Rejected

I've been watching my inbox for weeks now, waiting for agents' replies. I have about eight queries out. Yesterday one came back.

Rejected.

At first there was the sinking of my hopes, but then it was followed by relief. An answer at last. Time to target my next unsuspecting agent. Hehehehe, I actually like this part of the game. The thrill of the hunt, I guess.

The rejection letter confused me. I'm pretty sure it's a form one because I addressed a particular agent and received a Sincerely, The Agency reply. But then the letter said the plot didn't resound with them. I like to do Thank Yous on personalized rejections but can't figure out if this is one or not.

Oh, well. Time to send out another query.

Comments

Anonymous said…
You've got a great attitude, Jessica! Keep sending them out. I actually used to send "thank yous" even if the rejections weren't personalized. It made me feel like I had the last word, like winning my power back.

Funny, the sneaky things we do as writers to keep ourselves sane and positive. :-)
July 23, 2008 at 11:12 PM
Anonymous said…
You've got to love closure even when it comes in the form a a rejection. It just screams 'Finally!'

Watching the e-mail inbox day in and day out is enough to drive you crazy! Funny thing is, when I see a reply or e-mail from an agent/editor, it takes me ten minutes before I can even click on it.

I usually clean up my other e-mails then close my eyes after I click. LOL.

Keep that positive outlook, Jessie!
July 25, 2008 at 1:57 PM
Jessica Nelson said…
Thanks Candi! Yeah, sometimes it takes me a few minutes to open the e-mail. There's always this beginning rush before logic steps in and tempers the hope. But I think you're right in that it's definitely about closure. It's just nice to know I can cross that agent off my list and move on.
July 26, 2008 at 9:55 AM
Jennifer @ Conversion Diary said…
Keep up the good work! I once heard a great tip that writers should set their writing goals based on the number of rejection notices that they want to get in a month or year -- that way at least you feel a sense of accomplishment when you hit your numbers! :)

I'm excited to run into the blog of another writer mom of little ones. I saw your post on Rachelle's site and just had to leave a comment. I also have three kids under four and am an aspiring writer. I just had to drop by to say hello!
July 30, 2008 at 9:19 PM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

My Booty Hurts

Too much information? LOL It hurts because I've been working out at the gym. I just started last week and I'm probably not as sore as I should be, but there is a twinge here and there, just enough to tell me something is getting exercise. Do I like to work out? NO WAY! But I do it because I want the end product: toned muscles and a strong inside (you know, whatever is supposed to get better because I'm exercising, lol). I read many, many blogs. Especially yours. One thing we all have in common is our frustration with fitting writing into our busy schedules. And sometimes, we just plain don't want to write. I'll confess: the other night I watched two shows on my computer instead of writing. No busy schedule there, just a lazy writer. :-) The thing is, if we want the end product, if we want to finish a manuscript and pursue publication, then we need to force ourselves to write. It's not always fun, passionate or exciting. It's work. And like work, when well-do
Read more

Why Being Unpublished is Like Being Single

Remember back in the day when you longed for a man, that one special man, who would fill your nights with warmth and smother you with spine-melting kisses? Remember how you'd see all the married couples and think "Where's my love?" And you'd look around and realize you were the only single person in the crowd. The loneliness got to you, drove you into the bookstore where, foggy-eyed and grief-stricken, you stumbled across a book titled (I'm guessing here) BEING HAPPY WHILE SINGLE. You bought it because it seemed like a good idea at the time. And then suddenly it seems all people want to talk about is how good it is to be single! The wives tell you to be relieved that you can stay up until three in the morning with the lights on. Be glad no one pees on your toilet rim. This is us, my dear writer friends. :-) We are the single folks. Yes, there are wonderful, beautiful thrills to being married (published). But there's also hard work, deadlines, interferences
Read more

Freaking Out, Just a Little Bit

You all may know that I and several other bloggers are going to the ACFW conference in three weeks. In preparation, I've been working on my pitch. There's a little problem though. I can write it fine, but when it comes to talking....my tongue messes up. When I'm nervous, I talk too fast, I talk too quiet, I use the wrong words or I *gasp* stutter over my syllables. Or worse, come off sounding as nervous as I am, maybe even arrogant. *cringe* Have you ever verbally pitched someone? Does trying your pitch out on friends/family help? My hair feels like it may turn gray (I know the day is coming, blech). Any advice for this pitching newbie?
Read more