Losing Steam

[Cara Alwill]

Hey guys,

I'm brand new to the writing game and have only freelanced in the past - never been published. I've always wanted to write my book, so I finally decided to give it a go. I picked up "How To Write a Book Proposal" by Michael Larsen, read it cover to cover, and got to work. I recently sent out a ton of queries to agencies (probably close to 100 emails if not more), all based on notable agencies found through this site. I got back at least five or so positive replies from agents asking to see my full proposal and sample chapters, however once they read it I got some not so great feedback.

Most agents all told me they loved my idea, but when translated into the proposal they felt there wasn't enough "edge" to the writing, or I didnt have a strong enough marketing platform, etc. There were varying opinions and I know they are all so subjective.

One agent, however, told me that she liked what I had and saw a lot of promise, however she could not take me on as a client based on a proposal alone. She asked me to finish the novel and come back to her with the finished product. Are the chances good that at that point she'd take me on? I'm just losing so much hope and I'm looking for some support and/or very honest feedback about next steps. Should I even bother writing the book anymore?

Help!

Thanks,
Cara

[Sail Away]

I'm just losing so much hope and I'm looking for some support and/or very honest feedback about next steps. Should I even bother writing the book anymore?

No.

Apparently, you don't believe in your work enough to persevere despite whatever obstacles come your way. If what you've described is enough to plunge you into a tailspin, get out now. Write for pleasure, if you must, but don't try to make a career out of it. This industry will chew you up and spit you out and demand a thank you from you for the privilege.

Just my very honest feedback.

-SA

[Keith .]

You called your book a novel. Fiction is almost never repped on proposal, even from an established writer. Are you saying you submitted sample fiction chaps of an unfinished novel?

You ask if you should even bother writing it. If you don't feel the story eating at you whenever you're away from the keyboard, then you are dreaming of the wrong business. Writing rocks. The anger, disappointment, self-doubt and rejection of submitting your writing sucks. But it's a necessary evil if you want to get published.

I suggest posting a POLISHED sample on the Craft forum. Take what you can from it and join a critique group. Hang out in booksellers and go to a writer's conference. It's easy to become a hermit when you write. My first experience around other writers sharing my issues was wonderful. If your motivation to write is as fragile as it sounds, you should take a hard look before you jump into it. JMO.
km

[Danyelle --]

That's a question only you can answer. As others have said, this business is not for the faint of heart. It looks like you got some good feedback from the agents. You probably have talent, you just have to be willing to do the work. Even if you never are able to get public recognition for it. Being published would be nice, but I write because everything else gets knocked off kilter if I don't.

[Sail Away]

Being published would be nice, but I write because everything else gets knocked off kilter if I don't.

Love that description, Danyelle. Same with me.

-SA

[Danyelle --]

Thanks. If I find myself stalking around and everything seems to be getting under my skin, I have to remember to stop and ask myself that question: "When's the last time I've written?" Then, after I retreat to the computer, my family comes back out of hiding.

[Cara Alwill]

Thanks for the feedback. When it comes to having a thick skin, I'm there. I've worked in the music industry for years, and spent some time as an Executive Assistant to one of the top moguls in the biz.. so I am definitely used to being "roughed up" a bit. No worries there.

I guess my post did seem a bit dramatic, and I should clarify I am very tough so I am completely open to the negative feedback that is sure to come my way. I think what I'm looking for is a realistic view on the industry. I am definitely feeling a bit down about the less than perfect feedback from agents, so that is why my post seems so negative. Also, I must say, I am in no way shape or form looking to make a career out of being a writer. If it happens, it happens, but I love the industry I work in and I'm happy with my full time job. I am just dedicated to this one story and I really feel that I want to tell it through my own words.

This leads me to the next comment. Does this book eat away at me whenever I am away from the keyboard? The answer is YES. That is why I am so whole heartedly committed to this. It's the reason I locked myself away and read and researched enough to go from idea to full proposal. Much of what I read though is mixed, so I had no idea that I needed a full manuscript in order to seek out an agent - in fact, most of the agents did not mention this either. They just requested my proposal and sample chapters. Now that I have the correct information I will continue on my way to completing the manuscript in full.

Thanks for the advice, and I'll definitely take advantage of the craft board..

[Carmel C]

If you're itching to write, then there's no problem with doing as the agent suggested. Write it, edit it, and submit it. Nothing's lost for us writers.
If my ms sits all polished, pretty, and rejected on my laptop till I die, I've still accomplished the telling.
It's out of my head - get it?

[Cathy C]

Are you writing a novel, Cara? Or is it a memoir of the music industry or something else entirely? I can't find where you answered that. What genre if it's a novel?

[Keith .]

Cathy, she just posted a sample in Craft.
km