Well, they didn’t the Hammer Pants. I was right all along. It was pants. And the even worse news? It’s back to the slush for me.
There really isn’t any further to fall right now.
So. Really. Where do I go from here? Where do I want to go from here? Am I any good at all? Or is the universe trying to tell me something and I’ve been too stupid to listen?
I’m sorry about Hammer Pants. I know what a kick in the guts this is. But you know what? It doesn’t mean anything. It really, really doesn’t.
Don’t let one rejection from one line kill your manuscript. If they don’t want it, send it elsewhere. And keep sending it until you’ve exhausted all of your options.
And in the meantime, keep writing, keep learning, keep reaching. Don’t let how you’re feeling now give you permission to give up on yourself and your dreams.
Dammit !! Huge, huge hugs for you. That just sucks. Really, really sucks.
I’ve just done the Michael Hauge workshop and one of the most powerful questions he kept asking us writers, as he pulled apart our story outlines and made us cry, was “what do you like about this story? What is the element that you are most connected to? What part of this would you hold on to if it all had to be cut back?” (Okay that was more than one question, but you get the drift.)
It made us sit back and think about what it was that excited us about our story (about writing in general)
I’m sure you’re not in the mood for advice (sheesh, I’d be in my bed with a jug of gin holding a long, long pity party… and sending daggers at anyone who tried to cheer me up. But then I can veer toward the melodramatic…), But… why not give Michael’s question a think over.
It might help pin-point what stories you’re passionate about telling, putting aside all attempts to second-guess the editors and their damned fuzzy-wuzzy guidelines, and give you a clear direction (for when you’re ready to get back on the road).
Jackie
I am beyond sorry – I wish I could think of any words of wisdom but I can’t – it just sucks. Big time. But don’t give up.
Nina x
I won’t even attempt to say something inspiring Jackie, just offer a very large cyber G&T and a hug.
Am around if you want to chat. xxxx
Jac – you know I’m devastated right there along beside you. GUTTED. I was there just a couple of months back and I know how absolutely heart-wrenching it is to go from where we were back to the PILE again!! REally makes you feel like giving up.
Like Joanne – nothing I can say will make you feel better. I’m still feeling the confidence kick I got when sent back to slush like a naughty school girl. I just hope we can get out there and get past it.
Love ya lots and lots and more lots.’
Bring on conf so we can drown our sorrows!!!
Oh no 🙁 I am so sorry Jackie.
Sending lots and lots and lots of cyber hugs (and alcohol) your way.
I’m so sorry! That’s crummy. {{{hugs}}}
I could say lots of encouraging things, but sometimes you just need to be sad about a disappointment for a while. Tomorrow is another day.
I have no inspiring words, but please know I’m thinking about you and can’t wait to cheer you on again when you “get back on that horse” because I know you will. You’re much to good to quit now.
xxx
Elizabeth – thanks. I am trying to stay positive and trying not to let this kill everything. Not sure if it’s having any effect.
Jo – I think I need to think about that one. Thanks for the hugs.
Nina – trying not to give up. Difficult at this point in time!
Joanne – will send you an email.
Rach – love ya heaps back. You’re a rock.
Leah – thanks.
Julia – thanks for the hugs.
Jackie, hugs and alcohol (Jo’s jug of gin sounds like just the thing.)
It’s been almost four months since I hit rock bottom… and things did pick up. Unexpectedly. This is one heck of a dip on your roller coaster ride, but it’s not the end.
(((Jackie)))
Robyn – thanks hon. I think I need to give up expecting things. Sigh.
Natalie – thanks. 🙂
The only way is up, Jackie. They haven’t noticed your genius yet, but they will.
(HUGS) Jackie! I’m so disappointed for you. Perhaps Hammer Pants has a home elsewhere 🙂
I’m thinking of you! x
Cody – 🙂 I don’t know if I have any genius left now.
Lacey – thanks. Hammer Pants needs rewriting sadly. I still think the bones are there though.
