But, since hindsight is 20/20, I'm here to offer a bit of perspective.
Am I ever glad for those six-and-a-half years of practice! I needed every 2,372nd day of them. I needed to learn to revise. I needed to write and rewrite and rip apart and start all over again with six books several times each. I needed to feel that ultimate pain of complete rejection when I split with my first agent so that I could understand exactly what I wanted. I needed to find validation that came separately from anyone else's opinion of me. I needed all of this to feel confident* at this point in the journey.
So, don't feel bad if you haven't hit that golden target yet. Your day is coming.
And you'll be prepared.
I might not have done the agent split thing, but I can totally relate to everything else. It just makes this point in our careers even sweeter. Would we have appreciated it as much if our first books had been published? Plus, we're wiser about the publishing process than we were way back then. Because in truth, we were naive. Very naive. :)
ReplyDeleteIn this world of instant gratification, it's easy to forget this. It'd be interesting to know how many people give up in those first few years because they expect it all to happen like that. (I snapped my fingers when I said that. :)
ReplyDeleteVery few authors hit it with the first novel they write, most of us learn, write, struggle, and watch the years go by and then suddenly someone says, "Hey, you're good enough to be published." As Stina above said, "It makes this point in our careers even sweeter."
ReplyDeleteCongrats on getting that contract :)
There are so many things out of our control. So it's good you are focusing on what you can do, which is to write!
ReplyDeleteI needed this. Thanks :)
ReplyDeleteIn five years I have written six novels, got an agent, split with said agent, indie published a trilogy, got another agent, and this week a book deal!
ReplyDeleteUp and down doesn't even begin to cover it, but you're so right, you need that time.
Hi, Amy. I needed to read this. I'll keep plugging away. : )
ReplyDeleteSo, so true. I'm grateful for the long road and all the writing practice, as well.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this post! It reminds me of a painted block I have on my bookshelf which says 'make it happen'. I have to keep trying!
ReplyDeleteLoved this. LOVE. I feel like I'm still striving to find confidence too. But I'm definitely confidentER than **** years ago. ;) It's a hard journey, but it is refining, and making me stronger and better.
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