Every first Wednesday of the month, the IWSG (Insecure Writer’s Support Group) engages writers to share their fears, thoughts, progress, struggles, excitement, encouragement, or anything really, about their writing. A different question is posed each month as a writing prompt. Answering it is optional. For December, the question is: “How would you describe your future writer self, your life, and what it looks and feels like if you were living the dream?”
This amazing, supportive group of writers was founded by Alex J. Cavanaugh. Today, the co-hosts are Tonja Drecker, Beverly Stowe McClure, Nicki Elson, Fundy Blue, and Tyrean Martinson.
My answer to the question
While most writers will have fun answering this question, it scares me to think about being a full-time author, or a writer who has reached the dream of becoming successfully published, respected, famous, or even well-paid. You see, that would mean there is no time for anything else! And, as much as I love and enjoy and am used to writing, my first and foremost passion is to travel. From experience, I can tell you this is a tough combo! So, I guess my perfect writer life would be to see and experience the world, with enough “down” time to write whatever I feel passionate about and sell the end products. Or, be a dedicated and successful author with plenty of time to travel.
My book progress
As hinted at in my last IWSG post, it wasn’t looking good for my memoir querying progress in November, despite really believing in it earlier. The first week, we traveled from Massachusetts to Kentucky (more about that later) and I took care of my monthly editing job. Then, I was extremely busy with translations for two full weeks, as in 10-hour days behind the computer. The following week, I rewrote the first paragraph of my query letter (and again and again) and submitted my memoir project to 40 more agents. Yes, I did it! Days before Thanksgiving (and my birthday). This concludes my list of 130 agents, gathered over the months.
Unfortunately, some of those agents left their agency, one agency closed, and a handful of others were not open to submissions anymore by the time I queried them. The result is that I’m up to 120 queries sent – and 33 rejections received – this year and have about five more agents to contact, on January 2nd. Most of the letters are written, so this task should only take one day.
Every Sunday, I receive a newsletter from Jane Friedman – guru of all things memoir – with an overview of that week’s blog posts. The one that really stood out a little while ago was https://www.janefriedman.com/what-you-dont-learn-mfa-programs, a guest post by Susan DeFreitas. Ever since she wrote that “Agents and acquisitions editors don’t read the same way peers and mentors do. They skim and read fast, looking for clues about your voice, writing style, and story lines,” I contemplated changing my first twenty pages (which are the sample chapters often added to a query and are part of the book proposal), so they stand out more… On the other hand, revising my manuscript yet again would have taken time and energy that I decided to use for more agent queries. Should I have improved those pages first?
What’s next?
Research niche publishers, to whom I’ll submit early next year. Since this month is now considered “the holidays” by the industry, I can finally focus on other (writing) projects, without feeling guilty about lack of progress with my memoir!
How are your projects going, now that the end of the year is near?
December 4, 2019 at 12:18
How frustrating it must all be. So impressed by your perseverance and resilience. Love the picture of Maya – what a cutie pie.
December 4, 2019 at 12:32
Maya is just the prettiest and softest and sweetest and cutest dog around. But, she does have her issues. 🙂 As far the perseverance, let’s just call it stubbornness. I can’t help but think that I’m all words and you’re the one doing it and getting somewhere. Action girl! 🙂
December 4, 2019 at 13:52
You can achieve that dream – Patsy Collins isn’t a huge name writer, but she does it full time and while traveling their camper van. Hmm, maybe the camper van is the secret.
Sorry about the agents. There are a lot of publishers out there though.
December 4, 2019 at 23:05
Aha, I found the secret to become a traveling writer. Or a writing traveler. The van! But, who knows how long this will remain our home… Thank you for your continued encouragement, Alex! You are the most awesome ninja I know. 🙂
December 4, 2019 at 16:58
I continue to be impressed by your persistence Happy belated birthday!!
December 4, 2019 at 23:08
Hello Lexie! Can you tell I’m a stubborn person? 🙂 My birthday was very different from other years, another new experience. Life’s an adventure and thank you for the B-day wishes.
December 4, 2019 at 19:48
Happy Belated Birthday, Liesbet – I know that your publisher is out there and that your perseverence and hard work will pay off. Wishing you, Mark and Maya a wonderful holiday season.
December 4, 2019 at 23:10
Happy Holidays to you and Richard as well, Donna! If perseverance always pays off, I have a chance. But, if patience wears off before that, I’ll have to go a different route. 🙂 As always, I’m so happy to have you in my corner!
December 4, 2019 at 22:01
It didn’t escape my notice that you put in 10-hour days with translation, etc. and that you continue to query agents. I also noticed that you mentioned again that travel is your passion. Keep doing that and I have a feeling that success in other areas will come.
About well-paid author – ha! There is very little money in publishing a single book. I’m glad my motive for bringing Mennonite Daughter to life was not monetary but telling my story and leaving a legacy. Probably Jane Friedman, whom I admire, will tell you that too. Actually, I tried to sign up for a course she sponsored about marketing but it was at capacity.
Enjoy December. You deserve a breather, Liesbet!
