Hatrack River Writers Workshop: What's holding you back?

This is topic What's holding you back? in forum Open Discussions About Writing at Hatrack River Writers Workshop.

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Posted by Christine (Member # 1646) on :

I just noticed another thread that has been revived in which many of you claim to have novels finished. (Or you've written "the end" and are polishing them.) Since I've not seen a thread with the title, "Yipeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!" I'm going to assume that none of you have sold these novels yet. What's holding you back?

Posted by Kolona (Member # 1438) on :

Actually, the "Yipeeeeeeeeee" thread is called "Hatrack Writers in Print." Let's see: fear, procrastination, doubt, self-deception, lack of motivation, time, talking/dreaming about writing instead of writing....

Posted by Nexus Capacitor (Member # 1694) on :

Well, now that you explained the problem...

STOP IT!!!

(How's that for good advice? I just saved us all years of therapy.)

Posted by Marianne (Member # 1546) on :

How about 6 rejections from agents so far?

It takes a while to send the submissions out, get them returned, find more unsuspecting agents and send it out again...I have only been at it since last December and I am spending a lot of time rewriting my second novel...*sigh* so much to do...

Posted by Nick Vend (Member # 1816) on :

Well, my excuse is that I've only just passed it out to people to read for feedback. My goal is to start approaching agents by the end of March. But by March I'll probably have another excuse. Let's face it, the idea of rejection is just darn scary!

Posted by ccwbass (Member # 1850) on :

Quake Arena "Capture the Flag."

Posted by Christine (Member # 1646) on :

Another question...

A couple of you mentioned approaching agents. I was under the impression that in scifi/fantasy you should approach publishers directly and not approach agents until after you get a contract. In fact, OSC had a lesson on it.

http://www.hatrack.com/writingclass/lessons/1999-01-29.shtml

The lesson is a little dated, have things changed since 99?

Posted by Lord Darkstorm (Member # 1610) on :

I'm not sure about an agent, but as for the original question, I'm not ready yet.

I just started writing stories last year, I have a ways to go before my writing is at a level that is worth printing. I do plan on trying some short stories sometime this year, but the novel will have to wait.

Posted by Gwalchmai (Member # 1807) on :

Well, I've had plenty of rejection letters so I guess it must be lack of talent.

Posted by Kathleen Dalton Woodbury (Member # 59) on :

quote:
The lesson is a little dated, have things changed since 99?

Well, a little. Several of the SF/F publishers now refuse to look at unsolicited or unagented manuscripts.

You can get around the "unsolicited" block by writing a query letter describing the novel. Then, if the editor sends a letter back in the self-addressed, stamped envelope you (of course) provided, saying he or she would like to see some or all of your novel, it isn't "unsolicited" any more.

They also consider a partial--first three chapters and an outline--as a submission and not a query.

If you want up-to-date information on who considers what (unsolicited, unagented, etc), I'd recommend checking the Novel Markets section of

http://www.ralan.com

Posted by Gwalchmai (Member # 1807) on :

Spotting ability on the part of the agents I've approached.

Sorry, accidently posted before completing my sentence.

Posted by ccwbass (Member # 1850) on :

Woah, Kathleen! Thanks for that link!

Posted by srhowen (Member # 462) on :

I think what's holding me back at this point is waiting for responses from the 7 publishers still looking at my work.

Agent or publisher, it takes time. A lot of time. A lot less with an agent, as they can send out a mess of queries and they get answers back very quickly--mush quicker than a writer does. Most publishers my agent quired got back to him same or next day. And if they didn't he followed up right of way, seems agents don't have to wait forever to follow up.

Shawn

Posted by Zixx (Member # 1798) on :

The editing . . .

ugg. Not that I'm a pro at writing, but I'm learning every time I edit. But you can't eat the cookies without making them first, right? Fortunately, I have a good friend who is reading it and helping with a lot of ideas to add some color and flavor for some of the parts that need improving. But after one or two really solid edits, I'm definitely going to start querying agents.

Which leads me into the other part of this thread. For a novel, I would suggest everyone does the standard process, query and get an agent, who will hopefully get it sold to a publisher. A good agent knows which publisher wants what and will submit directly to those people. I haven't queried yet because my fantasy novel is not completely finished. As frustrating as it is, I don't see the need to rush it just to be turned down because I am impatient. Edit, edit, edit, then submit when there very few, if any, errors.

Posted by Hildy9595 (Member # 1489) on :

Complete manuscript is in the hands of an agent now and I'm playing the waiting game. But believe me, if I get a yes, you'll hear the "Yippee!" all the way from good ol' New Jersey without me typing a thing!