Hello gentle reader,
this week again I’m taking part in the Thursday’s Children meme hosted by Rhiann Wynn-Nolet and Kristina Perez. It is “a weekly blog hop where writers come together to talk about whatever inspires them.”
Today’s post is a bit personal. I very seldom indulge in sharing my personal feelings on this blog, but my hope is that other writers will recognize themselves in what I describe below, and maybe find their motivation renewed by the knowledge they’re not alone in this.
So I haven’t had the best week. Lots of rejections and disappointments.
– One of my short stories I was hoping to publish in an anthology was rejected
– A query for my YA Epic Fantasy (which I have stopped querying since December) was rejected this week by an agent
– I’ve started to get feedback on my WIP Lily In The Shadows and some beta readers are, well, less enthusiastic than others.
– And no matter how hard I try, I can’t seem to be able to write a catchy query for Lily In The Shadows
So yeah.
Now, I always try to stay positive. I know this publishing thing doesn’t happen overnight. I’m aware the key here is to keep reading, keep writing, keep submitting, and never give up. I don’t rant on Twitter or Facebook at the first disappointment.
But still. What a week. So I wrote an email to my CP Jessy Montgomery, who is amazing and who always knows what to say.
I was like this:
She was like this:
And then like this:
Then I got on Twitter and this happened:
And then I realised something. I’ve had a lot of rejections and disappointments this week. But I’ve also helped Jessy with her query. I’ve helped Allie with her WIP. I’ve helped Rachel with her street team building. I’ve helped Kate with her Twitter issues. I’ve had awesome online conversations with Lauren, Juliana, Laura, Joanna, Em, Lena, Rebekah, Emmie and Serena.
I’m part of the writing community. And I believe in paying it forward.
This week wasn’t about me and my writing. It was about everybody else’s writing and success.
Next time it might be my turn. Next time it might be yours.
But for now I have all of you and I’m so incredibly grateful for that.
Thank you.
Have a great writing week!
EM Castellan 
Seriously, the writing community is so fab! The best part is we’re all in this together. Also the gifs are AWESOME 🙂
Glad we agree 🙂 Thanks for stopping by and following!
First, I’m sorry you’ve had a not-so-great week (hugs). We all have them and they suck. The road to publishing is full of perils and that is why having a team, being helpful when you can and accepting help when you need it, is really essential. As for queries, I think writing them requires a special talent that is different from writing a book. Some people are awesome query-writers and I envy them. Judging QueryKombat gives me a whole new appreciation for those who can, and great sympathy (with a wince of self-recognition) for those who struggle. Fortunately some agents pay much more attention to the writing sample…
Somehow helping other writers with their query letter is much easier than writing my own 😉 Thanks for your support!
Oh, I totally agree. For one, we know ALL THE THINGS in our own books and it’s hard to distill 80K or so into a catchy, succinct letter.
Oh, sweetheart, you ARE awesome!
And I love our convos too, you know!
Unfortunately, the writing/publishing career path has lots of ups and downs, and I dare say that it has a lot more downs than ups. On the bright side, we have our friends that understand us and are there to catch us.
Well, if you need me, you know where to find me!
❤
Aww, you’re awesome too! Couldn’t do it without you 🙂
What a lovely post!!! So sorry to hear of your craptastic week – I wrote a similar post last year (but without the positive spin – so BIG kudos to you!!!). This writing community is amazing and there’s nothing like some CP love to pull a girl out of the gutter! Best to you!
Sorry to hear that you’ve had a bad week writing-wise. But in a way it’s helpful to me to hear that other writers get rejected too, not just me! Best of luck for next week – things can only get better! 🙂
You’re definitely not alone! Thanks and have a great week too!
Oh, muffin!! This was a great post. I’m sorry it’s been a yuck week over there. Next week will be better. You contribute so much to the community. (You do – we need you!) I’m glad it can pick you up when you need it. All the love!!
Thanks Lauren! I couldn’t do it without our Twitter convos 😉
Beautiful post and you ended it on such a great note. We all understand, we’ve all been in your shoes–the wet ones, with the hole in the bottom and a creak in the step. I believe in paying it forward, too–what you put out there comes back a hundred-fold, not always the way we imagine, but usually the way we need it too. Blessings.
