Many people say writing a book is like childbirth. It’s a ton of work, but it’s a labor of love. That completed manuscript is a beautiful part of you that you want to send out into the world just like child who represents your hopes, dreams, and aspirations. Well, I say they’re only partly correct. If writing a book is like procreation, then the actual writing part is the sex. It’s fun. It feels good. And when you’re done, you want to do it again.
The getting published part, now that’s when you feel like your legs are in the stirrups and you have to force the Titanic through an ear canal. It seems impossible. It’s ridiculously painful. Yet, millions of people have published and will continue to do so every day. It’s worth it, or so I hear. I haven’t actually gotten to that step. I haven’t been able to deliver my beautiful, precious package. I’ve been in the literary stirrups a couple of times, but then someone with authority always comes along, nails my knees shut, and sends me on my way.
My birthing coach, I mean my agent, continues to encourage me, but after two years of this agony, I’m about to burst.
The latest false labor was the most heartbreaking. I went through six months of revisions with one of the top publishers in the world only to be rejected by their editorial board. At first, I was shocked, crushed, devastated. I mean, I’ve been carrying around this bundle of joy for so long, I just want to send it out into the world for everyone to see. But, after crying a few tears while eating everything off the Wendy’s value menu, I stroked my swollen prose and decided my baby was too good for them anyway. I want to find the right place to publish my work, a publishing house that will cherish it as much as I do. Some place that will dress up my manuscript and pimp it out just like those parents on Toddlers and Tiaras. And when I find that house, I know the delivery will be smooth, painless, and oh so rewarding…and if not, I’m asking for drugs in the contract.
Okay, so let’s say you’re at the point in your writing career when someone has recognized your talent. You have an agent. As the above points out, there’s still a lot more work to do. What you have to remember during this time of expectancy is that you can never stop writing. While your agent is pushing your work to various publishers, you need to keep honing your craft. It’s a great feeling when a publisher likes your voice, asks what else you’ve written and you can then send them your other work.
I wrote four books before I landed my agent and since then I’ve written three more. In my opinion my writing keeps getting better and better. It was my seventh book that actually caught the attention of that major publisher I refer to at the beginning of this piece.
So my advice is that once you have an agent, let him/her do their job and worry about the publishing aspect. I try not to let myself get stressed out over it. It’ll happen when it happens.
It’s also encouraging to read about the long list of wildly popular books that were originally rejected. Here’s a quick summary taken from www.entertainment.howstuffworks.com :
M*A*S*H by Richard Hooker – rejected 21 times
Carrie by Stephen King – rejected 30 times
A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle – rejected 26 times
Dune by Frank Herbert – rejected 23 times
And these are just a few. If I can one day be counted with these literary giants, well then it’s worth the current pain…and false alarms…and panting…and wait a minute…where are those drugs?
Great post! I love hearing the different perspectives on realms of the writing world I’ve yet to tackle.
*Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell – rejected 38 times* — I beg to differ? She sold it to the first guy who came through Atlanta looking for a ‘Southern novel’ in 1936. He snapped it up after begging her all day for it (she refused then at the last second relented), and he was sold on it during the train ride overnight. The next morning she telegraphed him begging the manuscript back–she’d changed her mind again–and he told her it was going to be a best seller.
Where did you get 38 rejections? I couldn’t find it at the link you posted.
(Great writing!! Thanks for sharing, Sybil!)
Hi Corra, according to this site, Gone With the Wind was rejected 38 times. I recently listed this site, along with a couple others that deal with the dreaded ‘R’ word in the forum at tNBW. It’s in a thread that Joy started. http://www.inkygirl.com/writers-and-rejection-dont-give-up/
In Margaret Mitchell’s own words:
*I wrote the book between 1926 and 1929 and never even tried to sell it. I never dreamed it would sell so I never had it neatly typed and submitted for rejection slips. Then when Mr. Latham of the Macmillan Company was in Atlanta last year, he dug out the very dirty and messy copy and bought it and my surprise was considerable. I thought, because of the purely Southern scene, character, handling, psychology that the book would have an appeal, if any, only in the South.*
Here’s an original copy of the letter:
http://www.kruegerbooks.com/books/sig/mm.jpg
(Off topic, I know! Carry on, ladies!)
Hi Corra, I didn’t doubt that you were right. I was just pointing out that there is information online that says it was rejected 36 times.
oops… make that 38.
LOL!
LOL! I guess I better change the post!
Sybil, that’s hilarious! Loved your use of simile… not only brilliant but extremely amusing. Good luck finding the best place for your baby. Even though there is so much humor used here, I know how painful that whole experience was for you.
Great idea to share this information. I think we all believe once we get an agent, the hard part is over. But as we’ve both learned, that’s not the case. As you said, this stage is actually the hardest. How does anyone break through the editorial board?? Ugh! Every now and then, when faced with yet another edit for a publishing house, I think, is this really worth it? But then… what if we quit? How do we know the next one wasn’t the big one? Plus, pure and simple, we love to craft stories. We love to give life to our babies, as you so perfectly put it.
Interesting post. Yeah, after the agony, comes the ecstasy. We have to hold on to that to keep moving forward.
Thanks for the reminder that everything isn’t smooth sailing after one lands an agent. There’s still a lot of work to be done…and waiting. You’re an inspiration. Thanks for sharing your story and getting personal.+
Hi Wannabe, lovely description of your writing process.
What I read of your book was great. Persistence seems to be the key to becoming successful in this business. That and contacts.
Thanks for reading, Patricia. I’m just trying to stay positive and pass on some positive energy.
Yay, that’s comforting and I have heard it before…. I know I have to crack on with the next book while I’m touting this one on Authonomy (and yup, I have the agent, just the right deal which is elusive).
Great blog.
Jane