Monday, January 24, 2011

I DID IT

Happy Monday everyone! :)

I spent this entire past weekend working on the first draft of my query. And I do mean the entire weekend. I actually finished it, and fully rewrote it 9 times.

I'm definitely going to re-write it at least 20 more times before it's ready. And the thing is... this is just ONE page... what am I going to do at the end of this week when I reopen my MS and discover I need to edit and rewrite 368 pages???

You know... it's a nerve wracking thought, but regardless, I'm still looking forward to it.

Because it's moving me closer to one of my major goals... not the one of being published (although that is at the top of the list).

No, it's being able to stand back, and take a good look at what I've created and say... I DID IT.

And it won't be the first time I've been able to claim those words... I've done it at each milestone along the way... to remind myself of how far I've come, and how worthwhile the journey has been.

To remind myself that THIS is why I keep going even when it seems like there's no end in sight.

Each step in this process, as scary as they may seem, they're all taking us somewhere.

No matter which one you're at, whether it's finishing your novel or your query, opening that word document and writing that first page, emailing that agent for the first or hundredth time, DECIDING you want to be writer--even though you've never even written a short story... these are significant accomplishments, and we should be proud :)

Which step of this wonderful process are you currently at? What's next? When have you recently said, "Wow... I DID IT"?

43 comments:

Janet Johnson said...

Congratulations! Query letters are HARD!

I'm at the writing a great query letter stage, too. :) And I said "Wow, I did it!" when I finished my latest ms. :) Feels GREAT!

Hanny said...

Well congratulations on getting so much done! Be real and forgiving with yourself though, and remember that it may never be quite good enough for you, the artist. I'm sure it will be great for everyone else!

Karen Jones Gowen said...

That I DID IT feeling is such a rush.

Unknown said...

Well done! Congrats :)

Jennifer Shirk said...

Great job!! Best of luck with it!!

Lindsay N. Currie said...

CONGRATULATIONS!!! You took the first, hardest step:)

Alleged Author said...

Hooray! Query writing stinks! So glad you were able to come up with query. It takes me eons to finish mine!

Theresa Milstein said...

Queries are HARD. Good for you for keeping at it. Writers probably agonize of them more than anything else.

I've recently two short stories, which is something I used to never do. Maybe it will open more doors for me. One I've submitted to a place. Now I'm going to submit the new one.

Erinn said...

I'm about at the same place.. It's terrifying isn't it? I wish you the best of luck.

Melissa said...

COngratulations!!!! Queries terrify me!

Wendy Lu said...

Congratulations! :) That's absolutely wonderful news...wow, I must say that you are a very dedicated and FAST writer indeed. Kudos to you! Best of luck with querying.

And I definitely agree with you. Every little step counts and should be acknowledged and celebrated!

~TRA

http://xtheredangelx.blogspot.com

alexia said...

Way to tackle that query! You can do the same with your book.

I am just happy to be meeting my writing goals for my second book now... trying to get more consistent with my schedule.

Joanne said...

I am querying a project right now, and while those are out there, I'm editing another manuscript and working on a commentary for the local paper. There's always a project on the burner waiting for attention!

Wannabe Writer said...

Go, go, go! Here's to only 19 more rewrites. :)

I'm still trying to finish my first book, but I can't wait to say 'I DID IT' too!

Jemi Fraser said...

Congrats!!! I love that feeling! I'm finishing one first draft and thinking about a rewrite on another story :)

The Happy Whisk said...

Excellent work. Two cupcakes for you. Good job.

Colene Murphy said...

Amazing! Congratulations on finishing it!!

Shallee said...

Way to go! Queries are tough cookies. I've rewritten mine about 600 times. Not really. But close.

I'm getting close to an I Did It moment...I'm almost done with my revisions and ready to send to beta readers. I can't wait!

Brenda Susan said...

Congrats and you have inspired me though your idea that it is the small milestones that are worth celebrating! They really are not small because they all lead to the main objective!
I have a book in me and have spent the last 6 months still trying to figure out my target, my voice and doing research. But it has not been wasted time, I am getting somewhere.
But the time is coming to open that blank doc and begin tapping away!
Thank you!

