Then she laughed and said, "But you guys are all crazy. You have to be with everything you go through to get a book published." I laughed too, because she's right. We are in a tough field. One that means constant rejection at every stage. In a way, we are crazy for putting ourselves through it.
I loved that this reader understood how tough it really is. She admitted that she's become friends with several authors so she hears about the process and knows the level of difficulty. I really wish more readers did.
So here's to us, the crazy writers who keep going despite all the rejection. And here's to the readers who truly get us.
*If you have a question you'd like me to answer from the other side of the editor's desk, feel free to leave it in the comments and I'll schedule it for a future post.
LOL ~ I've taken to bringing a tablet to every event and writing down the person's name before writing it in the book, JUST to make sure I don't get it wrong. Because I can't spell a name, and write something in their book, and sign my name WHILE talking to the person all at the same time without messing something up.
ReplyDeleteIt definitely requires great multitasking skills. I have Post-its for people to write their names on for big events.
DeleteHere's to writers! =)
ReplyDelete:)
DeleteI'm so glad some readers get what we authors go through, something those who don't have non-industry readers yet don't know for ourselves.
ReplyDeleteMy question to the editor part of you, Kelly, most editors know that not all writers are jerky divas, right?
Sometimes when agents or editors (at publishers) address writers, there's often this unspoken (but keenly felt) air of "You've no idea how to work hard" and I know you're not like that (though I've never submitted anything to you, your suggestions for "Gabriel" really helped me), but I do feel that vibe often, and I don't think it's always "all in my head."
Are you getting that vibe via email or online? I think sometimes (because we're busy) we can come across the wrong way. I'm mindful of this, but there have been times when I send and email and wonder if the recipient will take it the wrong way.
DeleteI got so nervous when signing a book for a favorite teacher that I totally misspelled her name even though I've written it hundreds of times. I guess sometimes the brain glitches, so writing it down first on a tablet as Diane suggested sounds like a great idea.
ReplyDeleteIt's definitely helpful. We're human. We make mistakes.
DeleteAmen to that. So few people get the insanity, which is why we need our writerly buddies, eh?
ReplyDeleteDefinitely!
DeleteOf course all the most interesting people are at least slightly bonkers!
ReplyDeleteVery true!
DeleteCrazy people are the most creative in my experience.
ReplyDeleteYes, I've found that to be the case too.
DeleteYep. Plum loco. Lot's of fun too. :)
ReplyDeleteIt is fun. ;)
DeleteI think we're "crazy" because we dare to question the day-to-day lives most people lead. We aren't happy with that--we want to pursue our passion!
ReplyDeleteYes, we do. Most people don't follow their passion though. Maybe we're actually the sane ones.
DeleteCheers to the crazies! :) The reader you met sounds awesome! I love that she gets that writers are people and that they are a little crazy too. Awesome post!
ReplyDelete~Jess
She was. She really understood what we go through--as much as someone who isn't a writer can.
DeleteHow wonderful that she gets us. I don't meet many non-writers who do.
ReplyDeleteYeah, it's rare.
DeleteI lift my glass to all writers! All of us work extremely hard on our craft and also to stay grounded and not give up. It's a really difficult industry to break into and to stay focused without giving into the pressure.
ReplyDeleteThat's very true, Allyn.
DeleteYeah, and that's what makes us fun. Great post!
ReplyDelete;) Right you are, Auden.
DeleteWho was it that said the definition of madness is doing something over and over expecting a different result? By normal definition we who keep sending our work out are crazy.
ReplyDeleteVery true. :)
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