Comments on: Quicksand Book

By: Jackie Ashenden

Jackie Ashenden — Wed, 20 Jun 2012 21:09:46 +0000

Nina – yes, I never thought about that part of it either. Until then you have to and it’s like ‘eeek!’ And thanks. Be nice to have a reader or two. 😉

Karen – fabulous re your full requeset! Well done you! Yeah, it’s hard to push that button. But once you find yourself changing words pointlessly, then it’s time to send it away. Good luck, huh? You can do it!

By: KarenB

KarenB — Wed, 20 Jun 2012 13:19:26 +0000

I know just how you feel. I pitched to Engtangled publishing and now they’ve requested a full mss. Yikes, it took me two days to come down, as it was the first request I’d had in four years. Now I find myself bogged down in polishing the thing until it gleams. I think I’m just scared to hit the send button.

By: Nina

Nina — Wed, 20 Jun 2012 09:08:08 +0000

Hi Jackie
I'm not sure I've ever thought about 'people' reading my books - I'm too busy angsting over an editor reading them!

So yes - that must be really strange in a wonderful way - you are writing for the masses now.

Really looking forward to reading all your books...

Nina x

By: Jackie Ashenden

Jackie Ashenden — Wed, 20 Jun 2012 08:50:19 +0000

Victoria – hehe. Yay for not being alone! I think for me it’s not feeling like a story is ‘mine’ if that makes sense. I’ve kind of got over it now though. Glad to hear you got over your stage fright. I guess I”ll have to pull my socks up and get over mine.
Oh and the feeling’s mutual re the books!

Madeline – well, I know I deserve to read your work. 🙂 And as for the ed rejecting you because you’re not prepared, that won’t happen. You just say ‘of course I have something else’. Then you go ahead and write it. 🙂
And you’re so right. I am writing it for me first. Y’know, I’m going to put that on my PC because I’ve forgotten that. Thanks for the reminder!

By: Madeline Ash

Madeline Ash — Wed, 20 Jun 2012 03:01:29 +0000

I get the quicksand feeling Jackie, and I'm not even contracted! In answer to your question, yes, I am definitely chasing publication (although sometimes it feels like I'm forgetting to run). I worry about not having more books written, on the off chance that an editor likes my current ms and asks for something else. I don't want to have to say 'Uh - I don't really have anything else that's quality' and have them say 'Well, we'll have to reject you because you're not prepared'.

Do other people deserve to read my work? I like to think so. Do I deserve to capture the preciousness of their imaginations with my writing? I'd like to think that too.

Good luck with your WIP. I suspect you're going to have to ignore the fact that you're contracted (as best you can). Never forget that you're writing for YOU before anyone else. If you put others before yourself, then you'll be so confused trying to figure out what readers want, that it could come out stilted and stale. The most engaging writing happens when you're caught up in your own story. xx

By: Victoria James

Victoria James — Tue, 19 Jun 2012 22:09:01 +0000

Hey Jackie! Ha, I’m glad I’m not alone in the quicksand feeling. That exact same thing happened to me…it felt like ‘stage fright’. All of a sudden when the WIP was sold-it became that much harder to write! I did get it done though…and so will you 🙂 I can’t wait to read your books!!!!

By: Jackie Ashenden

Jackie Ashenden — Tue, 19 Jun 2012 19:42:38 +0000

Sally – Hehe. No, only another 11 months. 🙂 Yeah, a good review must be awesome! I hope I get one!
BTW, I have The Morning After on my iPad. Loving it!

Chris – Awww, thanks heaps! Yeah, I’m pretty rapt with how its turned out.

By: Chris Smith

Chris Smith — Tue, 19 Jun 2012 09:14:33 +0000

Jackie, thank goodness. It was agonising, watching someone as good as you not getting anywhere – seemingly. Very interesting to see who came forth with clear, tangible goodies. So very pleased for you, and looking forward to your trajectory from here!

By: Sally Clements

Sally Clements — Tue, 19 Jun 2012 08:26:05 +0000

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By: Sally Clements

Sally Clements — Tue, 19 Jun 2012 08:25:58 +0000

Really looking forward to holding one of your books, Jackie. Seeing it on my kindle is something I’ve been looking forward to for a long time, and not too long to wait now!
Going from partials to fulls, then fulls to sales, edits, reviews etc, is nerve wracking, but when you get a good review its such a high… woo!