Happy first Birthday to my writing career.

It was one year ago that I decided to write a book, and what a year it has been. I’ve written the book, revised the book, cut out characters and re-wrote the book. Then I built a website, set up a face book page and even started a twitter account. I thought I was done but boy was I wrong. After taking workshops, editing courses and marketing classes I found out I was just beginning.

I submitted my story to four publishers and they all rejected it, but gracefully. They gave suggestions and wished me luck. No form letter yet, which I saw as a promising thing.

I worked on their suggestions and then submitted it back to a publisher that asked for a revision. Today I found the e-mail from her waiting for me. I was so excited. I did everything she asked and thought my story was exactly what she was looking for. I couldn’t stop smiling while I sat there staring at it, not sure if I wanted to open it. But my curiosity got the best of me and I hit the enter button only to have my smile fade. The first sentence said it all. I finished reviewing your manuscript unfortunately…that’s all I needed to read. Another rejection letter but it was a nice one. She made suggestions, which were good ones, just not what I wanted to hear.

After reading what she wrote I took a deep breath and remembered what one of my critique partners said. She rejected my story, not me, and it was just one publisher. My story has a home out there. I just have to find it.

So I will go through my story one more time, take a closer look at the chapters she requested changes to, and send it off for a professional review before I send it out again.

I’m still a newbie in the writing world and have made some major strides this year. I have one manuscript complete, a second one half way done and two other short contemporary’s outlined with the first chapter complete in both. I participated in NaNo and won, I wrote 56000 words in 30 days. That was a busy month and I proved to myself that this was not just a phase.

I love writing and every rejection letter makes me sad, but just for a minute. Then I use it as a learning tool to make my writing stronger. I am determined to get a contract this year and that means many more long nights of writing. So keep the coffee hot and my cup full, I will need it.

Happy first Birthday to me, the first of many to come.