Hello, Other Manuscript

snowday3Today, still snowy, and I’m officially back to where I was before November 21st. Writing-wise, I mean. You may remember that during the first half of November I took myself off for a writing retreat to work on a manuscript. I’d planned to send the new project to my agent by the end of November. I was in a good mood, hopeful even.

Hah.

That was before my agent flew the coop and became Erstwhile Agent (EA). That was before I fell further into a slump because of my dire financial situation (which hasn’t changed, by the way; I’m just used to it now).

Last week I sent Nice Agent (NA), the one who inherited me from EA, the manuscript I’d worked on with EA. I’d spent a few weeks going over said manuscript. Did I mention that I found out EA had no editorial experience? Did I mention that I’d made plenty of changes to said manuscript per EA’s suggestions?

Enough said. I’m happy that NA is willing to read said manuscript. I’m hoping NA likes my writing enough to want to work with me even if nothing can be done with said manuscript because of the rejections it has already racked up.

It’s been a downer three weeks and now I’m staring at the other manuscript, the one from before bummer-dom. I’m not as motivated to revise it, I suppose because part of me wants to wait on a reply from NA regarding said manuscript.

manuscriptHowever, bunk to that. I’m going to work on the other manuscript anyhow. See here? See all these notes I made on the pages while doing the quick-read last month? I’ve got work to do, agent or no!

Like I said, work-wise I’m back to where I was a month ago. Feels surreal, like I lost a chunk of my life. I’ve bobbed back to the surface to continue on like the trooper I am. But not like nothing’s happened, unfortunately. My energy level is definitely at low ebb.

But, just gotta keep working so that’s what I’m going to do. We’ve all been there, right?

I’ve still got that quote up on my wall, the one from Thomas Jefferson about creating luck through hard work.

0 comments on “Hello, Other Manuscript

  • What a disappointing situation, Lisa. I definitely feel your pain and I admire you for soldiering on. I truly believe that perseverance pays off. Keep writing, and when luck smiles, you’ll be ready.

    Reply
  • Two things. The first one might not make you feel any better, but it might…I know many, many writers, including yours truly, who had a bad first agent experience. It sucks, but all you can do is carry on.

    Secondly, if you’re ever looking for a job in Portland, I worked at the Multnomah Athletic Club downtown as a float (moved from office to office depending on where they needed me) and it was great! Nice people, total flexibility and tons of time to read on the job whenever I covered the front desk. Sometimes I had five hours a week, sometimes I could’ve worked forty…mostly I worked 15-20 per week and turned down work. When you’re the float, you do not get points against you for turning down work, so if you have a writing deadline or you’re in a good place writing when they call and ask you to work, you can say no thanks without fear of losing future work.

    Reply
  • it sounds like you’re doing absolutely the right thing–going back in and working at the manuscript again while you wait. These are dark times, but I can see that you’re determined to succeed. Just look at all those wonderful pages with typing on them! You’re carrying on! And we’re all thinking of you and pulling for you.

    Reply
  • The pictures are such good stories in this entry. You know, you can always write your book about writing your books. Just keep going on your ms.

    Save all your blog entries. Once your ms. are done, you can compile your blogs and voila! I’m telling you, we all love to read about writing … when we’re not writing.

    Onward.

    Reply
  • Thanks, DeAnna. I believe in perseverance, really I do, but come on already! (Doesn’t help that I tend toward impatience.)

    Great idea, Joelle! Never would have thought of that, and the funniest thing is that my mom used to work at the MAC club!

    Thank you, Sandi, I appreciate the support. A manuscript with scribbles all over it is a beautiful thing, isn’t it?

    Hey, oh — a memoir about my hapless writing life! What an idea…Hmm…That would actually be kind of fun…

    Hi Travis. I’m hoping hard work hard work hard work = luck luck luck! I can tell from your blog that you’re a hard worker too — so luck luck luck to you too!

    Reply
  • Hey Lisa,
    Just dropping by to say hey and to cheer you on in your hours of woe. Wish I could share a bottle of excellent wine with you. Ron and I send our love and best wishes, and yes – spring is on the way and perhaps some sunshine as well. Sunshine for your life.
    xxoo
    Stacy

    Reply
  • Hi LK, nice to hear from you. Yep, it’s a thumb-nosing situation at least as far as emotional attachment to the situation. Wish I could say that I didn’t need an agent…sigh…

    Reply

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