December 5, 2019 at 12:10
I can’t see myself doing anything other than traveling right now either. It takes so much time – and even when we try to slow down we have little time for other things. I am amazed at how much you manage to get down while you are traveling.
You have incredible focus to be able to spend 10 hours a day on a computer in a small van. And such persistence with those agents. I am sure it will pay off somewhere down the road.
Happy belated birthday! I hope it was full of good drink, good food, kisses, and dog snuggles!
December 6, 2019 at 18:24
Hey there Duwan!
I hope you’re enjoying your time back on the road. While my productiveness will take a deep dive, I’m looking forward to do the same again soon. And, really, I rarely get anything done while we are traveling, except a once-a-week blog post and translations that pop up, since I make that a priority due to the needed income.
Hopefully, this agent stuff will pay off somewhere down the road. I doubt it, though, and then I might regret all those months I spent on creating the book proposal and query letters. Oh well… I don’t seem to be successful in any of the “big” personal achievements I try to accomplish. If I give up on it all, imagine how much more enjoyable my (travel) life would be!! And, I could focus on writing for money again…
Spending those ten hours a day working in the van were tough. Luckily, Mark had not yet started his ten-hour night shifts yet, so he could walk Maya and cook… Dog snuggles were present on my birthday. As for the rest, let’s just say that I kind of skipped that this year, as the previous night had a been a bit too much fun. 🙂
December 6, 2019 at 15:24
Travel for me is research, so it’s easy to combine that with writing. Besides writing’s something you can anywhere. You have some good strategies for 2020. Here’s wishing you luck.
December 6, 2019 at 18:27
Thank you for the well-wishes! You are right about being able to write from anywhere… as long as I sit still in the same spot (without too many distractions) long enough! 🙂 Good for you for being able to travel as part of the writing job. Nice!
December 6, 2019 at 16:06
Whether you call it persistence or stubbornness, your ability to focus and keep going is impressive! Now that you know the agents are taking the holiday season off, I hope you and Mark will be able to find time to relax. It sounds like you will have plenty to keep you busy in 2020!
December 6, 2019 at 18:31
Hi Janis! When I put my mind to something and have adequate time for it, I usually achieve it (which doesn’t mean this becomes a success, just that I finish what I intend to do). As far as that relaxation goes… mmmm… not at all. These are the two busiest months of the year. Mark is working a ten-hour night shift, five days a week, for seven weeks. This means I take care of everything in the household, the camper, and Maya, and do my work in the evenings as well. I do think we will take a little break between Christmas and New Year, though. 🙂 I hope you’ve settled in nicely back at home.
December 6, 2019 at 20:12
I totally get this, Liesbet. Travel and my teaching obligations have kept me from writing the last pieces of my book! I’m taking a blogging break for three weeks, between Christmas and mid January (Hugh is taking Sunday Stills the first two Sundays in January). Hopefully our San Diego/Arizona visit will inspire me to write a little. Luckily my spring semester is quieter and I can write more. Keep on working and enjoying your lifestyle!
December 6, 2019 at 20:25
Hi Terri! I know you get it. 🙂 I do hope you get to work on your book as you take your winter trip. It’s tricky and I usually prefer to sight see, photograph, and hike when we are out and about. For me, to focus on my writing (or other projects) requires sitting still in the same (ideally boring) location for a decent amount of time. These episodes happened during house sits in the past, but we have no more plans to do that, because of Maya, who also takes up more time (and fun)! Are you taking the pups with you on your trip? I’m glad to hear that your spring semester is quieter. That will help!
December 7, 2019 at 10:19
You’ve got what I think is the #1 trait: persistence! It will work out! Travel is my passion too! Wishing you every success! Have a wonderful Christmas with Mark, and here’s hoping Santa brings Maya a new bone!
December 7, 2019 at 17:42
Thank you for the encouragement and well wishes! And, how did you know Maya got new bones? It was for her birthday (December 4th), but we will save them for later. Christmas, maybe, as she received a steak and other goodies on her birthday already. 🙂
December 7, 2019 at 15:26
You deserve to focus on whatever writing projects (or not writing projects) you want after all your good progress this year. Submitting to agents is like a whole new art – one I never mastered. I look forward to your memoir whenever it comes out—I also love travel, but I tend to do most of it vicariously.
December 7, 2019 at 17:46
Hello Nicki! Thank you for swinging by and leaving such a kind comment. The problem with doing a “good job” submitting to agents and spending lots of time and energy on that process is that it most than likely never pays off, unlike making good progress writing or promoting. I could see why people don’t want to deal with it. As a new book writer, of course I have to try EVERYTHING before I end up going the self-publishing route. 🙂 I just hope I don’t regret it.
December 8, 2019 at 09:10
You are an amazing woman, Liesbet. Your passion for what you are doing is apparent to all who read and follow you. This is necessary in the writing industry for sure. Niche marketing could be the right fit for you. I believe editors and publishers all skim read letters and beginning pages. There simply isn’t time to do more in this rush-rush industry. But I have true faith in you and your manuscript. You WILL find a publisher. All best to you. Enjoy your holidays!