Big hugs!!
This just plain sucks. Like, completely.
You WILL SHOW them. You will.
In the meantime, more hugs.
xx
HUGE HUGS!!! I’m so sorry you had disappointing news. Please don’t give up. You are good enough to be published. Just remember that writing for category is sometimes like threading a needle in the dark. It can come down to a whole lot of patience and a dash of luck. When you succeed, you often look back and wonder how the hell you did it.
My suggestion is to try something completely different from what you’ve been working on just to take a breath of fresh air and clear your head.
Bec – I don’t know if I will this time round.
Cat – thanks. I am really beginning to think that I don’t have it. I know it’s only one line but…I don’t know. I’m at the stage where I just don’t know anything anymore. I do wonder if they actually hate me.
oh dear, sorry to hear that Jackie.
But remember your last post? Unpublished is awesome! Keep writing for yourself if nothing else, and keep submitting too, you’ll hit that jackpot one day!
Jackie, I’m so sorry you’ve had a disappointment. Lots of love and hugs.
Jackie, I think the advice to step away and write something different for a short while is a good one. You obviously CAN write – competition wins, the most popular entry for New Voices, a widely followed blog… I guess the editors are looking for something very specific for Riva and your stories aren’t hitting the right notes for some reason. You WILL be published, I’m absolutely sure of it, so please DON’T give up.
I don’t know if you’ve every read Nicola Morgan’s blog – she’ a scottish writer of YA – but she’s a real inspiration to aspiring writers. In her words ‘you just haven’t written the ‘right’ story yet.’ It took her 12 years to get published, but now she has about 90 books on the shelves. You can find her at http://helpineedapublisher.blogspot.com/
I know you won’t give up, because you’re a writer and you won’t be able to, so I’m sending all my very best vibes over to you. Chuck a couple of plates at the wall, then please keep writing, ’cause I’d miss you if you went away.
x Kristy
Don’t have the words to describe how gutted I am for you, Jackie. Sending lots and lots and lots of hugs!!
Hugs. Like everyone else, I’m gutted.
XX
Hi babe,
Been really frustrated as couldn’t access your blog at work all day so I could leave you a comment.
Love you loads Jackie, keep your chin up and sent you an email xx
Blech. At a point, I’m just not sure what to say, except that I’m so sorry about the R and I’m so sorry that you’re sad and feeling disheartened. BIG hugs. When you’re ready to climb back on the horse, you will be stronger than ever. I know that, because you’re a fighter. Hugs again, for good measure.
Kerrin – yeah, I remember my last post. But it’s not that awesome. 🙂
Kristy – I think anything I submit to them at this point will be wrong. So yeah, stepping away is something I need to do. I’ll check the link. Thanks for the faith. 🙂
Maya – thanks for the hugs.
Suzanne – me too. 🙁
Scarlet – love ya right back!
Christine – blech is right. I’m just considering what horse I want to get up on.
Hugs, Jackie. Am gutted for you too.
But ya know – I think you are great. I read your new voices and loved it; so did a lot of other people. You have a lot going for you!
I know you’ll be hurting so take a huge hug and wrap yourself in it. And be good to yourself. j
Oh Jackie, big, big hugs. So sorry for what you are going through now. I know how painful it is. Give yourself some time not to make any decision or delete any manuscripts or… anything. Just let yourself be. And perhaps the direction will become clear. I took a very long step away from category before I was published, as I’ve commented here before, and it really was the best thing I ever did. Have you ever written anything else fiction-wise? Anyway, no decisions too soon–just a large drink 🙂
Judy – yeah a lot of people did. That’s something to hold onto I guess. Thanks for the thoughts and the hugs.
Kate – thanks that’s really, really good advice. I am going to step away from category I think for a while. I have written other stuff – SciFi actually – but I never got very far with it because the relationships always interested me more than the world building. But hey, I might give it another go huh? 🙂