My intention was to, on the 30th of November, i.e. today, type “The End”. Did I meet my goal? Hell, yes. Actually (she said just a little bit smugly), I typed the end on the 16th of November. Clearly the story wanted to be finished.
Typing “The End” on the first draft of my eighth manuscript was something of a “moment”. I sort of feel there should be room here to include something about the seventh son of the seventh son and that fireworks should erupt. However, it was somewhat more sobering than that. It made me realise how long I’ve been working on my craft, creating stories and words and yet I still find myself lingering in the slushpile.
True, these days I’m getting “good rejections” – personal messages from agents or editors – and I take great encouragement from that. At the same time though, I also find myself thinking, especially as more and more of my peers land deals or agents, “Eight manuscripts? Eish! Just how deep does that slushpile go?!”
But what I’ve learned is this - I can write, and I write well (enough “good” rejections tell me this), so, what I need to do is write the right story and make sure it lands on the right desk at the right time. (Yes, I know, easier said than done - and assuming I haven't already done it and some lovely agent or editor currently reading Manuscript Number Seven isn't going to say, any moment now, "I love this! I want to represent you/publish your novel.")
In the journey to the Kingdom of Publication, I take heart from people like my lovely pal and critique partner, Candy Gourlay, who, in her recent acceptance speech for the SCBWI Crystal Kite Award said of her journey to publication:
“Friends who knew I was writing would ask, how’s it going? Are you published yet? They listened politely while I explained that it was not a quick process – probably thinking, she’s just not good enough. Which was exactly what I was thinking.”
Candy Gourlay and fan at the launch of her debut novel, Tall Story
In her speech, which I’d urge you to read, Candy also quotes Sara Zarr, a keynote speaker at the New York SCBWI conference.
"The time between when you are no longer a beginner but you are not yet in the business is the hardest ... and one of the biggest frustrations is: no one can tell you how long this phase will last."
Read Sara Zarr's speech here.
Frankly, with eight manuscripts under my belt, I’m hoping that it’s not going to be that much longer. I’m hoping that Manuscript Number Eight will be the right one, and that it will find the right desk at the right time. I guess the encouraging thing is that I already know there are agents out there who are interested in seeing what I’m up to. Here’s hoping that Manuscript Number Eight is it.
Yes, please, cross your fingers and your toes on my behalf, send positive vibes, invoke the deities of publishing etc.
And now please excuse me while I go and get started on my rewrites – spewing out 48 830 words in two weeks means there will need to be significant pruning, shaping and murdering of little darlings. Stand back, people, I’m armed and dangerous and I’m going in…
11 comments:
Great post Nicky and one I am sure many of us can empathise with! I am sure this is the one...isn't 8 an unbelievably lucky number?!?!? Go get killing your darlings my friend ;-)
I feel your pain, Nicky. I don't have 8 scripts but I am approaching 8 years. I just keep thinking about Candy's example. And that sustains me through the dark hours. Maybe we good writers (yeah, the ones with the nice rejections and the little band of agents who are still interested)are just serving a different apprenticeship, one which ends with awards and nominations (like Candy)and a lasting career.
Well, a girl can hope.
One of the important things to wake up to I think is that you are already living your dream to be a writer. And it's gonna come, Nicky. I'm sure of it. Big hugs!
Keeping paws, claws, jaws and everything else crossable crossed for you. I have absolute faith that you will get there, Nicky, and that all your hard work will pay off. Let's hope nos 7 and 8 will be the Lucky Ones for you!
Ness, Jeannette, Candy and Lucy, you guys are just brilliant - support like yours is what keeps me - and all of us going. That's one of the things that comes out of an organisation like SCBWI, or groups of writers hanging out together. We are all in it together, we all know what it's like - and we all know it's about keeping going, persistence and determination.
Right, now having spent a morning murdering little darlings, I'm now off to bite some builders! xxx
Nicky, I love your writing, whether it`s about guinea fowls who keep invading your back yard or that wonderful sarcastic report about Meg Cabot and her teenie groupies, or just captions under pictures you shot. I can only imagine what a whole long story will be like, and I can`t wait to see one published! Do you hear this, you important people out there? There will be buyers for her books en masse, so make the deal and earn yourself half-blind!
Good luck, Nicky!
Lots of hugs Nicky. You totally deserve to get there and I have everything crossed for you xxx
I really do know in my heart that you'll get there. one way or another. the fact that even after 8 manuscripts you still love what you're doing will undoubtedly show in the work itself. Always, my fingers and toes are crossed for you.
Well done for crossing that finishing line, and here's hoping for lucky number eight!!
My Dad wrote, what he thought was the best thing he had ever written, and it sat in a drawer for five years. It was only by chance that his French publisher asked if he had 'anything else'. He's now won a whole host of awards and is No. 7 in the UK best sellers list. Stick with it cause you never know when it will happen!
C x
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