Thursday 24 September 2009

Writerly Ups and Downs

On Sunday, we went to The Orchard at Grantchester. It's wonderful there, with a marvellous ambience of bygone years. In fact, I wouldn’t have been surprised to see Rupert Brooke saunter from the little restaurant with a cheese scone and a cuppa.
Oh, and on the way back we dropped into Bury Lane Garden Centre and I found this notebook!





It’s from The Ladybird Archive Collection – isn’t it fab? It’s brought back memories of my early school days! Awh! I’m going to carry it everywhere, so I can jot all kinds of writerly things in it!

And talking of writing; this weeks certainly had its ups and downs.

On the upside, I’m editing a chapter a day at the moment and have now reached halfway! YAY!

But on the downside, I’ve had yet another rejection from Woman’s Weekly – that’s the sixth! Crumbs, they are a hard nut to crack! Or perhaps they don't like my style.

And to add to the downs; I had a rejection from an agent! Yes, okay, I confess, I dabbled. I sent out my first three chapters to one agent and I now have a bad case of burnt fingers. So I will now reflect a while before sending it out again. I need to be fully happy that I’ve done all I can to make it as perfect as it can be - and that could take some time. :-)

19 comments:

Carol said...

Don't be disheartened...I know that my Dad sent stuff out to loads of people before he finally got an agent!!

Yay indeed on the editing!! Your doing brilliantly :-)

C x

Unknown said...

Great news on the editing. Well done you!

As Carol said, don't be disheartened about the agent. They're difficult to get at the best of times and and right now isn't the best of times. Editors and agents seem to be very cautious. It will soon pick up though.

And I just love the notebook!

Jenny Beattie said...

It's so brave to even send something and you know that perseverence is key. Don't be disheartened.

I lurve that notebook. I want...

Lane Mathias said...

Pah to the dastardly rejections. Just keep on trying. It's all we can do.

Well, that and have fabby notebooks like that one. I want.... no NEED one. I lurve Ladybird books.

x

Deborah Carr (Debs) said...

Gorgeous book. I love those books from my childhood.

Commiserations on the rejections, hang in there.

Karen said...

Lovely notebook, I want one!

Your rejection is a badge of honour. It means you've finished a WHOLE NOVEL and been brave enough to send it out there. I'm sure it'll be an acceptance soon :o))

Bluestocking Mum said...

Well done on the editing - I'm doing about the same so it's interesting to see your progress.

As for the rejections - in the present climate remember that it's not necessarily about your work as such - try not to take it personally:-
The women's mag market - there are so many people writing stories at present. It makes me smile, writing is almost like the 'new' cross stitch or card-making!
And agents are governed by publishers and as you know, things have never been tougher for writers.

It won't always be like this. Keep doing what you do best...writing and hang in there.

warm wishes

DAB said...

Don't you be giving up now Ms Allsorts!. Best foot forward. Quick march ;-) TFx

Paula RC said...

Snap! Sorry to hear you are suffering too.

I love your notebook, Amanda.

Best wishes,

J

HelenMWalters said...

Woman's Weekly are hard to break into. I had far more than six rejections from them before I had one accepted.

Fionnuala said...

Hi Mandy,
Two things I have to do today...Get back on blogland and email Mandy (You're next on the To Do List) Meantime dont be too disheartened by the rejection. I'm at exactly the same phase (although I've yet to actualy START submitting) but I'm NEUROTIC about the first chapter at the moment and currently re-writing it. Is it EVER really finished?! Fx

Amanda said...

Carol – thank you – and the fact your dad sent to lots of agents gives me hope! :-)

Thanks Shirley – I think you are right, the timing is terrible - I think I’ll bide my time, before I get it out there again!

It’s mine JJ, you can’t have it – hee hee!! Yes, determination is the key, and I’m hoping I never lose that!

Yes, Lane, at least we can have lubbly note books! And it’s so good to see you back in blogland m’dear!

Thank you Debs! :-)

Thank you Karen – yes I’ll think of it as a badge of honour – but I don’t want any more of them! ;-)
Awh, thanks Bluestocking Mum – I know you are right!

Onwards and upwards, TF – Left, Right, Left, Right ;-)

Yes, I saw on your blog Jarmara that you too had had one – but the wording on yours was rather better than mine, me thinks! We’ll get there Jarmara!

There’s still hope for me yet then, Helen :-)

Hey F – Good to see you back in blogland! I think there’s a quote about ... given a chance a writer will continue to edit forever – or someink, isn't there!? Good luck with sending out your first three chapters!


xxx

Suzanne Ross Jones said...

Hugs, Mandy. But keep going - you will get there.

Adore that book.

XX

Amanda said...

Awh, thanks, Suzanne xx

Deborah Carr (Debs) said...

I've tagged you for an award over at mine.

Amanda said...

Ooh, thanks Debs ... I'll be right over!

Flowerpot said...

chin up Mandy - just send it out again. On all counts!

Flowerpot said...

What a fabulous notebook - just meant for you! And keep plugging with the submissions - it hurts like hell but don't give in!

Amanda said...

Thanks Flowerpot - and yes, never giving up is I HOPE the answer x