Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Queries aren't Scary.

We just make them very hairy.

Seriously, guys. I think we build up the agent/publisher/editor in our mind so much, we forget that they're people just like us. People with schedules and workloads and thoughts and ideas. Experience and advice. They demand respect, yes. But there's no need to fear them.

Remember, what's the worst that an agent or a publisher or an editor could do? The absolute worst? 

They can reject your work.

THAT'S IT. 

And guess what... you don't need everyone's approval. In fact, you only need the approval of one person: yourself. As long as you continue to be your own best advocate, the success will fall into line. 

I'm typing this as a reminder not just to you but to me as well. The agent has had my novel for a while; I've been putting off contacting him. I don't want to be rejected - come on, does anyone? But it's time I moved forward and made my own query. Which isn't scary. Or made of berries. It's just hairy. Very hairy.

So glad the agent's name isn't Larry.

I'm here all week, folks. Try the veal.

8 comments:

Melissa Sugar said...

Wishing you luck with the agent you are waiting to fear from. Thank you for the agent pep talk and reminder that we really do make agents and the process of query letters much worse than they are. Good advice and information. Thank you

Al said...

I know what you mean.

And I always try to have the attitude that if you don't ask they can't say yes.

Misha Gerrick said...

Good luck with the agent! I agree. I actually had the same epiphany while writing the other day.

I'm glad you reiterated this for me, because I'm coming closer to the day I send off my first query.

:-)

Jenny said...

Oh, I fear the follow-up to the query more than the query itself. Good luck!

And now I'm picturing a hairy Larry eating berries while writing a query...

Rachael Harrie said...

Great point to remember!

Hugs,

Rach

Maurice Mitchell said...

My brother is a writer and I've watched him sweat over his queries many times. A good reminder on being positive.

Nigel G Mitchell said...

Yeah, we do build it up in our minds. At those times, I remind myself of all those writers who got rejected dozens of times (Stephen King, Frank Herbert) and ended up becoming bestsellers. Like you said, you just need one yes.

nutschell said...

i can totally relate. the waiting part always kills. ugh.good luck on your agent response!
Great meeting you through the A-Z!

nutschell
www.thewritingnut.com