I've finished Face From the Past, had it professionally edited, attended a writer's conference, and signed with a great agent who is busy promoting it to editors. So, what do I do now?
Hmm. Let's see. I could sit around biting my nails, waiting on that magical email that tells me an editor wants to read more, take a break from writing altogether and work on some of the many unfinished household projects that haunt me every day, or begin my next novel.
I'm sure all you writers know the correct option: Begin my next novel, of course. But suppose the emails finally come and all I get is rejection? What then?
One option comes to mind immediately. I could throw a huge pity-party and invite all my unpublished friends to join me. Fess up - I know a lot of you out there know just what I'm talking about. After all, the Lord has numbered our days and life is short, so why should we waste another minute working so hard at something no one appreciates? Right?
Of course not. We are writers––professionals, and we are compelled to write come what may. So, we grit our teeth and dig in.
Yesterday after church, I took my writing sabbath and read, read, read. I finished The Art of War for Writers by James Scott Bell. In it, Bell states that all writers, published and unpublished, need to continue improving their craft by consistently writing and reading. Writing - set a goal to write a given number of words per week and do it, regardless. Reading - we need to read books on writing as well as other novels in the genre we write. If you haven't read The Art of War for Writers, I strongly recommend it as the next book you read to improve your craft.
Bell's book inspired me, so today I have set (and met) my word-count goal, am starting to read Deliver Us From Evil by Robin Caroll, and am actively exploring ideas for my next novel.
Where are you in your writing journey, what are you working on and reading now, and have you set a word-count goal for yourself?
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We do need to keep moving forward. Easier said than done sometimes, but still true. Keep going, and congrats on your progress so far!
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Karen
How exciting for you - an agent promoting and presenting your book! How blessed you are to be this far in such a hard profession.
ReplyDeleteI like that you called us professionals. Often we see our books as dreams, wishes, and what-ifs. But I have wanted to be a writer since high school, and in some shape or form, I have been writing ever since.
I do have a word count goal (shooting for 2000/day 5 days a week). I recently unearthed several novels I began many years ago. One really grabbed my attention and I have been working on it since.
May God bless you journey!
I believe I am eventually going to be writing Christian Historical Romance but right now God has involved me in writing articles that pertain to abuse of all sorts. Many rip at my heart and soul but it needs out. In the times between when I am not checking out my facebook I read. Right now, I am reading "North Carolina Weddings" by Yvonne Lehman. So far so good.:)
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments and encouragement everyone. We all need a lot of encouragement to keep going. It's too easy to give up. And yes, Gee, we also need to make sure we are doing exactly what the Lord has called us to do this very moment. We wouldn't want to get ahead of His plan for us. May God bless all of you as you write what the Lord has laid on your heart!
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