I need help, people! I’m done with my edits and I have readers plowing through my novel as we speak (btw, I still need a beta that’s an actual writer or editor. My readers now aren’t writers, they are family and friends and we all know you need someone with a critical eye. Here is the synopsis of the ms, let me know if any of you out there is interested—thanks!). Now I’m at the point where I have to physically stop myself from sending out a query nearly everyday.I don’t do it, because I know the repercussions of querying too early, but man am I eager to start. I need you all to talk me down from the ledge and keep me from leaping into query hell prematurely.
What do you guys do when you’re suffering from premature query-lation? Think about baseball? Chew your nails to the nub? Eat chocolate? Write other things? Shop? Or all of the above?
11 comments:
It's really hard not to query too early. I definitely did. And then I wanted to reel all those queries back in and say, "Just kidding." My advice would be to try to forget about your MS. That sounds hard, I know, but busy yourself with something else. A good way to do that is to start writing something new. Got any shiny new ideas? Roll with those.
Thanks KM, I do have a few shiny new ideas and my previous ms that I've been working. So I can keep myself busy. I'm just excited!
Karen, I'm in the same boat! It is so hard!! I totally understand. The thing is about this business is that it's such a roller coaster. I was so confident the other day -- feeling so great about my book -- and then I got a bunch of comments from a reader (who's a published author) and she basically told me to change my entire plot.... Uggh! So, today I'm trying to decide to go back to the drawing board or not. Pretty glad I didn't jump into querying already, though. :) I don't know if that helps, but just wanted to commiserate with you!
Amy
I'd definitely be interested in betaing for you. I love all the excerpts you've put up from Platinum Diaries--even though I mostly lurk and don't comment often. You can email me at abbyannisblog(at)earthlink(dot)net
If you want to see some of my writing, just for comparison purposes, you can check it out at http://embrol.blogspot.com/p/chapter-one.html
I always start something else. Or catch up on blogs I haven't read and stuff like that. I post on message boards and things that I push to the side when I am in active writing mode! Oh and housework...but eww....who really wants to do that?
A.L, we have to help each other then. I don’t know how, but we have to talk each other down so we won’t jump before there’s a net! Good luck with your rewrites if that’s what you decide to do.
Abby, thanks! I’ll have to wait until I get home to email you, but I’ve printed off your chapter and I really like what I’ve read so far. So I’ll definitely get in touch.
Stephanie. Housework? Did you really just suggest that? LOL. The bad part about it is, I probably should clean out my closet and I’m looking to redecorate my bedroom, so I guess that’s not such a bad idea.
I'm almost the opposite - I need a quick kick in the backside in order to get me to send out the queries! I'm such a wimp... :)
Maybe if we combined our problems, we'd query at the perfect time!
DON'T Query! I've made that mistake.
I'd be happy to look at your first chapter, if you'd like.
Okay Jemi, I'll kick you, and you can pull me down off the ledge!
Oh, Theresa, thanks! Let me know how to get in touch with you.
I went through this very thing a little while ago. It's difficult to beat. Luckily, I've had a built-in distraction this summer, studying for the bar exam. Plus, I have some betas lined up and I tell myself if I'm not ready to send it to them, I definitely can't send it to agents. Also, reading craft books has helped.
If you still need people in late August/early September, I'd be happy to help. niki.g82 at gmail.
I don't have anything as distracting at the bar, but I've been catching up on all the shows I miss when I write.
And THANKS for the offer to beta! If I still need help later on, I'll certainly drop you a line.
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