So, remember yesterday when I was worried about looking like a flake to the heads of the college program I'm trying to get into? Turns out, I already accomplished this. When I went to email them to let them know about my high school transcript snafu, I found an email suggesting I send the written piece directly rather than just through the proper path because the proper one doesn't get checked frequently and could take a long time to get to them. This email came nine days before and somehow I didn't see it though it was marked as read. I think I need to do email box cleanup because I'm getting swamped with junk email.
So what did I do? I admitted I didn't see it and attached it then informed them of the transcript issue.
Anyway, today I saw a friend had posted about doing another revision on his book before querying again and I realized I do this between every one too. Then I thought, maybe we all need to be more confident in our stories and just keep sending them out. Publishers and agents often reject stories they even enjoy reading because it's not about the story but how it fits with the rest they publish or represent. Or because they can't personally relate to it, which is how I feel about Hemingway. I'm not a rich white dude who spends a lot of time drunk or hunting, so I just don't relate to the content.
So I'm going to believe in my story and keep sending it out until I find someone who loves it as much as I do. This doesn't mean there aren't parts that can be improved upon, but the publisher that accepts it will have me do some edits anyway. Why waste time revising something that is publishable as is, when I could be working on the next story?
I didn't get the query out yesterday, but I damn sure will today.
Whatever you're struggling with, whether it be an art project or a situation, try believing in yourself and see where that takes you. That's what I'm going to do.
Salut,
R~