Have Your Cake and Eat It, Too

You would think that with two very computer-savvy brothers, I would've received some of those "techie" genetics. Alas, that is not so.



You may wonder what happened to that last post about Kathryn Stockett, The Help, and the fact that Heather will continue to write, despite rejection? Well, I managed to delete that post while figuring out how to label stuff. The good news: I think I figured it out. The bad news: my encouraging article link is gone. But I'll re-paste it here:



http://shine.yahoo.com/event/poweryourfuture/kathryn-stocketts-the-help-turned-down-60-times-before-becoming-a-best-seller-2523496



It seems everything and everyone is lining up behind the sentiment that, if you're a real writer, you won't stop when you meet slam-on with somewhat targeted rejection. I say "somewhat targeted" because I'm realizing that the two negative comments I've had on this book have been said before, to many other authors, some of whom have gone on to get published anyway.



It makes sense that agents/publishers are subjective--after all, isn't everyone? We're choosy about our spouse (hopefully!). We're picky about what foods we love or despise (sweet or salty? chocolate always wins for me). And given how many different genres we love (classics, Amish fiction, vampire romance, sci-fi, biography), no wonder the responses from agents are all over the board.



I'm keeping my hopes up for my book. But not for understanding computers like my bros--everyone has their limits! And now excuse me--I've got to find something chocolate and label all my posts.



--Heather

On Rejection and My Attempts to Deal With It

After a stellar and astonishing week, when no less than FOUR agents were requesting my sample chapters/pages, and my children and husband would attest that my happiness was through the roof, I have had a letdown, reject week of almost equal proportions. Two of the bigger historical fiction agents rejected my book, leaving me once again questioning my skill (or lack of it) in writing.

I do realize that Kathryn Stockett's "The Help," as well as J.K. Rowling, John Grisham, etc. have met with numerous rejections before publication. They did not give up. But then I am reminded of Stephenie Meyer, who maybe had 14 rejections. I've probably reached that number (between my two novels), so in my mind, if I can't beat Stephenie Meyer, I'm useless. Okay, maybe not QUITE that bad, but I am competitive, you know. Mostly with myself.

And so, I begin to think that maybe this blog was a bad idea, especially if I have to take it down, hanging my head in shame. "I can't write, why did I ever think I could?" keeps running through my mind. I know you all believe in me, and many of you have offered encouragement on Facebook and elsewhere. However, I have to determine in myself if it is worthwhile to continue pouring months into these writing endeavors, only to have no one read my book. E-books are tempting, but I do want a hard copy of the book in the end.

I love to write, and even now I walk around with new ideas for books about every day. Once you're locked in the writing mode, it's hard to get your brain out. However, this does not bode well for a home-schooler who needs to teach her children all the stuff they need to know before college!

So, I have concluded that for now I am taking a break. Maybe I'm not quitting. Maybe I'm just recuperating. I still have queries out, and I may still get bites. I'm still trying to keep some faith. I hope my next post will be one of jubilation, where I have found the agent who really "gets" my books. I just gotta know that what I'm fighting for is worth it! If it is, I'll come back swinging, and if it's not, I'm willing to concede defeat. Well, at least I think so.

--Heather