December 8, 2019 at 19:55
Hi Victoria! Your enthusiasm for my lifestyle and my writing efforts never ceases to prevail! I love it and the fact that you keep believing in my efforts and quests. I do think it is time to start researching niche publishers as soon as I find extra time this month. Happy Holidays to you and yours as well!!!
December 8, 2019 at 13:38
Hi. Wish you luck! I admire your strong will power.
December 8, 2019 at 19:56
Thank you, Sonia, for your well wishes and for reading and commenting.
December 8, 2019 at 17:51
Life is for living and doing what you enjoy most, Liesbet, for as long as you can afford to do it. If that includes getting your book published, great! If it doesn’t, well, you can still enjoy life. Have a wonderful festive season, however you choose to spend it. 🙂 🙂
December 8, 2019 at 19:59
Oh Jo… I don’t think I will ever be able to enjoy life again if I just throw this darn memoir aside. Although, the temptation is there, and as with every feeling of loss, I probably would get over it in the long-run. And, maybe even think it was the wisest decision of my life. But, until then, I will give it one more year. 🙂 No plans for the holidays yet, except for hunting for warmer weather. Happy Holidays to you – in warmer weather. 🙂
December 9, 2019 at 11:36
I am amazed at all that you have accomplished. That you’ve done so with such a busy schedule is even that much more impressive. I agree with Marian (Enjoy December. You deserve a breather, Liesbet) and with Victoria (You WILL find a publisher). Love from Panama
December 9, 2019 at 12:56
Thank you for the love, encouragement, and belief, Lisa. I’m eating it up! Thing is that we rarely sit still in the same place with the sole intention to work, so… the breather will have to wait until 2020. But, it’s all good! Feeling productive makes me happy, since it doesn’t occur often enough.
December 9, 2019 at 18:08
Well you certainly get an A for effort Liesbet. Maybe 2020 will bring better tidings for your submissions. I should think sprucing up those first 20 pages will be a lot more productive than revising the whole book again until such time as someone snatches you up 🙂 x
December 9, 2019 at 18:29
If only effort brings us success, right? I think I’m about done with all this querying. One has to be smart about when to cut one’s losses and move on to plan B, or C. I’m excited to have a look at that memoir again and change a few things. It’s been a while (8 months) since I touched it!
December 10, 2019 at 10:56
You will be amazed as all us writers are when we look back at our writing after left to marinate. <3
December 12, 2019 at 19:14
Cheers to that! I have a few other projects to focus on first, but I’m looking forward to a fresh perspective on this “stew” or “marinate”! 🙂
December 10, 2019 at 16:33
Hooray for you, for cranking out the last of those letters! I know that your question about revising your submission pages was a bit rhetorical, but I’ll answer it anyway: In your next round of queries, do whatever it takes to make your words leap off the page. Every moment of improving your submission pages is time well spent.
I’m not an agent, but I can tell you that if I’m deciding whether to purchase a book, the first few sentences have to grab me hard and suck me in. If they don’t, I’m on to the next one. You only get a few seconds to make an impression.
Submitting to niche publishers is a great idea – niche markets are often a good fit for memoirs. Best of luck! 🙂
December 12, 2019 at 19:23
Hi Diane!
You might not be an agent (if only you were!!), but you are an expert and I totally appreciate and value your input on all things writing. (And fruit wine.) I’ll get to those first 20 pages at some point this month, once I select a few niche publishers to submit to. I hope!! Yes, the words need to jump off the page – easier said than done – and there is ALWAYS room for improvement. Sigh… this job is never done, is it? 🙂
December 13, 2019 at 15:40
I’m afraid not. Even after writing fourteen books, I still learn something new with each one. The good news is that learning is fun! 🙂
December 13, 2019 at 20:30
Yes, learning is fun. And, retaining what you learn is even better! I gotta work on that. 🙂
December 13, 2019 at 20:50
LOL! Yep, retention is always good… 😉
December 11, 2019 at 21:43
Your perseverence deserves to be rewarded. I’d have given up months ago. Keep fighting and believing.
December 12, 2019 at 19:37
Thank you for your encouragement, Roland! I should write more stories, like you are doing, though. I’ve become a lazy writer and have been focusing on other parts of the process.
December 14, 2019 at 11:17
You will persevere and all your hard work will pay off… Also what a cute puppy pic.
December 15, 2019 at 12:49
Thank you for the encouragement, Damyanti. One way or another, that memoir WILL get published. 🙂 I can can “biastly” say that Maya is the cutest dog in the world!
December 28, 2019 at 13:14
Good for you for sending out 150 query letters! That is a huge task. The publishing process certainly is fraught. A friend in my writing group worked on her novel for seven years. She spent the last year researching agents and publishers, and then decided to self-publish. Her book, Crimson Ink, came out in December.
Jude
December 28, 2019 at 20:27
Hi Jude! It is a long and very uncertain process, which is what I struggle with. I don’t mind putting in the work and time, as long as it means success in the end. Not so sure with this process. As a matter of fact the odds are very much against writers attempting to publish traditionally. Like your friend, it has now been a year of unsuccessfully researching (and contacting) agents for me and I sure hope I won’t regret it as that time could have been spent in better ways! Good for your friend to self-publish her book. I most likely will end up following the same path…