So, yesterday was Father’s Day, which put me in a foul mood because my dad passed away in 2007. Granted, I didn’t get in as foul a mood as I get around Christmas. Yes. I’m The Grinch. Boris Karloff stands outside my house and sings, “You’re a mean one, Heather Curley.”
Today was not much better, thanks to mass chaos at work. And, while I normally thrive in Mass Chaos, I wasn’t having it today.
And then, I got home to find three rejections on my query. Three. In a row.
Sigh.
In no particular order, here are the thoughts that crossed my mind:
1. I suck
2. My writing sucks
3. This must be why Hemingway drank
4. Screw dinner and pass me the ice cream
5. I’m never writing again.
The last one obviously didn’t happen because, well, here we are.
So, in lieu of that, I shredded half a chicken. By hand.
I didn’t date much in high school or college. Okay. I didn’t date at all, thanks to an awkward stage that lasted from age 11 to approximately age 18. I got married at 20. But, I feel like this is all the rejection I missed out on while I was wandering through my high school years. “It’s not you. It’s me.” But it’s phrased as, “It’s not your book. I’m just not right for your book.”
Which, roughly translated, is still, “It’s not you. It’s me.”
And don’t get me wrong, I’m okay with that. If an agent doesn’t believe in my book, then how will they sell it? They won’t. Simple. It’s just, ugh, this process is brutal.
I’m hoping (?) it’s not my writing. I’m assuming it’s not. I do have two fulls out there under consideration. So there’s that. And I know the whole process is long and brutal and I have to accept that. Fine.
But I’m going to be honest. I really did enjoy labor more. Caveat: I was in labor for seven hours from start to finish with The Toddler and four with The Baby. I show up at the hospital to watch TV, pop out a kid, and get my lunch tray.
While I was shredding the chicken, I came to the conclusion my query letter might need tweaked. I guess I’ll do that tonight and send it out again. Because…I don’t really want to give up. As a general rule of thumb, I’m usually willing to give up. But I believe in my book too much. Maybe not so much today. But normally.
And, in completely unrelated news, I watched most of Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter. Or Slayer. Whatever, anyway, I…yeah, I just couldn’t do it. I chose sleep instead. The movie lost me when the vampire threw a horse at Abraham Lincoln and Abraham Lincoln was not even fazed. I can be onboard with disbelief only so far. Then I start to say things like, “Well, I don’t know, the plot line from The Walking Dead could totally happen.”
I’ll be happy when this week is over.
Sorry about the rejections, but it’s part & parcel as they say. At least that’s what they told me. As for Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter, I actually liked it, apart from that utterly idiotic stampede scene. Rufus Sewell makes it all worthwhile for me.
You know, I was so excited to see him in the movie! He was excellent. The cast was great, I was not so secretly enamored with Henry Sturgis. A fun take on vampires…sunglasses and all. Just on WAY too late for my oldness, lol.
Ha! You made me smile given that I spent yesterday in a bottle of wine as I tested the Hemingway writing method. I haven’t reached query letter stage yet but I am breaking out in hives at the thought of it already.
Just keep believing in your book.
I think sending out the query letter is like sending one of my children out on stage with a microphone. Terrifying and exciting at the same time! Belief in my book keeps me going: but wine doesn’t hurt either! Thanks for stopping by–and best wishes with your writing!
So very sorry to hear about the rejections. I know how tough it can be. I’d be happy to take a look at your query if you like. I worked in journalism for a while, so I think I’m good with them.
All the best,
Louisa
That would be awesome! Thank you so much! Should I just send it to the email address you entered with the comment?
Thank would work just fine!
Just sent it! Crossing my fingers it’s not as hot a mess as I was today with my unfortunate sock/shoe combo selection, lol…
I’m sorry. 🙁 And it’s only Monday. If you believe in your book, then someone else definitely will, too. It just takes time. And lots of drinking. And patience, especially when you can’t get the alcoholic beverage of your choice open.
I would be happy to look at your query letter, as well. I write them from time to time, then I rewrite them, and then I start drinking.
I just sent it! I think I know where I’m going wrong–I’m interested to see if you feel the same way.
I swear, I feel like I’ve never drunk so much wine in my life. I’ve been hoarding a bottle for either a celebration or for healing the wounds of another multi-rejection day like yesterday. Oddly enough, shredding chicken for dinner was somewhat theraputic. And delicous.
My Dad once said “Isn’t it about time you got a proper job dear?”, as I was working in a bus drivers social club by night to pay for living while I volunteered in nature conservation by day. I wrote to 10 zoos, got 9 rejections and one offer. The offer was London! It only takes one and it will be the right one for you. Persist!
We’re a few months off 20 years since Dad died and smile to myself when I do stuff that would make him laugh.
It’s tough getting rejections in any part of our lives. If they make us give up then perhaps we don’t want it bad enough.
Better wish you good luck with the next query then. xx
ps.. at least you’ve got novels to query.. I’m still at editing stage.. persistence is futile? nah, that doesn’t sound right 😉
I’m the same way with my dad. There are times that something silly or scandalous happens and I think, “I have to call Dad; he’ll get a kick out of this one!” and then realize…oh yeah. He would have been 60 this year. I think we’re going to “celebrate” with an ice cream cake, which was his favorite.
You’re right about persistence! It only takes one yes! I’m just horrifically impatient, but this is teaching me to wait it out and wait for the right one to come along. That’s so cool about working with the London Zoo! I bet it was amazing! The Hubs briefly worked at the zoo here (which I’m sure is nowhere near as awesome as London’s zoo) in the dietary kitchen and also in grounds. I bring a zoo lunch bag to work with me everyday, lol!
Editing! I feel like that’s a never ending process for me. I had to force myself to stop! It was turning into something like running on a record player. I don’t think I was actually getting anywhere but frustrated, lol.
Sucks about the rejections. I received one too many of the “It’s not you, it’s me” rejections before I finally decided to give up. However, consider that there are some famous authors who got rejected many, many times before they finally landed a publishing deal. Don’t despair. 🙂
Thanks! You’re right: wasn’t JK Rowling rejected like, 20 times or something? When I went to the writer’s conference, one of the presenters talked about being rejected over one hundred times. I’m not sure my blood pressure could handle that….but we’ll see what happens!
Hmm, labour v’s query submissions. That’s a tough one! At least with labour you know your chances of ending up with the prize (a baby!) is high!
Sorry to hear about the rejections. Sounds like you have a good attitude though. I’m sure eventually you’ll get an acceptance!
I’ve nominated you for The Very Inspiring Blogger award, so if you get a chance, come and check it out.
Rinelle Grey