*to (yes, I’m nerdy enough to correct that typo in a separate comment)
I love nerdy people lol! Thanks for stopping by my blog and for your kind words. Hope you have a great week!
Thanks for a great post! It’s inspirational to read about your thoughts, and I think it’s fine to share some personal stories about writing and publishing 🙂
Thanks for stopping by!
*hugs you and never lets go* I totally love you. I’m so sorry your week sucked. I know EXACTLY how you feel. And you did the right thing by falling into sadness then picking yourself up again. We deserve to wallow in darkness every now and again before rejoining the light. Good things WILL happen for you. Keep the faith, sweetie. And thank you so much for understanding and helping me with my computer/Twitter illiteracy.
*hugs back and never lets go either* Thank you for always being so supportive, it means a lot, Kate. ❤
“This week wasn’t about me and my writing. It was about everybody else’s writing and success.”
I. So. Needed. This.
Sometimes it’s hard to remember the “community” part of “writing community”, especially when it’s raining in your own paper castle. Been there. Recently, even. But it sounds like you had a great “aha” moment in spite of -or because of- it. And if it makes you feel any better, you just sparked an “aha” moment for me, too!
Sally forth, madame. Sally forth.
Sometimes we all need to know we’re not the only ones going through – so thanks so much for sharing this very hard week. I think your stories are amazing (and wouldn’t not be adverse to any more drafts landing in my inbox either – just sayin… ;)), your blog is always inspirational – and you even do having a bad day with style (and pie!).
Take heart my friend, you will totally be picked up by some very lucky agent. And until then – your writing community totally has you. Keep writing and see you in the trenches!
Thank you Raewyn. As always, you’re kind and awesome 🙂
Your writing and this post speak to me. I’ve had a week of hard, too, but like you, I need to remember ‘it’s not always about me.” Hugs. Thanks.
I’m going to look for you on twitter, you’re the kind of friend I’d like to have.
http://www.miaceleste.com/?p=341
This came at the right time for me. I’ve actually had a hard few months in the query trenches, but your post made me realize how much I’ve enjoyed helping others: working with my CPs, beta-reading for other writers, and cheering on people in contests like The Writers’ Voice.
Also, I love the premise for Lily in the Shadows, so if you need another beta reader, let me know!
Being in the query trenches is definitely not easy, best of luck with your story! And thanks for stopping by and commenting!
It has been a rough few months around here, too. But it will pay off with the right agent at the right time. Until then, hang on by your toenails and keep writing!
~Dannie @ Left to Write
Ohhhh honey, I am so sorry you’ve had a crappy week! I know how ukky this can be. 😦 You are such a beautiful, wonderful person for continuing to give to all of your friends while feeling down yourself. I know you’re going to make it through all these rejections to success. I KNOW IT.
(Also, I had a horrible month all around, so extra snuggles, cookies, tea and Dollhouse rewatching marathons. I wish I could come drop in on your couch and we could down some chocolate in the true spirit of writerly solidarity.)
ALL THE HUGS!!!
Okay so you might not want advice from random lurker-follower, but since I’m also an aspiring author, I feel your pain, so I figured I’d say something.
This book: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/515414131 is super-helpful at showing you exactly how the process goes when you submit your manuscript (I know you have to query first, and query letters are terrifying themselves, but the more faith you have in your manuscript, the better, and some agents and editors want a sample as well.) It really helped me wrap my head around the process and improve my writing. More importantly, it helped improve my confidence in my writing. I feel more like I know what I’m doing.
I personally think Lily In The Shadows sounds fascinating and hope to read it in print some day soon! 🙂
Awesome! What a great reminder that we are never a tweet, blog post, or email from someone else who has been in our shoes. Writing is a roller coaster ride for everyone… and we’ve got to be there for each other when one of us hits the lows.
Thanks for sharing!
Dean always makes it better. 😀 It’s hard getting one rejection, let alone a couple in a row. I like your attitude. Stay positive. ((hugs))
Dean Winchester GIFs always make a bad day a fab day. You’re doing awesome! You’re always so supportive of my blog and always up for a conversation, and I totally appreciate that! Your time will definitely come!