Ready to Quit!

[Amy Spitzley]

Oh, not that group, Robin--my in-person one. Ours is chaotic, but good. (grin)
AMY

[ixtumea]

I understand what your going through.  I've also been pretty down this month. 

I decided to continue working on my revision and send it out to those I promised but I'm waiting until January to start agent hunting again.  In the meantime I plan on working on my WIP and reading all those Cybil nominated books.  I'm a panelist this year.   

[Mussel Bound]

Since this thread started nearly two years ago, long before many of us joined the blue boards (including me), I just wanted to point out that Jay Asher started it, and his career is now taking off like a rocket with his Thirteen Reasons Why.  And back then he was floundering and truly ready to give it up, and look where he is now. Not only enjoying success, but giving back by helping those of us who haven't made it yet.

So hang in there everyone, apparently this trench's walls aren't all greased, and there is a path to claw up and out.  Don't give up!!

 : : :

[Amy Spitzley]

Very true and quite inspirational, Becky, but let me just be the one to say what all of you are thinking, if you're anything like me...(and if you're not, color yourselves lucky!!)

I don't wanna wait two years!!!!!!!!!

Okay, I'm done now. And I'm still not giving up! (grin)
AMY

[Jay]

I don't wanna wait two years!!!!!!!!!

That's the beauty...you don't have to!  When I started this thread, I only had to wait eight months before the first offer came in.

Eight months sounds doable, right?

[hazelnut]

I don't wanna wait two years!!!!!!!!!

No one does. But like or not, a lot of authors have had to wait a long time, often longer than two years to find a publisher. And believe me, once I find a publisher, if it takes two years to get the manuscript onto the bookshelves, that's fine by me.

[Rhonda]

((hugs)) to everyone out there who is frustrated, who feels so close to breaking through. I'm in the same boat--I know I'm close...I just need to be patient. When I start doubting myself, I try to snap out of it, saying, if I don't believe in me, why should anyone else?

We CAN do this, folks!!

[ixtumea]

I know the feeling about not wanting to wait two years.  Believe me, I do!  Jay, your story is amazing.  I hope some of that fairy dust that's been on this board can sprinkle down on me! 

It's been fun to read of all the success stories from this board--Melissa, Jay, and now Jackson.  I know we can do it.  Si, se puede!!!

Kim

[Amy Spitzley]

Eight months does sound a little better, Jay. (grin) And absolutely no offense to you, hazelnut, but that whole "like it or not" aspect of this business...ugh. OF COURSE  I don't like it! But I'll bitch a little and get over it...and not give up. Did I tell you guys I'm not giving up? Will the writing gods please take note?! (hee-hee)
AMY
Oh, P.S.--Hi Kim! (grin)

[Mussel Bound]

Did anyone else notice that Rhonda said she's in the same boat, and she's actually on a boat in her avatar?

I know, I know, I'll see myself out... 

And Amy, two years, heck, even eight months sounds like torture.  But when it happens, and I know it WILL happen for you, you won't feel like it took forever anymore; it'll feel like it flew by. Well, okay, maybe not flew, but at least flapped by. : :

And thanks, Jay, both for responding in here, and for all your help and advice to us all in SCBWI and these forums.  Very inspiring and encouraging.

[Amy Spitzley]

Thanks Becky! I can take flapped. (grin) And I second your opinion of Jay. Thanks very much, dude! (grin!)
AMY

[Rhonda]

Did anyone else notice that Rhonda said she's in the same boat, and she's actually on a boat in her avatar?

I know, I know, I'll see myself out... 

And Amy, two years, heck, even eight months sounds like torture.  But when it happens, and I know it WILL happen for you, you won't feel like it took forever anymore; it'll feel like it flew by. Well, okay, maybe not flew, but at least flapped by. : :

ROFL--I didn't even think about that, Mussel.

And I agree--it all sounds like torture. LOL.

[Elaine (aka sweetpea)]

I quit on Friday. Kind of quiet-like. No fuss, no bother. I just made up my mind that I sucked at this writing gig. I rock at spider solitaire, so I did that instead and avoided all writing related things.

Two hours later I figured out something that may work in the plot of one of my WIP's. Something that's been eluding me for some time.

So, even though I just got two rejections (on the weekend, no less) I guess I'm back in the game.

I think I know how junkies feel, though. 

[Stephanie Blake]

I have a few queries out there and an agent has a full, but I'm not working on anything new.
I'm not quitting, but I am giving myself a break until January.

 

[cdb]

Play well, Steph! Have lots of fun and get some rest, too. You're going to need this break because I believe your future will get crazy-busy soon and it will refresh your creativity, too. Enjoy your family over the holidays. 

     Carole

[Deb Cushman]

I didn't quit, but I gave myself a break 20 years ago :

But, I'm back now and trying to build myself back up. It's easier this time because of computers (had to type everything on my manual typewriter before!) On the other hand, the competition is stiffer because of computers -- makes revising, printing, e-mailing, submitting much faster!

