I am so ready to be done with revisions and working on this
current thing. Seriously. I mean… I want to publish—badly! But I am kind of experiencing nostalgia for the initial writing
process. Which is really stupid,
because while I’m in the middle of writing, all I think about is being done—Ugh, typical “grass is always
greener” thoughts over here on my side of the fence.
But seriously.
I’m trying to do everything by the book (pun? I don’t know anymore, I
can’t even think about the word “book” without shuddering. Okay, not really.)
I think my query letter is done… If any of you (complete
strangers only, please) would like to critique it for me, email or
comment! I promise not to cry too
much. Or, if I do, I promise not
to mention you by name when I cry tears all over this blog.
Oh, I also wrote a synopsis.
Which is just terribly annoying,
but I had read somewhere (I can’t even keep track anymore….) that a literary
agent might request a synopsis following the query. So! I wrote one, then tweeted on the #askagent thread on
twitter, aaaaaand pretty much was told that it’s pretty unlikely I’ll be asked
for a synopsis. This = relief
because I’d much rather the manuscript float on it’s own, but this also = ARGH
because that synopsis has been my brain baby for hours upon hours of writing
this week.
Anyways.
I’m
not sure the point of this post.
This is one of those times where I should probably be journaling
consistently in a leather bound book you’ll never have to see, so I can only
stick to the FANTASTICALLY INTERESTNG INSIGHTS that usually take up this page.
I’m waiting for my very last critique to arrive in the mail… That is, a big scary brown envelope full of red writing. Still, I’m looking forward to it being here, and I’m glad I’m
done with my (probably terrible) query and (probably useless) synopsis so that
I can focus completely on my SEVENTH REVISION.
And then… a one-way ticket to rejection town.
But!
I'm ready to start on my next project... it is about as absolutely different from this as you can get. Which sounds wonderful. I miss the honeymoon period (which I know I'll be agonizing over once it gets here), because I'm a writer, and that's what we do. And yet... as torturous as it can sometimes be, there is nothing like that feeling of having written.
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
So, how long does your honeymoon period last, when you start something new?
For those of you on my same side of the fence, do you immediately start writing something new when you reach the stage of querying?
OH!
And does anyone have any experience as far as synopsises, synopsi, uh... synopsis' (?) go?!
13 comments:
Hi Lauren, I was recently asked for a synopsis. I labored for hours and hours, sent it off and have heard NOTHING. [And probably won't.] That said, I'm really glad I did it. It serves as a good discipline in the whole cosmic classroom of writing and becoming an author.
As for the honeymoon, I seem to go in stages. In other words, it ebbs and flows. One day I love what I do. Another day I hate it and wonder why I'm wasting so much of my life chasing after the wind. Then I'll swing back, probably because I really do love it so much and can't see myself NOT writing.
I would love to critique your query if you like, although I'm not a very good one to ask since I can't seem to get it figured out myself.
Whatever the case, I wish you much success on your endeavor. you've got a great voice and I'm sure you'll make agents swoon.
Okay, so it wasn't all a waste! And you're exactly right... No matter how awful it sometimes feels, there's no way to imagine NOT being a writer (this could probably apply to a lot of things... like... motherhood haha).
And swooning agents, I wish! They always place so much emphasis on "voice," though, so it would be nice if you were right!
I really admire you for pouring your all into creating something like this. Writing has always been a passion of mine, but recently I've lost that passion for whatever reason. I hope I get it back.
Synopsis sounds like an ancient Greek philosopher, doesn't it? And I know most of us would rather kiss an ancient Greek philosopher than write one!
I just started the rough draft of my 3rd Victor Standish novel, and it felt great to be getting him and his ghoul friend into new troubles. If they ever find me, am I gonna be in for it! Roland
Oh, the dreaded Synopsis. I haven't tread in those dangerous waters yet. My honeymoon period lasts about as long as it takes me to get halfway through the book. Then all my plotting and scheming goes to hell and I spend a month rethinking everything.
I just got back from hell actually. Looking forward to typing up all those shiny new thoughts.
Lauren, I would love to have a look at your query if you like. I'll send you an email. :)
I totally get what you mean. When I was working on my first draft I just wanted to be done with it. Now that I'm doing revisions, I want to curl up into a ball and cry.
It's great that you got your synopsis done because you never know when an agent will request it. I'm going to write one just in case.
Hang in there! :)
Sorry, I must be insanely blind, or just stupid, but I couldn't find your email address, so if you like, send me an email. :)
komalk.lewis(at)gmail(dot)com
Hey, it's better to have a synopsis and not need it than need it and not have it. (Been there, done that - when I tried to get away with not writing one and then an agent requested one. Ack.)
Have you thought about sending your query off to one of the query crit blogs - QueryShark or Public Query Slushpile? I'd offer, but I don't have enough faith in my own query abilities right now to subject anyone to my advice.
I can't stand doing synopses! I definitely do start a new project (or read my TBR pile) when I started querying.
Ugh. Queries AND Synopsisieessss?? Blah. You have my sympathies!
I know what you mean, though... I'm ENTIRELY sick of the book I'm writing right now. Or rather... REVISING... right now. Its only like... the 50 millionth revision and I kind of would rather stab myself and pour lemon juice on the wound than keep going...
But of course, I do. [sigh]
Good luck!
P.s. The pics on your sidebar make my trunky to travel again. LOVE!!
I can't tell you how much I wish I could get OUT of the honeymoon phase right now with my project. I've been here for nearly a year now, and believe me when I say, the magic is gone. I think it's incredible you've gotten to this place, and I wish you the best of luck as you wait on publication. :)
The synopsis wasn't a waste. Two of my writer friends had to submit "full synopses" (like 6-7 pages) to different agents this past week. It's good to have a longer one like that and a 1-2 pager.
The honeymoon phase lasts forever for me (though there are many downs, to be sure). The other day I came up with an idea for a new book, a sci-fi, modern, etc. (my finished book is historical fantasy), and then I realized the character, all her core issues, even the them of the book was EXACTLY the same as my finished book. I had a major eye roll with myself. I guess that means the other book is still living and breathing in me. I'm still honeymooning. :-)
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