Monday, August 29, 2011

My nutshell

To all writers, aspiring or otherwise...

My writing history in a nutshell-

Wrote first book. Sold it immediately to a small press. It went into a bunch of stores and with the help of over 50 book signings and tons of school visits, sold thousands.

Wrote more books.

Got an agent.

Rejected a few times from publishers, but in the meantime sold second book of series to the same small press at agent's advice.

Said book was not given a chance. It made it into almost no stores. Four months later, it's only sold a few hundred copies.

Agent decided YA wasn't her thing. Told me to find a new agent.

In the meantime, wrote another book that agent said she loved.

More rejections. Lots more.

Now studying for my TCRG exams and not writing at all. Could only focus on one big thing at a time.

Miss writing. So much. Fantasize about writing my next novel. Dread the next slew of rejections.

Wondering if I'm crazy for not giving up.

But insane enough to know that rejections will never win. I am too addicted to writing. Even when I fail.

But I want to succeed. Badly. Bad enough to write better. To face the future.

Because I'm convinced that one of these days I will get there. Even though I have no proof.

6 comments:

Unknown said...

I have faith you'll make it, because writing is in your blood. Hang in there! Someday this will be a great story to tell aspiring writers who are hanging on your every word because you're so wildly successful.

Laura said...

Thanks Jaime. For having faith in me.

Gaylene said...

Can I just say I think you are amazing! You are my hero!

Elana Johnson said...

*hugs* I believe you'll make it too! Don't give up. Good luck with your test, and I know you'll find the time to write your next (best-selling) novel.

Laura said...

Wow. Thanks for coming and giving me so much niceness. You all rock!

MKHutchins said...

Don't give up! I always tell myself there are only two things that can make me fail: quitting, or dying. I figure if I keep writing (umm, and submitting), eventually the pieces will fall together. Either that, or I'm going to be ninety-something and still sending out queries. :)