Yes I can, Yes I can, Yes I can!

[ixtumea]

Hi, Amy!

I've also decided to take a break querying agents/publishers until Jan.   Plus being a panelist for the Cybils is going to take alot of work reading wonderful nominated books!

In the meantime though, I'm sending off a revised beginning of my paranormal to the agents/publishers who requested it.

I also plan on attacking my WIP in Jan as I'm going to enter it for the SCBWI work-in-progress grant.

Just remember my quote:  Si, se puede!  We can do it!  Even if it seems impossible at times.  I keep reminding myself that one part of this business is being persistant.

[Gail]

I quit on Friday. Kind of quiet-like. No fuss, no bother. I just made up my mind that I sucked at this writing gig. I rock at spider solitaire, so I did that instead ....

  That brightened my day!

gail

[Elaine (aka sweetpea)]

Glad to help, Gail! 

[Momzilla]

I wanted to quit, then I read this thread from the start. All of you guys are such an inspiration!

I get down sometimes because everything about this business seems to take so  : long. Then when you finally do reach a milestone, it's just a different kind of  :.  In April I had an offer to represent a chapter book series, which she sent out soon after.  So far, I've had 3 rejections. All of them are positive, no feedback that allows me to improve my MS. The, "We really enjoyed it, BUT..." kind. I'm really starting to hate that word, but.  :

I've seen a lot of instances here where people have had their book placed soon after an agent starts sending them around.  I know that isn't all, but...I guess I hoped that things would get a little quicker with an agent, yanno?  A big part of me doubts myself and wonders if this is all just pie in the sky and maybe it's time for me to go back to school and try something else I can enjoy and be successful at. I feel a lot of guilt...my kids are 9 & 11, and I've stayed at home with them so far, but...(there's that word again) I feel like I should get a career, that I should be a contributing member of society now that the kids are older, etc. etc.

Anyhoo, none of this is getting me published, is it? But it was good to get off my chest, so thanks for listening.  :

I hope that anyone who has posted on this thread and then gone on to get published sticks their head back in and tells their story. It really is inspirational, and gives us all hope. Gosh, just look at Jay!

Here's some  for all of us.

[Amy Spitzley]

I totally get you with the junkie thing, Elaine. I don't wanna write but I have to write but I procrastinate at it but I need to do it and...oh screw it, I'm a writer. (grin!)
AMY
Currently listening to U2 and procrastinating on one small $60 article due tomorrow...(sigh)

[Elaine (aka sweetpea)]

Momzilla--I am contemplating the whole school/career/contributing member of society, too. My son is 8 and I'm already feeling the pressure to have a "real" job. Currently I freelance for a local paper, but it doesn't pay much. =)

Amy--Man, I am with you on procrastination. There should be a School House Rocks song for it. We could toy with the lyrics for Conjunction, Junction, What's Your Function?

Congrats on the article though! Who is it for?

 

[Amy Spitzley]

Oh, it's not much. For a local publication called Grand Traverse Woman. It's on the Gamers of Northern Michigan--guys who aren't just about hunting and fishing, but who do role-playing and tabletop games for fun. D and D and Warhammer and Star Wars and all that. My husband is one of them, although I didn't interview him for the article. (grin)
Procrastination, get out of my nation? Oh boy. Pretend you didn't see that.
AMY

[Cyn Balog]

It's amazing how in this business, your world can turn on a dime.

Because there I was, on Friday at 10 a.m., thinking of slitting my wrists or whatever it is that we disgruntled writers do because I knew I would soon have to go back to the drawing board.  By 3 p.m. I had accepted an offer.  And I've heard lots of stories similar to mine.

Really, things can change that quick.  Your acceptance could come tomorrow.  So, um, don't stop thinking about it!   

[Elaine (aka sweetpea)]

Amy, the article sounds cool.

School House Rock--maybe we can do the "I'm Just a Bill" one, except we'd be writers sitting on the hill, waiting for editors/agents to get to our manuscripts. 

cyn2write, I couldn't stop thinking about it to save my life! Now I have that Fleetwood Mac song in my head, too! Don't Stop, thinking about tomorrow...

[ixtumea]

Wow, Cyn!  That's a great story!  You never know in this business. 

[Serenissima]

Wow, I needed to read this thread for inspiration. Lately, I've been feeling it's an uphill battle pitching my historical YA. I'll tell myself to forget about fiction and devote my time, energy and talent to more 'productive' ventures -- e.g., writing letters to the editor and supporting causes much more 'important' than my little novel. And maybe even cleaning the house.

But then, I read great books such as "The Wednesday Wars" or "When Zachary Beaver Came to Town" and am reminded that folks are selling stories set 30+ years ago. Stories that make me laugh. Stories that make me think. I'm happy they wrote those stories for me to enjoy.

So I'll send out a few more query letters. In the meantime, I'll keep working on my latest ms - set in the present.  And, I'll write an activist letter or two. As for the housework - well, that's still low on the priority list



Happy Thanksgiving Everybody!