The Jealousy Food Chain

There seems to be a food chain of jealousy in publishing. Someone just starting a WIP might be irritated when their critique partner announces they just finished a first draft; so-and-so is freaking out about a full request and you only got a partial; if one more person announces they signed with an agent you're going to throw something; the agented writer cringes when another book deal is announced and they're still on sub; the person with a one-book deal wonders why this other person got a two-book deal, with a bigger publishing house; everyone is jealous of the seven figure deal that's buzzing all over Twitter; this author over here really wishes their cover could have been as amazing as so-and-so's cover; the author that has to keep their day job may envy the full-time writer who cranks out more than one book a year and is constantly on tour like a rock star; we see yet another movie or TV series being made out of a fantasy or paranormal and think WHY CAN'T I WRITE A BOOK LIKE THAT?; those authors with movie deals might be jealous over another movie's casting, as they have zero control over this, or glare at the (few) people with theme parks/thrill rides based on their books/comics etc ... that's really as far as my brain can see this going. If you land a theme park set in the world of your imagination, YOU HAVE ARRIVED! ;)

*UPDATE - of course, as KM mentioned in the comments, we are also VERY happy for everyone's good news. It should be more encouraging than discouraging that dreams DO come true!

I think it's probably common to wish you were in a different place, no matter WHERE you are yourself. Unless you're J.K. Rowling, there's always someone ahead of you (and I'll bet even she admires someone else--you never know). For some reason, we get it into our heads that we need to rush rush rush. "But I want to be a NYT Bestseller NOW!" "I want that seven-figure deal NOW!"

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But we can't let that jealousy rob us of our individual experience. Sure, we can look to the future and have hopes and goals, but we can't be so blinded by it we miss what's right in front of us. Everyone ahead of you was right where you are at one point, they just happened to go through it first. I'm learning to look at them as proof that these goals can actually be accomplished, and work my rear off to get there. Channel that desire to be where they are into making it happen, and don't give up and start whining about it all. It's WORK. Hard work. You have to love it.

As I'm waiting and waiting for my first book to make it onto a shelf next year, I've found myself wishing time would just HURRY UP ALREADY so I can realize that dream. But... why would I wish my life to speed up? I have plenty to enjoy at this stage, as well as a lot of work before I'm READY to be any farther along.

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Agents for EVERYONE! And a New Year...

What a year 2012 has been! Finished my MS, queried it, met my critique partners for the first time(!!) and three of us went to an agent conference to pitch our books (eeek!), and ALL THREE of us signed with agents this fall!!

I signed with Marietta Zacker of the Nancy Gallt Literary Agency, Kristi signed with Bree Ogden of D4EO Literary, and KM signed with Emily Keyes of the L. Perkins Literary Agency! And another of my crit partners, Amy L. Sonnichsen, signed with Kate Testerman of KT Literary! I am so so so thankful for these ladies. We are proof that a solid group of critique partners really does make you a stronger writer. We want each other to be the best that we can be, and I hope that your crit group feels the same!

Of course, I'm hoping 2013 will be the year of book deals for everyone haha! Unfortunately, there's not much I can do about that besides live in a constant state of mild panic at the thought that real editors have my MS. A nice problem to have though, I'm aware. I'm very thankful my agent took a chance on me, and I look forward to see what this new year has in store. And if you're querying or soon to be, I hope 2013 will be YOUR YEAR! (I'm looking at you Sarah, Abby and Colene ;)

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

The Joys of Critique Groups, And More Awards!

My critique group is amazing. I love reading their work (a talented lot!), and I'm constantly inspired at our meetings. They spot things that the writer needs to be aware of, and they explain it in a very understanding/encouraging way. It's SO what I need. I LOVE my critique group. I shared with them the first three chapters of my WIP, Still Loving Ghosts, and their reactions knocked me over. They were so excited about this story, I almost got tears in my eyes. They were practically drooling for more, and now I'm freaking out because I'm still unsure about the outcome of SLG in general! I'm only 6 chapters in!! I'm so worried I've worked myself into a corner with this, and that I won't be able to pull off a WOW ending. Am I making any sense? The way I see the story going... I'm VERY confused about how to get there. I know this is just going to take time and WORK WORK WORK, but man, the pressure is ON now. Can I take it as actual pressure though? Motivation is how I need to see it...
Is getting a little frazzled about this natural, or hindering to the process??? Someone please calm me down! lol.

On to other things, WOW, this blogging community... I am just speechless. I've never met more giving, more encouraging, more inspiring people! I've been honored with two more awards, by two lovely ladies whose blogs I thoroughly enjoy, and you should, too!

Thank you to Amber at Reading Addict for the Humane Award! Check out her book reviews!

Now I am supposed to pass these off to bloggers who comment regularly on my posts and generally brighten my day, but I have to do some research first and see who doesn't have it already!

And thank you to Tiana Lei at Spilled Ink for the Superior Scribbler Award!


Now I am supposed to recognize bloggers who go above and beyond, but again, I must research!!

I love all my bloggers! What a great community we are building here (or that was already built but I only just found)!