The Sundered is finshed, synopsis-ed, queried, and sent out to various agents. Color me hopeful, but I really think this one’s going to get at least a couple of bites. Our house-artist Celine Chapus said it best the other day…
Art making: a lifelong courtship that can afford neither doubt nor neglect. Much like love, it flourishes and sustains itself with constant watering. Much like love, it is not effortless, but its rewards and delights can be great.
In the spirit of that, have some research!
Did you know there were vampires in Ireland? Okay, in Irish mythology, but still! Different and interesting. This, however, is not mythology: how to stay sane while querying. Full of terrific advice about research and persistence – very nice.
A great post by Debbie Schubert on being creative – I love the reminder that we must fill our creative wells, and not just with one thing. Next, literary agent Michael Bourret asks that we let people on our team be good at what they’re paid to do. The gist is simple – agents, editors, etc. DO know what they’re doing. It’s okay to trust advice, even if it’s not what our bestest-buddy-friend said in that whispered midnight critique session.
“Not every agent is right for you.” – James Dashner
I love this: day jobs of some great writers in history. And then, because the phrase “the big six” comes up often in publishing talk, I like this link for making clear just who the big six are. Agent Rachelle Gardner reminds us that publishing takes a long time, darnit. But that’s okay, because it gives us the chance to learn important things along the way, such as these seven points from author James Dashner (such as “not every agent is right for you” – scary, that).
Lastly, a note from the fabulous John Scalzi, saying something that sings in my heart: what would it take to make you quit writing?
My answer: I honestly can’t think of much.
