Monday, June 09, 2008

If you were me.

So what do you do when you finish your book and you are busily sending out queries?

Well, if you are a normal person I suppose you have a bit of patience and wait and see if someone wants to buy it.

But no one's ever accused me of being normal.

So I finished my second book.

To be fair, it's more of a collection of essays (that I didn't have to start from scratch and I've been working on for a long time). Sort of like...well, what I write on this blog, I guess. They are all focused on my life between the time I had Boy and Girl Child and when I met Jason.

So yeah, there's a whole lot of Ohnohedidn't-ery.

I like it. I'm happy with it. With the first book I was at a point that I hated it and wanted it dead. I'm not at that point with this one yet, so that feels good.

It feels good!

I like being done with stuff. It makes me feel accomplished or some crap.

But it also feels scary. And pukey. I found this agency that I felt like would be perfect. The people seemed quirky, like me. Quirky in a good way, you know? Not psycho quirky. So I wrote a query and attached the first three chapters and emailed it to them (that's what they want...every agent is different).

And then I went to the bathroom and puked my guts out.

It's certainly not the end of the world if they don't like me. Hell, I don't like myself most of the time.

But I like this book.

I want other people to like it too.

So it's pretty freaking scary and pukey.

32 comments:

Heather {Desperately Seeking Sanity} said...

I bet it's great.... you're alot further along than I am... two books started, none finished. I wouldn't even know how to find an agent...

Cricky said...

I've started 8 books since 2000. I've completed zero.


Your writing is FANTASTIC. You have the ability to captivate your audience and make them feel as though you're sharing this story with them over coffee.

You will get a book deal. It might not be as soon as you'd like, but you will get it. You've got that star factor.

Anonymous said...

Good luck! I hope they love it & publish it... then we can all go out buy it.

frannie said...

oh, good luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am so excited that even I feel a little pukey!

BandK said...

I saw this from a link from another blog, and I had to repost it here. I, too, struggle with feelings of inadequacy and inferiority, and putting something you created on the line for others to criticize, is downright scary! So feeling a little pukey, is normal!

But anyway, here's a snippet from the link from the blog I was talking about. LOVE this:

"Have the words and opinions of other people caused you to water down your dreams? One of the most important things you can learn is that other people don’t set the limits for your life. Other people don’t have to believe in you in order for your dreams to come to pass. There will always be critics and naysayers. The negative voices come at everyone. But other people don’t determine your destiny, you do."

Then there was a bunch of religious stuff and I didn't know if you'd appreciate that, so I didn't post it. If you want it, let me know and I'll send you the rest! :-)

Anonymous said...

Word!

And good for you, the first step is always the hardest!

KrustyLynn said...

YAY!! Maybe they will publish it and Everyone who loves you can show you that they do by buying your book!!

But even if they don't...I would buy a copy that you xerox'd. :)

CPA Mom said...

SO, SO PROUD OF YOU!!!!!! Man, I'd be pukey too.

And I still have dibs on reading them first. You KNOW I'll whore them out for you.

xoxo

Devon said...

i would LOVE to read your book! i'm sure its GREAT! your blog is always a hoot and i never miss a day in reading it!

Anonymous said...

Oh, I can't wait to buy your books off the best seller shelf at Barnes & Noble!

Wenderina said...

Carrie Bradshaw has nothing on you...except that whole NYC thing...

Can't wait to be able to buy your bookS.

Mikey said...

You're on your way! You will make it, you will have BOOKS (plural) published and then I wonder... what will you do when you have it all? When you have accomplished your goals? Cause it's happening. You're making it happen :)

Dawn~a~Bon said...

I hope it's published soon, because I absolutely cannot WAIT to read it!!!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Congrats!!! That is a huge accomplishment. And I totally get the "pukey" thing. I had a singing solo at church yesterday.... always feel like I'm going to pass out.

Rachel (Crazy-Is) said...

I bet that it is awesome!! I am so glad that you submitted it!!!

Anonymous said...

I've been a little 'pukey' myself. But that's mainly to do with cleaning up dog crap and having no control over my gag reflex.

I can't imagine they won't like your writing, Chick. And if they don't? They are BLIND, I tell you.

fingers, legs, toes, eyes and paws crossed for you!!

Angie said...

I'm looking forward to your book . . no matter WHO publishes it.

PinkCat said...

You will be on the top sellers list and I can't wait to read it. Good luck!!

Anonymous said...

What a HUGE accomplishment to finish a second one. I have about four book outlines but I keep finding excuses not to actually write them. Any good motivating tips? Actually, I probably should quit blogging and dedicate that time to writing the books instead...

Kiki said...

Chick... you are a funny dame! I know that feeling of being excited and nervous and pukey... it sucks but it's great at the same time. That tells you that you are alive and you are doing something that actually means something to you and to other people. You are a rock star and you are going to go far.

Kimberly Vanderhorst said...

A book you actually like...wow, I can't even imagine that at this point. I can understand the pukey feeling all the same...you really put yourself on the line, trying to get a book sold. I know you're going to succeed though...and really, I'm not the arrogant type. But I do know.

EE said...

You are totally quirky, and I totally love it!! Good luck!!

Alpha Dude said...

I like it already.

Please let me know when and where I can get a copy.

Blessings.

Anonymous said...

Whoo hoo, good for you--pukey or not, that's a great step. Can't wait to be able to pick up a copy in the bookstore!

Anonymous said...

I like you.
You will get a book deal.
If not this one, then another one.
Even if, by some chance, you don't?
I'll still like you.
And I'll still read you.
So?
If you want, just send me your book and I'll read you and review it like you're already a total bigshot and we can convince them together!
;-)

Jason, as himself said...

Wow. That's fantastic. Good luck!

Thanks for stopping by and commenting today!

Suzy said...

I'm hoping you get your book deal and then come on over and I'll give you a shoe contest too!!

Amy W said...

If I were a publisher, I would be all over it...

NEVER AGAIN said...

As soon as you are published, please let me know so I can go get a copy, I love your writing. You have my email on gmail. Thanks, Lisa

monsters' momma said...

someone publish chick's book!! you hear me!? i wanna read the darn thing.
*good luck*

Tarasview said...

I'm sure they'll love it. Otherwise they are stupid.

Emma in Canada said...

Why don't you send it to that blogger chick from Harper Collins? I bet she's take a look at it.