Comments on: Missed Again

By: Jackie Ashenden

Jackie Ashenden — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 06:03:43 +0000

Thanks Lacey. ‘I know I can, I said I can’ right? Yep, gonna get over that damn hill one way or another.

By: Lacey Devlin

Lacey Devlin — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 03:29:21 +0000

((HUGS)) Jackie! Don’t give up! You are close! Think of all the wonderful authors who were knocked back at first! You’ve got to be the little engine that could. There’s a learning curve in this business that’s a little wonky with a couple more dips than we’d like. You’ve just got to get to the top of the hill now 😉 x

By: Jackie Ashenden

Jackie Ashenden — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 00:25:32 +0000

Aw, thanks heaps, Joanie. I was feeling like a bit of a fraud. I mean, who am I to give advice to anyone when I can’t even get it right myself? But then, it is always much easier to see where other people went wrong than to see it in your own work. And EM Forster was right – as I respond to people’s comments and emails, I’m already getting things into perspective.
Oooh, I’d love a copy of your book when you get accepted! Keep me posted! 🙂 If (when?) I get something accepted, you’ll probably hear me screaming all the way from the States! 🙂

By: Joanie

Joanie — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 22:22:27 +0000

Jackie,you’ve already received the best words of wisdom–don’t even think about quitting. But I wanted to address you comment that you think you may not know what you’re doing and don’t feel qualified to give advice. Strike those thoughts from your mind as well. Not only do we learn from the insights you put into your blogs, but just writing things down on screen or on paper will make everything seem even clearer. I think it was EM Forester who was quoted as saying “I don’t know what I think yet–I haven’t written about it.”

We all learn from each other, and I’ve learned loads from you in this blog and at eharl.com. You submitted, they want to see more, you’re on your way.

Quite frankly, I can’t wait until the day you and I can send copies of our books to each other–Presents from me, since I’m US, and Modern Heat from you. Onward, to the future! We’re all pulling for you, Jackie!

By: Jackie Ashenden

Jackie Ashenden — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 18:03:03 +0000

Kristy – thanks for the vote of confidence. I definitely think that critiquing other people’s work is easier than seeing what’s wrong with your own. And often it’s a case of thinking you’ve got it in there but not realising that you haven’t.
Glad my journey has been of use to you.

Kaily – yep, bummed just about sums it up. But you’re right, I’m not giving up. My problem was that I was supposed to be getting better not worse – and that sub was worse! Ah well, it’s a good learning experience for me.

Caroline – you can call me babes anytime. 🙂 Thanks for the hugs. Oh and I’m not sending in a comp entry – to add insult to injury I am deemed an already discovered new voice and so not allowed to enter.

By: Caroline Storer

Caroline Storer — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 17:32:12 +0000

Hi Jackie. I echo everybody. Massive ((((hugs))) on the “r”. Chin up. As everyone says you are nearly there. Don’t give up babes (I’ve resorted to Essex girl phrases – I only do this when I’m stressed!) So forget about you know what and send in that comp. entry! Take care. Caroline x

By: Kaily Hart

Kaily Hart — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 16:55:52 +0000

Hi Jackie, I posted over on eharl and just had to pop over here as well. If you haven’t gathered from my posts at eharl I’m not the touchy, feely, huggy, kissy type. At all! You sound bummed, but don’t look at this as a failure. It’s just another step on the road to success. If you quit now? Well, that would be a failure! Glad to see you’re working on something else. I know it’s disappointing and frustrating and agonizing but you’ll just be a better writer for it. You knew deep down what was wrong, right? The other thing to consider is that it’s not just about the story and the writing; it’s also timing and some luck and sometimes it’s out of our control. I’ll be you’re like me and you feel that with each manuscript your writing just get so much better. So go forth and craft something amazing from all that you’ve learned.

By: Kristy Price

Kristy Price — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 12:46:06 +0000

Jackie

I'm so sorry to hear this one didn't make it. As Lorraine quite rightly points out, it sounds like it just wasn't the story they were looking for at this moment in time.

As for not being able to give good advice, that's not true at all. Your outstanding cp skills have been utterly indispensable to me. You definitely know what you're doing and I feel like I've developed my writing one hundred fold with your help recently. It's very difficult to see what's wrong with your own work when you're writing it because you're so in love with your characters and their story. (I'm sure you know this).

Good for you for getting on with your next sub already. That's what being a professional writer is all about. You do know what you're doing and you have a wonderful voice. I guess it's 50% luck at this point that yours is the story they're looking for. Sending all my luck to you for the next one.

Much love from me.
Kristy

By: Jackie Ashenden

Jackie Ashenden — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 09:26:15 +0000

Thanks Judy. I will send you an email. It's pretty late here so will do it in the morning. Feeling tired and a bit knocked.

Lorraine, thanks for your faith. I haven't taken the other Rs personally, it's just this one that is the killer. Probably because I just shot myself in the foot and knew it.

By: Lorraine

Lorraine — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 09:07:51 +0000

You already know what I think but I’ll state it publicly again – you are so going to get published.
I know you and I know after a few days you’ll be pulling yourself back up, applying what you’ve learnt. Realising it’s not personal and that you as a writer have not been rejected, it was just the sub that didn’t fit the line, not you…
All hard stuff to hear right now I know, so take good care of yourself and accept all the cyber hugs winging their way to NZ.