The 'R' Word

Well, I thought that since my last post happened to be "First Query Letter... Ever", I think it's only natural that "Rejection" is my topic for today.

So... I got my first rejection letter.

It's expected, of course.  We've all heard that story of J.K. Rowling having to query about a hundred times before she ever got accepted.

I have to say, it's embarrassing to admit that I was a little disappointed.  It's embarrassing because I don't want to be disappointed.  But when you love something so much and you get 'rejected', it just isn't... reassuring.

On a more positive note, they're sending back fast.  The first person I sent to got back within two days, and the second sent back over night.  And even though both were rejects, at least I didn't have to wait so long.

The good news is I picked myself up and am back with a new evil plot to take over the world with my books  plan to get published.  But more about that some other time ;)

How do you guys feel (honestly) when you get rejection letters?  How many times have you had to query?


--Jess

First Query Letter... Ever.

Today, I sent off my first query letter.

It was probably the scariest and most exciting thing I'd ever done.

I had her email address in the "Send To" box, and the words Query Letter as the title, but I still wasn't ready.

I switched back to my query letter and read it.

Cut out a 'that'.

Then I read it again.

Reworded a sentence.

Then read it again.

My fingers started to tremble, because I was running out of things I knew how to fix.  And I knew that once I couldn't find anything wrong, I'd have to send it.

I asked my mom to read over it.

Changed another sentence.

When my mom said it was good, I nodded and pasted my query into the email.

Read over it again.

Everything was fine.

I was done.

And being 'done' scared the crap out of me.  I'd never been done before.  Done with a draft, but never like... done. Finished.  The End.

I moused over the 'send' button, but something held me back.  I touched the 'left click' button on the mouse, but couldn't press it.  There had to be something I was missing.

After reading over it ONE. MORE. TIME. I decided I had to go for it.

I took a deep breath and got ready to press it again.

No, actually, I took a deep breath, crossed my fingers, crossed my toes, my legs and my arms and shut my eyes.

Carefully, I pressed it.

But I didn't let go.  I held it down, knowing the moment I picked up my finger, it would be sent.

Then of course, my mom came over and lifted up my hand from my computer.

Message sent.

I spent about an hour trying to stay calm after that.  I'd start cracking up randomly and then feel a little queasy.  Finally, I settled down and was pretty much okay.

How do you guys feel about sending out query letters?  Do you get nervous?


Have an awesome weekend!

--Jess