguirre, and Jacqui Murray! To find links to other IWSG contributors, click here.

This month’s optional question: In your writing, what stresses you the most? What delights you?

Querying and all that goes with causes me the most stress lately. It's challenging and time-consuming to research agents and it seems more often than not, even those who seem like an absolute fit respond with something like: “Intriguing premise and solid writing, but but I'm focusing on _______ (fill in the blank) at this time.” I play mind games with myself before I send a query, rereading my letter a million times for typo’s then waiting until the computer clock lands on a number I like before pressing send. Even-numbers are good. Digits that correspond to important dates are better (say, 7:22 for my birthday). Sometimes I simply wait for a number I like, say 4:56 or 2:22. When it comes to querying, nothing replaces a good story and strong writing, but timing and luck can’t hurt. We’ve all heard tales of agents who turned down a particular project for whatever reason, only to have it end up as a best seller, right? (Woe to those who rejected Harry Potter back in the day!) So, in that vein, I play as many odds as I can. Maybe 4:44 pm is exactly the time all the good juju in the world will land on a particular agent and they’ll fall in love with one of my novels. Okay. It's a stretch, but it isn't hurting anyone!

As for what delights me, well, the writing of course. There’s nothing better than landing in that zone where ideas and words collide and find their way to the page. How grateful I am for the days I sit down to edit a line and look up hours later having lost myself in my story. I suppose the soul-defeating nature of querying is a small price to pay for something that brings such joy.

What causes you stress in writing these days?

14 comments:

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

It is about the timing although maybe not that precise. But keep at it! Maybe 2:22 on a Tuesday is good?

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Liza - an interesting way to move forward with your writing! Equally if it propels you on - then go for it. All the best for the coming year - with lots of completed writing projects - cheers Hilary

Joanne said...

Whatever magic numbers that give mojo must work. Sounds like you are plugging away well and something shall stick. What will be weird is you'll get that thumbs up response on a Friday the 13th at a strange time - ha! Until then - keep writing and enjoying that time flying by. Happy December. Be well.

Nick Wilford said...

Maybe there is something in that - being "in the right place at the right time." How much they've got on their plate at any time plays a part of course, although there's no way for us to divine these variables. I'm glad you can lose yourself in the writing - I'm trying to start a new book while one is out on submission and not finding it very easy. With writing you just have to get rid of all distractions.

Pat Garcia said...

Hi,
I can so relate to what you're saying, but keep on submitting because one day that door is going to open. Just don't give up.

Wishing you Merry Christmas and a great crossover into 2022.

Shalom aleichem,
Pat G @ EverythingMustChange

Natalie Aguirre said...

That's awesome you're querying, even if it is such a hard process. I hope you'll enter my query critique contests by agents. You can enter even if you write outside their genre. It could help your query letter. Hope you are having a good holiday season. You're in my thoughts.

Leigh Caron said...

Oh yeah, querying is so hard for me for all the reasons you mentioned. When I whine about getting writer's block or not enough time to write I think querying I remind myself that writing is the fun part so quit whining.
Wishing you the merriest and healthiest Holiday Season ever!

Diane Burton said...

Magic numbers or time. Hmm. Never gave that a thought. I guess timing is everything. Good luck!

Jan Morrison said...

I'm with you on invoking magic - however you do it! Querying is a pain and being lost in the writing is a joy. Here's hoping that 1-12-21 works for you! My birthday is in there so that's nice. and the time here is 1:21 so perfect!

talklady said...

Getting so immersed in one's own story is high self-praise for your skills, me thinks. I hope that your numerology approach to sending queries works as well.

Are you participating in #PitMad tomorrow?

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

Querying is the worst!!!!! I feel for you! May you QUICKLY find the right fit for your stories.

Shannon Lawrence said...

I actually kinda' like the way you look at it. Querying in other ways hasn't worked for me yet. Why not send when the sending feels right?

Yvonne Osborne said...

I agree one hundred percent. Nothing beats the euphoria of having crafted a perfect sentence and the only way to ease the sting of rejection is to send out another query. Sometimes I think, how much easier to sit on the other end. But would it be as rewarding?

Gina Gao said...

Querying is so tough, but it's something that we have to do.

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