Dare I admit that I've sent out a submission?
Patting myself on my back here. I really did! Pinching myself now.
See, if you're like me and the whole self-confidence or lack thereof is an issue, it's not easy to share such a milestone. But there you have it, I've sent a partial out, and you betcha that I'm praying all over it, and praying for a healthy dose of toughness, too.
They say you're not a writer until you've received a hundred rejections. Well, maybe not a hundred, but you know what I mean. Now I've only received two rejections so far in this near nine-year writing journey of mine, and to be honest, one I sent in those very early years when I was way too naive so I don't consider it a serious submission. And I thank the Good Lord for it being rejected!
The other I sent in a rush because I heard this particular house was "hurting" for manuscripts. Now, that story I'd spent a good number of years working on, so the rejection that came did hurt, even if I suspected it would be the outcome despite the years of work I'd done on it. Deep inside I knew I still wasn't ready for publication nor was my writing at that time.
But this time, I feel like this story has real potential. I'm guarding my heart and running through a slew of reasons why a rejection might come back. Not near touching all of them here, but here's a small sampling:
- Your getting there, but your writing just isn't strong enough yet.
- Not a good fit for our readership. Your heroine's too sassy.
- Your characters are two-dimensional.
- Your plot is weak.
- Sorry, already bought a similar one.
Need I go on?
So as I prepare myself for my next rejection, I'm also preparing myself for a miracle! I like to burn candles at both ends it would seem.
I continue to polish and re-polish this manuscript as I wait, and will move onto a new project soon--a sequel to this story. And I'm looking forward to taking Deborah Raney's ACFW Loop Course, The Business End of Writing.
If you're interested in joining me in taking this homework-free course, you can sign up by going to www.acfw.com and logging on. Click "Get Connected" on the top bar. Choose E-loops and subscribe to the ACFW Course Loop.
Hope to see you there!
Surrendering to Him,
Eileen
Dare I admit that I've sent out a submission? 
17 comments:
Good for your for sending one out! Now send it someplace else:) I usually query about 20 at a time and then watch those rejections or requests come in. Glad you took this step--it is the hardest!
Woohoooo! Congrats, Eileen! Sometimes it helped me to send stuff out to agents knowing they might reject me, but just having those first few rejects helped somehow.
I'm hoping this turns into a request for a full! :-)
Yay, Good for you! I need to check out that course.
Oh to answer your questions, Trunk or Treating is an alternative, usually churches do it. People decorate the inside of their trunks with lights and all kinds of stuff and kids walk car to car getting candy! Usually, they have bounce houses, food, and sometimes games!
That's great! Congrats.
I'm on that course loop too. :)
Congrats Eileen! NaNoWriMo is the perfect time to start that sequel ;)
Exciting step, Eileen! I join you in prayer that God present your words before the audience of His chosing in the season that He has carved for your story.
Praying with you, Eileen! I'll be downright stunned if the editor doesn't request the full. The proposal is very strong.
Way to go, Eileen! It does take courage to send anything, be it by email or by the regular post. But it gets easier as time goes by (I think). Sending lots of prayers that the editor/agent loves it!
Cheers,
Sue
Awesome! Awesome! Awesome!
Keeping you in my prayers.
Congrats on sending that out--that's a huge step!
Woohoo!!! Congratulations on jumping into the submission waters, Eileen!
Good for you sending out your work. I wish it, and you, well.
Also, caught up a little on your blog. Glad your daughter is ok after the fall. How terrifying.
Yay you!!!
Congratulations on taking the plunge, Eileen!!
All the best for your submission, Eileen - keep us posted!
Thanks all. It's all part of the journey, right!
And I'm looking forward to starting on my next project. Rubbing hands together here. Anticipating the fun of discovering new characters and what troubles they can get into.
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heatherheaton@rocketmail.com
http://www.heather-heaton.com
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Customer/Reader Review of “Her Letters from Prison”
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Parole Officer
State of Alabama – Board of Pardons & Parole
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