Some say there's bad news on the publishing front, that publishing houses are dropping like flies in a cloud of insecticide. Maybe, but then again, maybe not. Even during the Great Depression of the 1930's, books continued to be published and read. Authors like Faulkner and Fitzgerald, Hemingway and Wharton turned out some of their greatest work during those terrible years.
As for the new writer, me for instance, dreams never die no matter how hard the times. Even on this New Year's Eve, I'm hard at it, working to perfect my second novel, beta-ing my crit partners projects, and thinking about the plot line for the third book. Somewhere in the back of my den, the television is blaring with the Times Square celebration. Revelers are shivering in the cold (something like 16 degrees) while they wait for the mighty ball to fall. Not me. I'm safe at home, a fire roaring in my fireplace, and I'm working, working toward the dream.
My dream is to land an agent in 2009 and to have that agent sell one of my novels. No, not a dream. "As a man speaketh, so he is," the Bible says. I am speaking into the cosmos this New Year's Eve, speaking as if the dream isn't a dream at all, speaking as if the dream is a reality. This is my year, my year to become an agented and published author. This is the year my name finally appears in print.
Before that can happen, of course, I must edit and revise the second novel and finish the current work in progress. Time. It's all about time, the time it takes to do the job, the time it takes to redo the job, and the time it takes to get an agent or editor to read my work. Of course, don't forget the time it takes to have the crit partner read and the writing group read.
New years offer new times. New times means more time. Time is the key. Take the time to create the best work you can. While I work within the element of time, I wish you good times: a good year, good fellowship, and most of all good writing. Happy New Year.
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4 comments:
The dream does die, usually one little bit at a time. The dying process starts with rejection, and ends with time. As you say, it is all about time. I would only add that motivation is also a huge factor. My dream is about snuffed out, a tiny smoldering wick hoping for a light breeze to ignite it again.
I wish you success this year. May you obtain an agent, and see early results therefrom. May you find the time to write and complete works in progress and begin new.
David, I feel for you, but rejection is a part of the overall process. You can't get accepted if you don't risk rejection, and you can't get accepted if you don't fight through the rejections.
That's true in all walks of life, not just the writer's life.
Tolkein worked 20 years on the Lord of the Rings. And he was rejected and then forced to break it up into three books. Louis L'Amour was rejected almost 400 times before he sold ONE THING. Perseverence is the key to success.
Hang in there and persevere.
And, Willie? You're GETTING an agent this year, girl! The Pack will not be denied! :-D
Gini
Gini:
As I said in my post, the death of the dream begins in rejection but ends in time, and that time is the big factor. I can take rejection, but I can't manufacture hours.
The publishing industry is going through radical changes right now, and no one knows where it will land. Editors are more hesitant to take on new writers than ever before. What "luck", to be trying to break into authorship at this difficult time.
Time. It's all about time.
Yes, publishing is difficult these days, but isn't that what dreams are all about? Overcoming the odds. Making that three pointer from half court. You can't make those three points unless you take the shot.
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