May Newsletter
I want to encourage anyone who is working toward a dream. If you aren’t a writer, wade through the lingo and know this is for you, too.
If there’s one expression every author seeking a traditional contract knows, it is, “The Query Trenches.” The walls are steep, the ground might suck you in, and you’re met with rejection after stinging rejection. A contract is the exception, not the norm. When an author willingly enters the trenches, he is basically saying, “Bring it on, I quite enjoy pain. Let’s have another.”
Maybe you’ve poured years into a project, bleeding your soul onto a page. Maybe you’ve heard, “No,” one too many times. Maybe you’ve begun to question your ability, your talent, or even your calling. I am here to tell you, do not give up.
My husband often reminds me, “This is a marathon, not a sprint.” And even in the most profoundly agonizing rejections, there are blessings. I understand that may sound as if I’m spouting platitudes, but bear with me.
Rejection means opportunity. When our work is rejected, it is a chance for us to see what we could do better. It is an opportunity to learn and grow and be well prepared the next time we stick our necks out. Sometimes, the rejection comes with valuable feedback. Use it!
Sometimes a rejection has nothing to do with the quality of our work but is based on the market or poor timing. “Rejection on a technicality,” a dear friend called it. These rejections, while frustrating, are a good time to step back and evaluate our path. Would a different story sell better, or is this the story your heart must tell? Would self-publishing be a better option, or should you seek out smaller presses? It’s a chance to reassess the best route to get your words into the world.
Rejection is a testing ground. How badly do you want this? How far are you willing to go to obtain it? Can you handle twenty more of these as you strive for your dream? If you’re thinking, “I’ll do whatever it takes,” then dig in. You’re in good company.
In the rejection and in the waiting, we can learn patience and develop a deeper trust in the One who holds it all together. I could write an entire article on the spiritual blessings alone. God doesn’t equip us for a purpose, only to watch us flounder. If we write to honor him, then we must trust him to do what he wants with it. His timing is rarely on our schedule, and his plans may look different than we envision, but the end result is always the best one.
The query trenches… we either surrender and die, or we fight through them. If you’re in the trenches, keep your eyes on your goal. If you’ve had rejections, use them as steppingstones to something better. And keep your head high. You’ve already accomplished something few people do! You’re learning, you’re working hard, and you aren’t going to quit.
Right…?
Onward!
If you need to vent about trenches in your own life, or would like prayer, feel free to reach out!
Writing Updates:
On May 3rd, I had a new flash fiction story, “Recovered,” published with Havok Publishing. As always, they are wonderful to work with. My story is no longer available to the public to read, as each story is free to non-members for only one day. But if you’d like to read other amazing stories with various genres and themes, check out http://gohavok.com.
I’m continuing to search for a publisher and/or agent for my novel/trilogy. The trenches are almost cozy at this point.
Almost.
Fire in the sky!
I had to share these photos with you from the Aurora Borealis last night… in Louisiana! It was such a gift, such a marvelous display of the creativity of a God who wanted even our atmosphere to delight us.
The photos are a bit grainy, so I apologize. But maybe they’ll still make you smile.
Take care, y’all! May your May be blessed.
This essay left me breathless. Nothing you have written screams “you” quite as much as this. Writing is a process, a journey, and not a destination. I marvel at how far and how peacefully you have traveled toward this dream. You are a spiritual force, by the grace of God, and we are all watching and delighting in your story as it unfolds before us. Once you publish a major piece, I think you need to become an agent. No kidding.
Thank you so much for that!