As For Today...

I'm pleased to post that today things are much clearer. Has that ever happened to you? You express your thoughts and concerns to others and then, perhaps because you've laid things on the table and can get a full look at them, from every angle, the answer becomes as plain as day? Things just click?

Yesterday afternoon it was impressed upon me that I should proceed with my non-fiction proposal. I will pursue agents who represent narratives, and simply see where it leads.

And then, after having read yesterday's post (scroll down one), a writing buddy pointed me to the site of a well-known imprint. They publish romance and women's fiction (among other things) with an inspirational focus, and writers can submit directly to them. One of the best parts, though I've inadvertantly met nearly every one of their guidelines (because of my style and themes and personal morals), is that they take novels with as little as 55,000 words. This means, my dear friends, that if I take another looksee at Bliss Lake and flesh things out with just 4000+ words more, I can meet their requirement. And submit. And see what happens. And create (I hope) a longer manuscript in the meantime. THIS is what I needed to push me; a specific goal, with an outcome I could shoot for. I love that!

Now from (recent) past experiences, I've learned not to get my hopes up. I'm not going to get ahead of myself, for who knows what my plan holds. I sure don't. But I'm confident, as I've mentioned before, that each step I take gets me closer to my ultimate destination.

And I know I keep coming back to the metaphor of direction and signs and the path before me... but I'm going to step out in faith on that path. I'll see where this last set of directions takes me, and pray for guidance along the way.

How do you make your way?

Query vs. Proposal

So I think most who frequent my blog are familiar with the concept and process of a query. But for first-time visitors or non-writers, a recap: You write a letter briefly expressing the premise of your (usually) fiction book, and ask the agent you're contacting if he/she would A) like to look at your manuscript and B) consider representing you. Sounds simple, right? It's so not simple. You have to encorporate all the most crucial aspects of your story, catch their attention with a hook, stand out from all the hundreds of queries besides yours, time it so they don't read yours after eating a rotten tuna fish sandwich, and do it all in the most professional way. YIKES.

Proposals are an entirely different process and output. They're done with non-fiction books, and a proposal is an all-out presentation for the agent. A proposal includes these steps, in this order: title page, overview, the market, the competition, about the author, publicity, annotated table of contents, and sample material. Plus three or four optional inclusions, if you like. You have to know your non-fic idea backwards and forwards; you have to research whether there's a market for it, if your book fits in but also how it's different and special, and how publicity and marketing would work once it's published. Whew. And then you submit it to your chosen agent, just as you would the query.

And it's crazy, but writing my proposal was so much easier than that query I've been sending out. I'm still happy with my query, don't get me wrong, but that was such a nasty booger to get "right." The proposal, conversely, was much more cut and dry, black and white. I'd have been totally lost if it weren't for that AW thread I referenced in my last post, so I give those involved with it super-kudos.

Still, the ease of my proposal just reiterated the feeling that this is what I'm supposed to be doing. Every section seemed, at first, overwhelming. But I said, "I can do this. I'm a writer and I can handle it." And, by golly, I did! Every part flowed out of me, with a great deal of Guidance, I know. And I am so thankful for that. I feel so sure in what I'm doing with this.

And so I'm going to submit my non-fic proposal sometime today. I'll be looking it over for the last (millionth) time, and will send it off with good wishes and prayer. Think of me!

***

I got a rejection from my novel query yesterday (Sunday) morning at, believe it or not, 5:21 a.m. (Talk about keeping up with your slush pile!) It was very nice, and expressed that though my premise didn't excite them as much as they'd have liked, my writing showed promise. And, in a nutshell, to keep at it. So YAY! for another nice, positive rejection. That makes:

13 rejections, 16 out
and
1 proposal out, as of sometime today

Ho.ly.Wow

What a wild ride the last twenty-four hours have been.

I've mentioned in the not-so-distant past that I'm working on a non-fiction idea and proposal. Though it hasn't been my first "priority," what with querying my novel, I still knew it was something worth pursuing. Especially after this amazing sign.

So last night, after an opportunity presented itself, I felt led to follow the path laid before me and shot an e-mail to an agent. Would you be interested in seeing my proposal? I asked. His response came early this morning, with a request that I "send the proposal and a number of sample chapters." Having let him know in the beginning that I was merely near completion, he agreed to give me until next week. *squee*

I spent the day toiling over my proposal, expecting long, grueling days ahead of me, all-the-while my heart pounding like an energetic jackrabbit. Though I'd already put a lot of work and research into it (referencing this fantastic thread on AW), quite a bit remained. But, man, I worked it out. Each step of the proposal flowed out of me in such an amazing way. Like, in a way that told me this is supposed to be happening right now. It was the plan for me. And tonight my proposal is complete (and fantastic!) at sixteen pages.

The only thing is... after looking into this agent, I've decided to forego submission to him. Why? Because it just doesn't feel right. He's not what I'm after, especially when I want an agent for the duration of my career, for all aspects of my writing. But you know what? That's okay, because if I hadn't had this little blip of communication with him I wouldn't have pounded the proposal out. I wouldn't have dug around for information on him... nor would I have come up with details on an agent who IS perfect for me.

She deals with fiction and non-fiction, a definite bonus. Because I feel my strongest suit right now is this non-fiction book, I plan to send my proposal to her Monday. And, if/when the time comes, if it's a good fit? I'll mention I have a novel ready to go, too. Now of course my thinking she's a perfect fit doesn't mean she'll agree. But my confidence is so strong, so sure and affirmed by my faith in God right now, that I'm going to be okay whatever the outcome. I don't know, I can't explain it sufficiently. But this path I'm on right now is the path I'm to go down. I feel like my writing world is poised to explode, just down there... See it? I do.

I'll keep you posted.

On The Road (to writing) Again

The last few days have been spent stressed and worried about issues at home. Today's a little less hectic and I'm getting back into the groove. I've been searching freelance jobs online and have, along with one last week, submitted two e-mail applications for paid blogging and/or freelance positions. I wait for responses ever-so-patiently.

Still working on my own articles; one is ready to send via snail mail, as soon as my replacement ink cartridge gets here, and another is halfway done, market selected (if I can get their page to come up without error, as it has for a few days now).

I've figured out my plan of action for my next column, as well as gotten official word that this month's is coming out next week. I can't wait to see it! Also thinking about my proposal for a second, unrelated column, which I hope to submit to the appropriate people in the next week.

Haven't looked at the Work In Progress (WIP) for about a week... but still have, what?, two-ish/three weeks in the month? Still time for that.

Whew! I'm digging this. I love throwing myself into the thick of it, trying to get set up with as much work (and success) as possible!