Ok, so I’m done moping. All it gets you is to the bottom of a Ben & Jerry’s carton. Mmmm... Cherry Garcia...uh, where was I? Oh yes, I’m going to get off my lazy, fearfully procrastinating butt and do something about my career instead of whining. Yes, my antibiotics have kicked in and I’m ready to take on the world. Well, at least send out some queries.Angel invited me over last weekend to perk me up. She plied me with cheesecake and Wii trivia games. She also pitched an idea to me. I’ll call it the Circle of Five unless you all have a better name for it. Generally the concept being that at any one time, I have at least five manuscript related items circulating, be them queries, submissions, or contest entries. When one comes back rejected or the contest ends, another query goes out in its place. Something to keep me motivated knowing my stuff is out there. I know some people run a Circle of Twenty or something, but I'm going to start off small.
Anyway, so I’m starting today. I currently have one item out and long overdue, so I’ve sent an email inquiry for a status on that. I will also be querying four other agencies. Lord love them, most take electronic queries, so I’m able to fire them off without a trek to the post office. We all know how bad I am about mailing things. So that’s done. In addition, I’m scouring the contest deadlines to see what’s coming up and hopefully I can enter one or two with editors I’d like my stuff in front of.
So, I have my Circle of Five up and running and hopefully I’ll get some positive responses for partials. I’m also bracing myself for a rapid fire of rejection. I’m going to attempt to take it in stride. Or at least cut back to half a carton of Ben and Jerry’s. Although not a resolution, per se, I’m going to do my best to make sure I have at least five items of mine out in the world at any time. While they’re out – I also need to write more.
There must’ve been a dose of motivation in there with that B-12 shot they gave me. What are you doing to boost your writing career lately? For the readers out there, what are you psyched about?
SP
PS. WHOA! Rapid rejection is right. I just got an R from an agency I emailed 30 minutes ago. Wow. They said it sounded interesting, but wasn't the right fit for them at this time. Well, guess I'd better send another one out to keep my 5 balls in the air.
20 comments:
Circle of 5 is an AWESOME idea. Keep going, SP. Don't let one reject get you down. Skin of steel for this biz. Skin of Steel, bay-bee.
Who could resist cheesecake, btw?
Woe, dudette. That was rapido. Skin of Steel. I like that. That should be our creedo.
I'm so glad to hear you've perked up. You've been on my mind a lot lately. More coming...
Circle of 5 is a concept I've read about recently. I like it. I need to try it but I've got to develop balls of steel first. LOL. And since I'm a female, they might take more time.
SP, cheesecake with a friend is a cure all. So glad that you are feeling better!
Well, I've never heard of Circle of 5. Hmmm. Interesting. But so glad to hear you're recovering from feeing sick and pressing forward. Hey, try the B&J Cherry Garcia frozen yogurt. I swear to you it's better than the ice cream and a mere fraction of the fat grams.
So sorry to hear about the Big R. Keep plugging. Their loss.
Am pysched about putting a dent in my tbr and our trip to Fla in a few weeks. Re the tbr - good luck on getting that done anytime soon.
Pat L.
I'm so sorry about the R, SP!
I think the Circle of Five is an excellent idea. The more opportunities you have out there the more likely the result will be positive.
Instigator
hugs on the R. But at least the quick turnaround beats the endless waiting.
I'm glad you're getting more out there. You can't sell what's not circulating...
I'm actually not upset about the R. It came back so quickly I almost find it funny.
That's what's missing from my life..a cheesecake buddy.
I've never heard of the circle of 5 idea, but I think it's great and doable. But 20, yikes! That's a lot of balls.
I think I snorted my coffee as I pictured Kathy trying to get balls of steel. :)
Glad the reject isn't bothering you. I got contest scores back recently that didn't bother me either. One judge totally hated me, but I was strangely unaffected. :) Two days later, I found out I won a different contest with the same mss. It's all subjective. :)
Yay, SP! Totally glad I could help. I think I'll adopt the same Circle of Five concept for myself. Though it will take me longer to get five out than you, since I'm not querying agents. But I've set myself a deadline...
I think the idea is that even when you get one rejection, you still have other things out there to give you hope. :) Hey, can't hurt to try it?
Angel
I've never heard of the Circle of 5 either but it sounds like a good plan. Circle of 20 reminds me of those jugglers on Ed Sullivan who would have lots of plates on sticks and they were always running back and forth jiggling a stick to keep the plate from falling.
Glad you're feeling better. The whole Playground crew was kinda puny there for a while.
Sorry for the R but PC's right that a quick one is better than waiting and waiting and waiting. At least you know and can move on.
Cheesecake buddy? Sign me up!
PM
Oh, and what am I doing to boost my writing? Well, I was home alone this week and just knew I'd get scads of writing done. WRONG! The DH kept me busy handling details on this end for the used truck he bought in North Carolina. It's a long, long story that involves #1 son flying to NC tomorrow to pick up the old truck that DH drove up there last weekend and a check sent by Smith Barney that the seller wouldn't accept. Is it Friday yet???
I am sitting with my story notes in front of me. I WILL write today. I will.
PM
What about developing balls of rubber? Think Tigger.
The wonderful thing about Tiggers
Is Tiggers are wonderful things
Their tops are made out of rubber
Their bottoms are made out of springs
Their bouncie, prouncie, bouncie, prouncie, fun, fun, fun, fun, fun
Oh.... the wonderful thing about Tiggers is that I'm the only one,
Oh! I'm... the only one!
I'm feeling this whole 5 thing. The playground is made up of 5,
5 submissions in the mail,
5 days of blogging,
5 is an odd number,
5 golden rings....
Geez, it's hard to moon walk with balls of steel...
I'll have some of whatever Kathy's smoking... :)
Ah, that would be iron and zinc. Only the best will smelt steel.
Cheesecake and Wii...so that's what y'all were doing while I was getting dog bit.
Okay. Once again, I'm feeling left out. Am I the only woman in the world who not only doesn't like chocolate, but doesn't like Ben & Jerry's either? There's a food gene somewhere that I didn't get, and I want it.
Yeah, I know this blog was about putting yourself out there and initiating contact, being proactive instead of reactive, but -- damn it, y'all keep talking about food!
At least I like cheesecake. Some of it, anyway.
Linda
I haven't eaten much Ben and Jerry's. My comfort food of choice is Krispy Kreme. :(
Angel
Cookie Monster says... me want chocolate chip cookies!
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