What if my writing's sh*t and I'm deluding myself?

[belledechocolatefluffybunny]

It could be though couldn't it. I know I've only been waiting a few days for a response from an agent but what if it's dire. Where do I go from here?

pps re your original question I know how you feel I am always asking myself exactly the same

I hope yours is going better ninah.
I've had some more feedback, mine's 'sweet' but it's too british so would be very difficult to market in other countries. Farm animals are out for a while then so I'll have to have a rethink. This is good criticism, I can do something with this.

Have a peanut.

I loved it. I will read it to my friend's 3yo next week if that's OK?

Well done, congrats.

Of course it's OK.
I do have something a lot shorter for a 3 year old if you want me to send that to you though.
Thank you. I hope you are well.

I'm well. I hope you are too. Is your lovely boy a bit more settled now? DD was voted onto the school council which helped her confidence a lot, and she's been getting good feedback on her work too (well, most of it anyway!)

I'd love to have anything you can send me, though I think he'll enjoy having this one read to him anyway. Thank you so much.

I'm delighted to know a real author! I shall be so smug for weeks

I'm not an author, I've not had anything published (yet). More of a writer.

He's not too bad thanks, he was being bullied for a little while. The school put a stop to it in 2 days though which I am very impressed about. He's loving the latin (sigh)

I have a really funny book, it's a little longer though. I'll have to send it tomorrow though as I'm using ds's laptop at the moment and all of my files are on mine. I'm so pleased your DD is getting on well.

Belle. My advice is that you shouldn't rush your work. You seem to have passion and are capable of writing really well, but having decided you'd like to write, you seem to want to get stuff out there.

Write as much as you can but then sit on it for a little while, then go back and review it. I always think writing is a craft. It needs to be worked at and can develop with time, effort and experience.

Good luck x

Thank you. I think I need to learn patience, it's hard when you are use to rushing around all the time though.

I am envious of your son; Latin is lovely. I did Latin night classes when I was in my late teens because I was so annoyed that both my brothers were taught it, and I wasn't - simply because they were boys.

Can you only be an author if you are pubished? Pshaw, I say, and fie, a quibble.

Actually, the dictionary doesn't say you have to be published so YOU ARE AN AUTHOR!!!!!!!!!

How cool is that?

I suppose I've published something on here now

He loves it and is really good. It's crap that they wouldn't let you learn it because you are a girl! That's so mean! Grr!

Olden days

Belle, I printed your story out, but we had a bit of drama here today, with DD waking up from her nap with fever (her first ever, not counting one at 3 wo) and then DS was agonizing over his homework for ages (because supposedly it was too easy and he couldn't be bothered to do it ) so in the end I didn't give it to him.

Will do tomorrow.

Oh, how times have changed Jux. One day someone will write a book about how societies views of women have changed.

It's OK winny I hope DD is on the mend soon, it's horrible when they are ill. Take your time, someone's mentioned a void in the market where all of the history books have vanished to, there appears to be an opening for some new ones

Belle- I have done a couple of online courses with Gotham Writers Institute- a NY based company. I found them really invaluable in helping me avoid the pitfalls that new writers often make and understand the basics of the craft.

The courses arent that cheap but they're a good combination of peer review and actual teaching.

I'll look into them. I have 0 spare cash though.
Thank you.

I had a rejection this morning, they opened the email at 10:59 and sent the email at 10:59. I doubt they had time to read it. I hope they are not all like these. I've just looked into agents at the moment.

they gave that careful consideration then! at least you know it was nothing to do with your work
do you have any more 'out there' you are waiting to hear about?

I have more, they are just agents though. I have an idea for another book or three so I'll just keep going. It's annoying when you spend time writing and they clearly don't read it before they slush you though. Grr!

How's your going?

ah just the one rejection here still, is early days! Taking litchick's advice and subbing in batches ... Have made a start on something else, am trying to forget about last one, cos hearing back can take weeks(and in a way ignorance is bliss lol ... I think of it like the lottery, you have to be in it to win it, but you don't really expect to!) Meanwhile my car has failed MOT so sod the pricey packages, any editorial feedback has to be done by my long suffering friend for a pint ... I think just keep writing belle, and keep sending it. I've had really useful advice and feedback by posting stuff on here in the past, too - actually the 'ouch' comments in particular. I know one thing, I am getting better.
keep your chin up, even though I'm sure we'll share a few more virtual pringles over the coming months

I've had three replies in the past 2 days, 2 of them with no feedback at all, 1 just saying it's not international enough. I've been thinking of a new book with ds, it feels good so I'll make a start on it tomorrow.

Sorry about your car, that's a bit crap. It's not the easiest of things to get into (hands over some pringles and a glass of wine). Should have stuck with medicine.

aha just had number 2! (rejection that is)
belle did you used to be a medic then? ironically bc (before children) I used to be in publishing. Not the novels sort though.

Thanks for the Petal story; it's gorgeous. Have replied via new message thingy-wotsit.

I was training to be a radiographer. My course leader was really, really nasty though and it made the illness that I have alot worse with all of the stress she caused. I officially left on Monday, I should have been paid a bursary installment today but it's not in my account.

I'm pleased you like it Jux, I hope Little Tiger Press like it aswell, I'm broke now

I wondered what had happened, but was too wrapped up in my own crap to ask (and didn't want to pry). Shame on her.

What a nightmare. Put her in a book (on a broomstick). I'm not kidding.

I think she'll have a special book, just for her
I'm quote pleased I've one (apart from the cash flow problem). She spent 2 years telling me I was a 'nightmare/weak student/can't have any more time off sick or she'd throw me off.' Now I'm writing books which I really love. My life is just too precious to put up with shit off her.

How are you Jux?