Well, readers. I’ve done it. I wrote a book. Please clap.
No, but seriously, I’ll clap for myself if no one else will. Writing a book is easy, in theory. It’s extremely difficult in execution. I imagine there are millions upon millions of people out there who have formulated great concepts for novels…and then just never been able to see it through to a full-length written manuscript.
I don’t judge those people at all, because this is hard. Some people have unique time constraints that simply make writing a book impossible for them. Others just aren’t able to cinch together their ideas into a well-written work. Whatever the case may be, just know this – if you’ve ever had an idea for a book, I love that for you. If you’ve ever written your idea down, I love that for you. If you’ve ever made an attempt to turn your idea into a book, I love that for you. And if you’ve completed a manuscript based on your idea? I love that for you! Baby steps, guys. Tell me about your book/idea in the comments, if you’d like. Sometimes, just telling other people about your story can get those creative juices flowing!
My book is called The Next World, and I’m immensely proud of it. It’s a Crossover YA/New Adult book in the sci-fi/speculative fiction realms. In one sentence, I’d sum it up as this: Eleven years after murderous beings overtook Earth, two young siblings set out to escape the planet after a chance encounter with a spaceship. I’m not even sure if there’s a hot market for the genre right now; I guess we’ll find out if I don’t get an agent! I’m currently querying it out to agents, which is extremely nerve-wracking, but I’ve managed to keep my cool by focusing on my other ideas. Still, since I’m writing this, allow me to have a moment of vulnerability.
It won’t be the end of the world if this story doesn’t land me an agent. It’s the first book I’ve ever written. Maybe, this is just my way of getting my feet wet in the literary world. I’ve made my peace with that, even before I know which way this is heading. But, I think what’s keeping me calm is that I know even though The Next World was my first novel, it won’t be my last. If TNW doesn’t land me an agent, Queenmaker will. More on that one later 😉 Anyway, I’m confident in myself. I’ve gotten a decently-sized group of beta readers, all of whom genuinely have enjoyed my story from start to finish. That’s heartening, and sometimes, that validation is all you need.
When it comes to the rejections from agents, and I’m more than aware that I will get rejected more often than not, I can take it in stride, because I know this is a subjective industry. But I also know that I’m deeply proud of my story, and deeply proud of myself for writing it. I feel that it is strong, and I feel that it can sell. So now, here we are. Querying. It’s the worst part of the process, but I can handle it. Trying to become a professional writer takes thick skin, and I’ve got that in spades. I feel blessed that I can weather the storm. If you’re in my same boat, I hope this encourages you as well. Trust me, I’ve had moments of imposter syndrome. I’ve had times where I’ve absolutely despised my book. I’ve second-guessed everything. But I’m at the point now where I think my book has been chopped and screwed as much as I can do it.
So now…all I can do is wait. But…
I’m so excited to get this story out to the world! And one way or another, it will be out for the world to read.
Happy reading, happy writing! And by the way…new FREE-VIEW coming soon!
readreaming 