As for the above – I always say, no expectations, no disappointments. And the greater our expectations, the more disappointed we'll be.

I think this is so important that I did a post on the topic myself.

http://publishersearch.wordpress.com/2010/06/01/no-expectations-no-disappointments/

As for the above – I always say, no expectations, no disappointments. And the greater our expectations, the more disappointed we'll be.

I think this is so important that I did a post on the topic myself.

http://publishersearch.wordpress.com/2010/06/01/no-expectations-no-disappointments/

I want to offer my thanks for your post. Nevertheless, I also find it irritating that common sense has become a lost charateristic which has been replaced by the ever persistent character flaw selfishness. Thank you again for persevering the waters of mediocracy in order to find that shell that shines.

Great post. Sorry I missed it the first time. I had to laugh at the "Editors and agents are intimidating and self-important" section. I recently wrote a column about my suggested rules for "stalking" Agents and Editors, based on the laws of motion developed by Sir Isaac Newton. (My RWA chapter found it funny enough to post in the chapter newsletter.) Given that the only conferences I've ever attended had few males attendees and only female Agents and Editors, I'm always a little nervous. Anything I might do wrong will be remembered easily.

Reminds me of last summer – I was leaving a bookstore, and as I was getting rang up, I mentioned in passing that I was an editor as a sort of apology to the clerk when she exclaimed over the amount of books I was purchasing (who else buys fifteen novels waiting forty-five minutes for a haircut?)

Unfortunately, the woman behind me in line overheard me and pounced into her spiel about how she was a Writer Laboring On The Next Great American Novel.

I hated having to tell her I am a pissant in the industry with no connections to help her and that I too am writing The Next Great American Novel, so good luck with that. (Not that connections would have helped that pitch, honestly.)

Intimidating? Nah. Impatient? Hells yes. I think authors forget that editors and agents are people too – we have cats to feed, bills to pay, other authors to demoralize, and a plethora of other time-intensive responsibilities to fill our time.

And yeah, a lot of us are writers, too. So when we're not having to massacre your manuscript, we're gnashing our teeth over ours…it's really difficult to get your "inner critic" out of the way when that's what you do for a living.

I like the truth of this. With 99% of work rejected, it's obvious most aren't going to make it in the game.

It doesn't mean to give up your dream or throw writing to the curb. Just realize the dream of being published (not self-published) may never be realized, and one probably should have another motivation for writing.

Love that phrase to replace reprint.

Thanks!

Great post!! Good to get definition to myths … it's encouraging 🙂

Too often we cling to a project that simply isn't working, so sure that it's merely a matter of sticking with it to find it a home. Not always. Better to bring that determination to every project, but know when it's time to turn that same commitment to a fresh one, as well.