Pink Think: “If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with success unexpected in common hours.” – Henry David Thoreau
Photo from somegosoftly.com
I’m seeing a glimmer of light.
For the past few months, I have been querying literary agents about three novels: Ghost Moon Night, a YA historical paranormal; Girl From Gurian, a YA historical and The King’s Angel (formerly The Spanish Exile), historical suspense.
So far, no bites.
Today, I got a different sort of reply to my query letter and sample chapter for The King’s Angel. This is the second time this literary agent has given me a more personalized reply (okay, so the first one was two sentences, but it was still personalized). She wrote:
Thank you for thinking of me, Jewel. Yours is a fine query letter and your writing sample is good. But for some reason, I just wasn’t drawn into the story — I really think it’s simply a matter of taste, since you write well. I’ve decided to pass but this is a very subjective rejection, so I urge you to keep trying elsewhere; best of luck.
I wonder if she knows how much her kindness means to me.
***
It’s hard to stay positive in the face of rejections. Especially in the middle of a novel draft that isn’t going too well while a bestseller that shall not be named is very distractingly garnering a lot of attention this time of the year.
(What does that have to do with my writerly efforts, you say? Mainly that I feel like my writing or subject matter or music taste is nothing like Bestselling Author’s thus therefore I am tempted to think there might not be any market potential to my story.)
So I really really appreciated this agent’s reply. It helps me want to continue. And to have faith in what I am trying to achieve.
***
Yesterday I was driving to my in-laws’ place at the foothills of these rugged mountains, thinking…people made this place what it is because of one thing.
Faith.
They came and saw a God-forbidding desert with little water and less to commend it to the settlers. But with hard work, determination and a vision, they built a thriving, beautiful city.
Much the same way, I can let my rejections get me down or think of them as a learning tool and stepping stone to my dreams. With hard work, determination and loyalty to my vision, I can reach my goals.
***
What is YOUR dream? And how do YOU keep going?
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