I mentioned Tuesday that I wasn't inspired to try any revisions on my manuscript of doom. Truth is, I'm a little depressed (like clinically) about my manuscripts in general. Why? We send out mss. If we're lucky, we get comments. We revise per those comments; we send it out again. Wash, rinse, repeat, ad nauseum.
My question:
At what point does the manuscript stop being mine? Major plot changes, POV changes, additions of subplots and layers, the list goes on. What I end up with might be a fantastic novel, but can I really take credit for it, when it took a village to get it there? Do all novels go through this? Does it really take a writer, a critique group or three, a beta reader, an agent and a/possibly several editor(s)?
On a more positive note, the MamaWad sent this to me and I thought I'd share it--just so I'm not a complete downer. It's a quote from Scott Hoffman, Folio Literary.
"If you're a writer who has received personal attention or an 'encouraging' rejection from even one reputable agent, this is a good indication that publishing has become a numbers game for you. It's now just a matter of finding the right agent or editor at the right time. I'd strongly encourage you not to get even a little bit discouraged until you've received 50 - maybe even 100 - rejections on the project in question".
After six years of querying and submitting, I still don't have 5o rejections. Not even if I combine all five books. How about you?
I'd say that's cause for rejoicing! And yes, all books (like most things in life) are products of a village. Just be glad you're not the idiot in said village. =]
ReplyDeleteThe rejections I've gotten are small in number, but then, I'm just beginning to get my stuff out there.
ReplyDeleteAnd then it's mostly poetry and essays so far.
My WIP has so much longer to go, and I'm wondering how it will morph before I'm done. But maybe that's like wondering what my young & growing family will become someday, when today they are still in diapers & early elementary.
Ahh, the lessons of time, of washing, rinsing & as you say, repeating...
Oh, that is a great quote. Mind if I share it?
ReplyDeleteLT, I laughed out loud at the idiot point. :)
ReplyDeleteTerresa, what a great comparison. I do feel like my books are my kids sometimes.
Corey, share away.
Oooh what a wonderful quote!
ReplyDeleteAnd yes... it does take a village.
I don't keep the rejections unless they are something positive. I know I have a record somewhere of my submissions, but I'm trying to ignore the number.
ReplyDeleteI think it's kind of like going hunting. We go to the woods in hope of seeing a sign (poop, scrapings, etc..), we might even see an animal, eventually we get a shot, sometimes we miss, but we could actually hit our target and bring home the venison...
So, you are bringing home the venision for the first time with Invisible Sister. Be patient when you go in for the kill on your next story...
Hugs!
Oh, I'm sad that you're sad! {(hug)}
ReplyDeleteI think you can definitely take credit, just as a music composer can take credit for his creation despite the years of practice--and the multitude of teachers--it took to get him there.
It's all a learning process, IMO. :)
It is hugely frustrating! Especially when the agents and editors don't even agree on what needs revising. But so much of what we do in life is touched by others. Strangers inspire ideas, a picture in a magazine gives life to a character, etc. We can only improve with the help of others, but no one else's imagination would have written something quite the same way as you---even after revisions. Keep the faith and have another look at your Winston Churchill 'Never give in!' quote.
ReplyDeleteI've been at it for three years and lost track of the number of rejections, just that I have a very large file folder full. The one that came this week was personalized and encouraging from a respected agent but I'm not sure I want to send that mss out 50 more times!
*hugs* You're very special, and you can do this.
ReplyDelete