Monday, March 15, 2010

Cuckoo Cuckoo

Just wanted to let you all know that I'm still having a blast (read: dreading) querying. While no offers for representation yet, I still have a couple of partials and fulls out, and I've had some excellent agent advice (read: they passed, but said nice things).

With all of that, I've spent the last week diving into BEAUTY SECRETS changing the plot, characterization, and even writing style. But get this, it's better than before! (Duh, of course it is. Why would I spend 50 hours rewriting crap?)

I set a personal goal to obtain an agent (yes, obtain. Preferably through normal, respectful means. Read: harassment is optional) by my birthday, which BTW is April 27th. Now, I made that goal in December when fresh with optimism (read: denial) I felt it was totally realistic. Now? Well, it might not be realistic, but I don't care. It's still my goal. (I won't even tell you about my world peace one.)

So that's what I'm up to. Lala Land has never been more inviting. Stop on by if you get a chance. The positivity has never been more appealing.

6 comments:

Shannon O'Donnell said...

To quote Pretty Woman, "Ya gotta have a goal". My fingers are crossed for you, Steph. :-)

Stephanie Damore said...

I love that movie and the end line:

"Welcome to Hollywood! What's your dream? Everybody comes here; this is Hollywood, land of dreams. Some dreams come true, some don't; but keep on dreamin' - this is Hollywood. Always time to dream, so keep on dreamin'."

Stephanie said...

Pretty Woman is one of my favs!!

I think it's essential to have goals and dreams, but you need to stay in the real world too. Setting a time line for getting an agent is setting yourself up for heartbreak. How will you feel if you birthday gets here and you haven't achieved your goal??? I wish you nothing but the best, and maybe you'll be way luckier than me, but I queried my debut, twice, at least 75 agents each time. I queried my second to probably the same amount. This took place over 3 years......and I am still agent-less. If there's one thing I've learned about this business, its that it's way harder than you ever think.

Dreams are good and you should never give up on your dream, but be careful of putting unrealistic time lines on your dreams.

Good luck!! :)

Stephanie Damore said...

Thanks for the perspective, Stephanie. I won't be heartbroken if my deadline comes to pass. So much of landing an agent is out of my hands--I accept that, but that doesn't mean I can't be optimistic :)

dolorah said...

Hey, it could happen! Especially with your optimism and enthusiasm.

BTW; I sleep write so well I expect the see the finished copy sitting neatly in my works program the next morning.

What? The computer's not even on? Grrrrrh.

.........dhole

Stephanie Damore said...

Thanks, Donna.

Re: Sleep writing--If only I could tap into that crazy creative energy when I'm awake. My writing is always more entertaining in my dreams.