I was worried that the writing would be hard, that I wouldn’t be inspired, that I’d run out of imagination.
In fact, none of that happened, my characters spoke to me as I was told they would, my imagination was spurred, and things flowed.
But now the writing is. Outlying done and I am discovering the whole other half of this process: selling.
There is the research to find appropriate agents and publishers. The courses to discover how to write a good query letter, or elevator pitch. For the queries, you have to write a full synopsis, and often a marketing plan. And often you have to reformat your novel to suit the various agents.
While you do that, you’re running your book through your writing group and/or your test readers, incorporating their suggestions, and wondering if your novel is really any good at all.
I now get why there are so many short story competitions out there. Aside from it being it’s own art form, writers need that kick of writing and submitting something to keep them going while they sell their longer works.
But hey ho, this is the biz, and persistence is a must. I just have to keep believing in that euphoria I will feel when I have a published book in my nail-bitten little hands!
As they say, keep on keeping on. You have completed what we would assume to be the most difficult part--the writing--so now you must keep working on the new challenge of learning the publishing side. Keep in mind the two lion statues in front of the NYC Public Library, named Patience and Fortitude.
ReplyDeleteAh yes, the not-so-fun part of it all. Keeping my fingers crossed for you!
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to reading that first published book of yours
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