Comments | 10_ers: Tenners Tell All: Ups and Downs

irenelatham in 10_ers

Tenners Tell All: Ups and Downs

Feb 24, 2010 07:08

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Comments 11

x_think_twice February 24 2010, 13:33:07 UTC

When I found out my YA novel would be published, I was so excited to tell my old friend from college who had been my critique partner for years before we drifted apart after graduation. His response was, "I thought we were writing literature, Holly." Exact quote! I was a teen when we met, and most of my main characters had been teens, so I don't know where the sudden derision came from. It really surprised me and hurt my feelings.

As for the highs...well, it seems like every new milestone is more exciting than the one before. The big ones recently were getting my author copies of the final book, and seeing that my book is already on order at my local library system! When I think that in a month I could walk into the library where I checked out books when I was five and check out my OWN book...it's really overwhelming and amazing.

takumashii February 24 2010, 13:50:49 UTC

I was in the middle of moving from one apartment to another when I found an "attempted delivery" note from FedEx on my door ( ... )

ext_173296 February 24 2010, 15:17:24 UTC

Hi Emily! *waves* Soooo excited for A Love Story! Aww you must have been really mad at those FedEx people! I am glad that that box of lovely ARCs didn't get lost after all. =D

Awesome post!

denisejaden February 24 2010, 17:12:46 UTC

Is it just me, or do all the downs seem to pile on top of each other at once? The first critique I ever received on my writing said something like, "if I picked this up at a B&N, I would put it down by the second paragraph." Ouch. Or how about the time when I got five rejections in one week AND my 18 year old cat died?

My biggest "UP" moment is still when I got my first offer of representation - I have the message saved on my answering machine! Of course I was thrilled to make a sale too, but this first phone call was the first time I really felt validated as a writer.

jencervantes February 24 2010, 18:57:42 UTC

Shouldn't there be some kind of reviewer oath...thou shalt do no harm.

That's awesome. I wish I had saved my messages!!!

jencervantes February 24 2010, 18:56:07 UTC

I love this topic, Irene. Thanks for bringing it up. I think so many unpublished writers see published writers as having "made it" and we all know this isn't exactly true, now is it ( ... )

lindsey_leavitt February 24 2010, 21:22:07 UTC

YOUR DOG CAN READ???

anastasiahopcus February 24 2010, 21:49:36 UTC

I also agree that this is a great topic, one that I've thought about a lot over the last few months. I have to admit that I was one of those writers who thought everything after getting that first deal would be an up. But, echoing what Denise said, the biggest up has still been when I had an official offer of representation from an actual agent. The idea that I finally had found someone in the business that thought I was worth their time and effort made the pain of rejections a little more bearable. When I got my book deal I kind of didn't believe it was really happening. I was so stunned and in shock that I'm not even sure it could qualify as an up. I think the thing that I've felt best about since I got my deal was writing my dedication and acknowledgments. It felt great to be able to thank everyone that helped me so much ( ... )