Friday, February 3, 2012

First Setback

Well, I knew that this day would come sooner or later- that is, receiving a reply from the agent. Of course I hoped and prayed that I would get an acceptance and all my dreams would come true, et cetera, but I do have to make friends with reality from time to time and realize that life isn't ALWAYS that easy.

Today, I received my first rejection letter for ACTIONS AND MOTIVES. And yes, it was sad, yes, I was disappointed, but I have to keep reminding myself that I'm new at this whole "sending my manuscripts" out thing. And this was the FIRST agent I sent this novel to. The chances of getting a yes right from the beginning were so unbelievably slim to begin with, and I have to remember that fact. I also have to remember that there are hundreds of other agents out there, and hopefully one of them will take an interest in my work. I've edited like nobody's business over and over again, to a point where I'm pretty satisfied with the novel itself. So now it's all about the research, compiling a list of potential agents, and sending it out. I've done the hardest things- writing the query letter and the novel itself. It's a waiting game now, a strengthening experience in which I'll probably paper one or many of the walls of my beach shanty "apartment" with rejections. But I'm also going to leave a hole in the middle of those rejections, because I'm hoping, praying, that one day soon I'll see the same words I saw when I applied to Pepperdine University:

"I am pleased to inform you...."

I know I can do it. It's just about the WHEN now. So, thanks to everyone who is following this, everyone who has been giving me support. I'm going to need it and continue loving you for giving it as I go through this process of trying to accomplish my biggest goal and my largest dream. I leave you with a quote I got out of a fortune cookie months and months ago. It's the only one I ever saved and now, I'm glad I did save it.

"YOU WILL OBTAIN YOUR GOAL IF YOU MAINTAIN YOUR COURSE."