Waiting and patience are vital in the publishing industry and from the outside it's hard for some to imagine that trying to get a book published isn't easy. I've posted before about how my dad thought that all a writer did was write the first draft, maybe edit a little then send off and voila! But I have to be a little honest here: I thought it was going to be a little easier, or at least take a little less time than this.
Back in December of 2009, I made my writing goals for the year of 2010 and one of those goals was to not only have the YA mutant novel second draft finished (which I haven't even accomplished yet) but I thought I'd have it edited and after said edit would be able to get a query ready and start sending at the beginning of 2011. I can tell now and even figured it out months ago that the goal wasn't going to happen. It was a disappointment actually. One problem I forgot to mention when talking about writing on several manuscripts is it feels like I've spent at least 5 years working towards this goal but that hasn't been on a single project, so I don't have any that are at the ready stage. But it feels like I should. Sure, I'm closer, just not where I thought I'd be but at least I'm not rushing it by sending out a book that isn't ready. Still can't help but feel like this is taking too long though.
Anyone else think it wouldn't take a long long time?
It's almost time for 2011 goals and I'm tempted to put a query goal but not sure if it's realistic. I plan to get the novel to beta readers since I've learned that is a really good plan. Still thinking about it. There is no way of knowing yet how long it will take for me, but I do know one thing. If I'm going to get somewhere I'd better go write.
4 comments:
When I first started, I didn't know it was going to be this hard. It doesn't help that I came out of the closet with my family and they keep asking me... so what are you waiting for, publish it already. Well...they don't know what's involved. For me, the important thing is to be realistic with your goals and really there isn't another way than just doing it. Give yourself room to enjoy it too! Everything WILL turn out better in 2011!
E. Arroyo - Thanks for commenting. I try to keep the goals realistic but sometimes it can be tough. Hope you have a good 2011 too.
Dawn, dearest, when I first started writing I thought it would take me 6 months tops to go from first draft to contract with an agent.
*laughs at self*
Since then I've learned the cold hard truth. You cannot rush the making of a truly good book. You're not alone, darling.
JD - That's pretty much how long my dad probably thinks it takes. When I first started I didn't even think about it but yeah, it's hard to imagine that books take more than 3 years sometimes to even be close to showing to beta readers. It's a long road but luckily there are many wanderers on it to keep me company.
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