I'm ready to send out my first query letter. Right? Well, you would think so after reading the above. Ok then, why haven't I done it? This is the question that was haunting me when I woke up this morning....and still is. Instead of systematically sending out letters to potential agents, I keep going back to my proposal and the chapters in my memoir and re-reading them over and over, tweaking here and there....and actually re-writing in some places.
Am I procrastinating? Or just being careful? After all, I keep hearing from authors, editors, and writing experts how important it is to have you work perfectly polished before you sending it to an agent. And that's what's getting to me. Is this the best I can do. Honestly, I don't think so...but then again I'm one of those people who always thinks she can do better. It just occurred to me that maybe I need some imput from my virtual friends.
So...what would you do?
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If you honestly don't think it's the best you can do, take another look. That little voice in your head is usually right. Onward! You'll get there!
ReplyDeletePatricia, thanks so much for commenting. You just may be right about this. I love the "Onward!" advice...sounds like something I'd say to myself!
ReplyDeleteNancy, I think you need to figure out if this is a case of the nerves or if you truly don't think the manuscript is ready. I have a feeling that deep down, you already know the answer.
ReplyDeleteYou can definitely take another look, just to be sure. Have you had someone take a look at your query letter, too? It's just as important to get feedback on that as the ms.
ReplyDeleteOr, you might just be terrified of querying, which is totally understandable. Querying somehow makes the whole thing *real*, and can take some getting used to. If that's the case, I would start out sending one or two queries at a time and see what kind of response you get. That's how I started out querying, and I often incorporated the feedback before sending off another query. It was slow going in the beginning, but it kept me from burning through my list too quickly. Once my feedback was pretty consistent (as in, 'This is good, but not for me'), then I started sending out a lot more queries at a time. It worked well for me.
Honestly, though, this process is just as daunting as writing an entire novel, so don't berate yourself for dragging your feet. :)
I think I might get stuck at this point too. You've done all your preparation, it means a great deal to you, and now it's the moment of truth and time to take a deep breath and walk through that door. Maybe give yourself one more deadline - say one more week to look over your work or longer if you think you need it, circle the date on the calendar, and get the stamped envelope ready to send.
ReplyDeleteI may disagree with Patricia just from my personal experience. I rewrote and rewrote and rewrote the first few pages of my book so many times, I realized I had to stop and let it fly free.
ReplyDeleteOnly rewrite if you have a GOOD reason to. For example, I thought I had a finished product, so I brought it to my weekly writer's group. They had a ton of helpful suggestions, which I later implemented. Then I gave the first few chapters to a close writer friend, and he told me, "Strip out this entire section. Start the story 10 pages in." He was SO right!
So if it's just your fear of the unknown preventing you, pick up a billy club and show that fear what's what. If you have legitimate reasons to withhold your query and rework it, then take that advice, rework it pronto, and get it out the door!
If it's really got that stroke of genius in it, a few words in the wrong place won't make a difference. I'm sure you have genius in you, so just get it out there. And if you get rejections, then make some changes and TRY AGAIN! :) :)
Send a handful, and see what happens?
ReplyDeleteWow, Kiersi, This is so encouraging. I keep forgetting that I can send my query out and still work on my MS and proposal. I do have one more place I want to send the first half of my book...to a professional editor who gave me a lot of valuable feed back. I implemented her suggestions and she's going to take a look at the rewrites. I trust her judgment. So will probably go ahead and do that. It really helps to hear what other writers are doing though. Thanks so much.
ReplyDeleteSara, I think I will do just that. As I said in my comment to Kiersi, I can still do some re-writes if I want to, even after I send my queries out. Sending just a few sounds like a good idea. Of course, if I do get any positive responses I'll still be worried about whether or not the ms, or even the book proposal, is polished enough. Thanks, Sara....you girls are great!!
ReplyDeleteCarol, You are so level-headed. I love your suggestions. You always come through. Thanks so much.
ReplyDeleteTabitha, I actually worked on my query letter for quite a while and got a lot of good feedback and help from Ahe Writers. I think it's in pretty good shape. But you have hit on what I think is my main fear,"...querying, which is totally understandable. Querying somehow makes the whole thing *real*, and can take some getting used to."
ReplyDeleteI think send a couple letters at a time is probably a good idea. I'm going to wait a week, like Carol suggested, then get the ball rolling. Thanks so much for the support.
Kelly, Great suggestion...so simple and straightforward. I think you're absolutely right. Thanks so much for taking the time to comment.
DeleteI can so relate to this as a memoir writer. After I sent out my first query, then I decided to keep going until I sent out 3 or 4 in one day. The feeling afterward was amazing. Utter relief.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sonia, Thanks so much for the comment. I'm getting a little closer to my first Q-Day. Just doing a little last minute polishing.
ReplyDeleteLooks like you and I are in the same place - in terms of completing the ms. I know what you are feeling because I am too. My view is what the heck, I am going to take the plunge. I am scared, of course, but I was feeling this way when I started writing the book and I survived. Yesterday when I started to look at agent's websites I had a panic, which is probably not the last time I will feel this way. Still, I am going forward. I am ready. Go for it. We can knock knees together.
ReplyDeleteGood for you, Brenda....I mean about taking the plunge. I know the feeling you're talking about when you start looking for agents. Your supposed to check out the genres they're interested in, the books they've published, their bkgd, and personalities, etc. etc.....so it takes forever. Are you using Query Tracker. It's really helpful. OK so we'll both go for it!! Keep in touch. Let me know what's going on.
ReplyDeleteWell, how's it going now? I have started and I am scared.. teeth chattering.
ReplyDeleteIt's going...but slowly. I sent you an elaborated message on She Writes
ReplyDeleteI can so relate to this. I'm more afraid of sending something out and realize I did something wrong (e.g., not send a SASE) than I am of rejection.
ReplyDeleteJulie, It seems to be the way just about everyone feels. I still haven't started sending any queries out. I've identified around 40 agents to start with, but I stopped and sent my first three chapters to an editor friend of mine so she could take another final look. This is ridiculous. I know I'm just gonna have to take the plunge soon!! Thanks for your comment :=)
ReplyDeleteHi Nancy.. It was I (brenda from passionate pursuits) who left you the message about agent jitters. I've emailed you a couple of times but I receive a message saying 'server is still trying to deliver message).. :-) Hang in there, woman, you have a lot going on.
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DeleteYou know what threw me (besides my state of mind right now LOL)? the avatar you're using here. It's not the one you usually use. I love what you wrote about your daughter on your site. I can relate. I have two daughters.
DeleteIs this the email you used? alekhouse@aol.com? There were times when I didn't open my 150 or so email, maybe that's why you got that message. I finally just deleted them all.