Áine Tierney said...

Congratulations on another goal reached! I believe in your philosophy of celebrating the small milestones - especially with something like writing a book as so many stages can blend into each other. Best of luck with the next goal.

Jamie Grey said...

Ugh - query letters are my least favorite thing about this whole process - so congrats on getting it started!

What a great way to think about this path to publication - I think we get so wrapped up in the final goal that we forget to be proud of ourselves for reaching each step. I am definitley going to try and remember this more with my own process! I'm currently revising and wow am I ready to be done :)

Talli Roland said...

That's fantastic - yay for you, and yay for moving one step closer to your dreams! Query letters are so hard but it sounds like you're doing everything possible to make sure you're ready.

Misha Gerrick said...

Congrats on finishing the query letter.

Me, I'm on my first rewrite of my novel.

When I'm done, I'll do another round of rewrites and edits.

When that's done, I'll consider my query letter.

Good luck with getting yours perfect.

:-)

Southpaw said...

Congrats!

Terri Tiffany said...

Queries are hard to write--good for you for working at it so long!
I am starting my first stage of revisions. Went to the library for some quiet time this am and the parking lot was FULL!! UGH. I couldn't even get in!

Krispy said...

Congrats!!! This journey is a long one. We should definitely celebrate every milestone. :)

Margaret said...

Wait until you have to write the synopsis. That's the hardest one of all, at least in my opinion. I recently signed with an agent and she is getting ready to shop my women's fiction manuscript around.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

That's great! If you need help critiquing it, check out Matthew Rush's site, The QQQE.
I'm in the middle of revisions right now.
And still recovering from yesterday's blogfest.

Saumya said...

Congratulations!! Query letters sometimes feel more difficult to write than rewrites of the entire book. Good luck with that! I'm glad you're celebrating what you have done :) It's very important to do that.

Natascha said...

Yay! Awesome job! Hmm...right now, I'm in the final read through for my MS. Off to one last round of BETAs and then into submissions! Congratulations for being so dedicated. I'm jealous!

Julie Musil said...

Hooray for you! Congratulations on accomplishing something MAJOR!

I also drafted my query this weekend, but it still needs lots of work. You and I wrote something we can work with, and that's big.

Creepy Query Girl said...

After finishing my first draft. After getting my first request for material from an agent. those are def. 'I did it' moments! Great post!

nutschell said...

Oh my gosh! It's so awesome that I chanced upon your blog. We have so many similarities it seems. Last Monday, i also sent out my first ever query letter! And, my blog is called www.thewritingnut.com!

Jan Markley said...

You should be proud of yourself. Finishing the manuscript is hard, perfecting the query letter is hellish! Congrats on both counts!

Unknown said...

You go! Queries are tough business - an art form unto themselves. Just completing one is a mammoth task; polishing one up and sending it out is even better. Best of luck with the agents!

Anonymous said...

Query writing is so hard. Like you, I read and rewrote mine multiple times. Good luck. :)

Kenda Turner said...

Don't give up on that query--you'll get it just right!

And just want you to know I have something for you over at my place :-)

Anonymous said...

Congrats. Each completed step is a wonderful experience. Enjoy them all. Good luck with your book and query.

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

huge congrats! Personally I think that's the hardest stage. I'll be querying again this year, but I'm currently at the revisions stage (easy by comparison)

Lydia Kang said...

Query letters are such a nightmare, so good for you for working on it!

Lisa Gail Green said...

You are soooo right!! Celebrate each step, because it's the journey that means everything, or it isn't worth taking. Best of luck when you dive back in! I think I have a blog entry about revision coming up sometime next week..

kathrynjankowski said...

I just rewrote mine, so congrats on reworking yours. If you're feeling brave, you can ask for feedback at the Agent Query website.

Finishing my third draft. Want it as polished as possible, as I'm submitting the first 15 pages for a professional critique at my local upcoming SCBWI conference.

J.L. Campbell said...

I'm reworking a synopsis. Hopefully, by days end, I'll be able to say, 'I did it!'