While I’m in the heady first week of NaNoWriMo, where I attempt to write a novel in November, I looked back at my last attempt at a novel. It’s a mid-grade manuscript based on my kids’ swim team life. It explores the struggles with friendships amid jealousy and competitive spirits. Sections of it were published in the Los Angeles Times when they had the Kids’ Reading Room and published children’s fiction in their Sunday comic pages. I hired an editor for a big picture and line- by-line edit. I edited and rewrote it. I created a storyboard based on the book Save the Cat! by Blake Snyder. At some point, I gave up. I think it’s when I took a zoom class which included a critique by the editor giving the lecture. The critique landed in my email box and the editor said he couldn’t imagine reading any more of my manuscript because he couldn’t stand my protagonist — who by the way was based on my daughter when she was nine years old. I was out.
I ran across this blog post I wrote several years ago while I was actively working on that project. I wrote this before the above critique that hurt:
I got an unfortunate email yesterday. It was from an agent, who was reviewing my mid-grade novel I’ve been working on for years. Long story short, it was a no.
This is a big goal of mine, to get this book published. Finding an agent is one step along the way, and I had glimmers of hope when a couple agents were truly interested and one in particular, wanted eight weeks to take a deep dive.
When my husband consoled me I said, “I have two choices. I can quit or keep going.”
Four times since that email, I ran into messages like someone was placing a big neon sign in front of me with specific directions.
One
Dad shared that he spent almost three hours fishing yesterday. He was ready to give up, but decided to cast one more time in the last few minutes before he was due to return the boat. Yes, he caught a fish!
Two
I was looking at FB and a writer friend posted how lucky she was to find several four-leaf clovers yesterday after hours of looking. She said to never give up. Never!
Three
On Twitter, I saw from bestselling author Brad Thor a book recommendation for #Grit, a book about passion and perseverance. Yes, I’ll order it from Amazon today.
Four
On SwimSwam.com, an article jumped before my eyes: “6 TIPS TO KEEP YOU CHASING YOUR SWIMMING GOALS WHEN YOU FEEL LIKE GIVING UP,” by Olivier Poirier-Leroy, who writes really good stuff for swimmers, that can be used in all aspects of life.
Here was part of his advice to get in touch with your feelings when you started on the journey:
“What are the reasons that I want to achieve this goal? List 2-3 reasons for why this goal is important to you. This is the simplest way to get in touch with your original set of motivations.
How will you feel when you push past the resistance you are feeling now? Think back to the last time you kicked down the wall of resistance that was in front of you. Yeah, that time. How did you feel afterwards? Proud? Like a certified O.G.?
Will you regret giving up a year from now? Imagine yourself a year from now. A year smarter, a year older, and hopefully a year further along. Is “Future You” going to be pumped about you having quit today?”
I got the message loud and clear. I’m not giving up on my goals or dreams. This is all part of the process, and yes there will be some ups and downs. It’s so cliched, but it’s also true.
In masters swimming we have a new slogan and shirts. After a hard set that I was convinced I couldn’t finish, I blurted, “Hey, it’s not that bad!”
Yes, getting a rejection letter is not great, but how much better is it than quitting on a dream? Honestly, it’s not that bad.
How do you handle disappointment? Do you believe there are more choices than giving up or to keep trying and what are they? I gave up on that manuscript, but I’m off and running on a new one.
FYI, I read “Grit” and highly recommend it.
Can you self publish this time round? Both the books? Agree, quitting on a dream is not a good idea.
I had the belief self publishing was giving up and wanted to go the traditional route. But times have changed. It’s definitely a possibility.
I hope you publish in any way possible :)..the world needs more books.
Thank you!
Depends on what the disappointment is. Some things I have a harder time shaking off than others
That’s true. I think the comment from the editor came across very snarky and rude. I usually am able to move on better.
It’s also the place we were at on the day something happens…you might have been having a bad day, so it wore on you more
That could be. But, I think it was because the character was based on my daughter. She is very competitive but funny, too. To have this person say they hated her, she was annoying and a spoiled brat (actual words) I took those words to heart. Other editors had said she was very relatable and liked her character but they thought swimming was too niche of a market.
I don’t blame you for taking that to heart…I would too
Thanks.
This is interesting. Last week, I received a rejection letter. This would’ve saddened and defeated old me.
Current me laughed and said, OH MY GAWD, A BIG NYC AGENT LOOKED AT A CHAPTER OF MY BOOK.
Long story short, I’ve decided to forego the querying process entirely and instead self-publish. I believe you should do the same with the rejected manuscript.
Maybe we could self-publish our books at the same time?
🙂
I applied to be on the design team for a company and did not get chosen. I was kind of disappointed when I saw that they had chosen about 30 other people to be on the teams but it made me stop and think about what I had offered as examples of my work and realized that if I was applying to be on the Blog or Instagram design team, I really should have more of my art on my blog/Instagram! Keep going!
Thank you! It’s good to hear your story and keep motivated.
Self publish your book, you wrote it because a little voice inside your head and heart said “Write me, write me!” I believe in you!
That makes me feel so good! Thank you!