So! I’m not sending out letters anymore.
I sent out 8 query letters and have received >5 form rejections, so I paid an agent to take a look at my query package and tell me what I could fix.
They gave me some great feedback, and mostly commented on the writing, not the story. I’m still overwriting and the beginning had too much telling, which I thought was a nice atmosphere for the content of the beginning, but she said it was a red flag and she would immediately pass on any narrative that started off that way. Honestly, fair points.
More to the point, she showed me edit suggestions for the beginning on words and phrases I could take out. While depressing to see, it is also actually good news to learn that I *can* still improve on this. If you’ve been following me for a little bit, you’ll know my endless struggle to get my word count down.
Ultimately, I’ve decided to put querying in hiatus again while I study her notes and edit a new draft (9!) of book 1. But I took a little hiatus from writing all together too because I’m still finding my way through the loneliness and general depression of my late 20s. I’m rediscovering and reinventing myself so I can grow happily in my new social environment. In doing so, I’m discovering more my identity around being a writer—especially as I learn more about where my writing skill stands in the larger world.
But fear not! I finally opened my laptop and started working on the new draft today, and I already feel the thrill of being back and working with this story and improving myself. My hope is that this draft 9 wont take too incredibly long to edit!
Final Notes: Listen to your emotions. They are telling you something. Act wisely in accordance to healing. And drink water! ❤
N. K. Valek: Author 