A Writer's Notebook, Day One-Hundred-Eighteen
My intention today had been to read through the notes from last night and then to begin work on the new draft. While I did read the notes and began some preliminary thought on how I will continue the work towards the final version, I didn't get to work as I had other news that interrupted me. Specifically, I heard back from the agent who had requested my manuscript. As expected, she did not offer me representation, but her message was very positive and struck a largely apologetic tone, which may be the norm, though it does seem sincere.
Specifically, she mentioned that the writing was impressive and superior to most of what she is used to encountering in manuscripts she receives, she stated that the protagonist was compelling, and that she "loved" the sense of atmosphere that the book created. These are wonderful things to hear, and I do feel bolstered knowing that the quality of the work shines through. As I have mentioned, there are times when I do feel a sense of self-doubt and having a professional point out that the work is of that quality does question that.
I did worry about whether the main character worked well. It is a hard balance, since much of the book is centered so internally, but it seems that the book is working on that level. In addition, much is reliant upon atmospherics in the book, especially since that is an element that can easily be translated into experience by a reader in a way that goes beyond the page(consider how easy it is to see even a familiar room as creepy on a dark night when reading a good horror story). In short, those aspects of the book that she mentioned working are things I feel have a central role to the work, and I am very glad to hear that.
What she mentioned that didn't work well for her was the lack of a more traditional narrative and conflict. In essence, the central story revolves around the finishing of the book, and the structure of that story has to be different by the nature of what the book attempts to do. However, I can see the value of her comments here, and am not opposed to the notion that the work may need to be strengthened through the addition of those elements.
I am very much encouraged in knowing that the work is at a level of quality that makes it stand out for the right reasons. It is frustrating that having a book of such quality isn't a sufficient criteria for it to be accepted, but I know that this rejection is, at least in part, an acknowledgement that this book may require special care and attention. In part, that is something I was already aware of, but I do have to wonder who the right agent is for this book. It is difficult to locate agents with that form of experience and interest, but I am hopeful about it.
Of course, it may be that other work needs to come first, and it will lead to the publication of W/R, and I recognize the possibility that I could need to do more work to make the book work. I am not arrogant enough to think that it can't be improved, though I do feel strongly about it as it stands. The fact is that I can never read it the way another person can, so I must rely upon the opinions of others, especially those with expertise and professional insight, for their perspective on these matters. I would be foolish not to consider what is offered to me in a positive spirit of honest and well-intended support.
That may well mean getting my hands dirty again on the book, but I am not against that idea. It may be that I am wrong, and she is merely expressing a personal preference, but I suspect she would be able to distinguish that and will let me know if I ask about that issue. In the end, I am seeing this as an opportunity to find what I need to do to move things forward in the direction of finding an agent and getting the book into the world. It seems to me that I have a potential advocate for that, and I am going to listen to what they have to say, even if it is not always what I wish to hear. I may not always agree with what is said in the end, but it deserves sincere consideration.
It is a bit ironic to me, but I can't help but think that if I were writing something that was less ambitious, it would be easier to find an agent and a publisher. The writing itself is of a certain quality, and I am not likely to lose that in work on another piece, but it is still connected in that work to the overall structure of the novel. Their is a way in which I couldn't have written a more traditional book to that same level of quality, as I was propelled to do so by the very nature of the work and what it demanded of me. As such, I find it very frustrating and paradoxical to be in the situation where the quality of the work is recognized but the nature of the work itself creates obstacles for publication. That is to say, it seems the very things that I feel make the book so good in terms of the recognized attributes are partly a function of those things that motivate the rejection of the work. That is not a condemnation of the reader, or a denial of the perspective, but a personal observation. In essence, I feel that I couldn't have written so well if it were not that book.
So, I have a lot to process about this still. I know that I am at a point where I need to take action and move forwards in terms of this book. That action may be to send out more queries, or it may be to wait and do some more editing, perhaps even with some help from a professional, if I can get advice on that. I need to focus the next few days on my rewrites, so tonight I am going to attempt to shift focus and put this out of mind until after Sunday, which works out well since my meeting is on Monday morning.
Specifically, she mentioned that the writing was impressive and superior to most of what she is used to encountering in manuscripts she receives, she stated that the protagonist was compelling, and that she "loved" the sense of atmosphere that the book created. These are wonderful things to hear, and I do feel bolstered knowing that the quality of the work shines through. As I have mentioned, there are times when I do feel a sense of self-doubt and having a professional point out that the work is of that quality does question that.
I did worry about whether the main character worked well. It is a hard balance, since much of the book is centered so internally, but it seems that the book is working on that level. In addition, much is reliant upon atmospherics in the book, especially since that is an element that can easily be translated into experience by a reader in a way that goes beyond the page(consider how easy it is to see even a familiar room as creepy on a dark night when reading a good horror story). In short, those aspects of the book that she mentioned working are things I feel have a central role to the work, and I am very glad to hear that.
What she mentioned that didn't work well for her was the lack of a more traditional narrative and conflict. In essence, the central story revolves around the finishing of the book, and the structure of that story has to be different by the nature of what the book attempts to do. However, I can see the value of her comments here, and am not opposed to the notion that the work may need to be strengthened through the addition of those elements.
I am very much encouraged in knowing that the work is at a level of quality that makes it stand out for the right reasons. It is frustrating that having a book of such quality isn't a sufficient criteria for it to be accepted, but I know that this rejection is, at least in part, an acknowledgement that this book may require special care and attention. In part, that is something I was already aware of, but I do have to wonder who the right agent is for this book. It is difficult to locate agents with that form of experience and interest, but I am hopeful about it.
Of course, it may be that other work needs to come first, and it will lead to the publication of W/R, and I recognize the possibility that I could need to do more work to make the book work. I am not arrogant enough to think that it can't be improved, though I do feel strongly about it as it stands. The fact is that I can never read it the way another person can, so I must rely upon the opinions of others, especially those with expertise and professional insight, for their perspective on these matters. I would be foolish not to consider what is offered to me in a positive spirit of honest and well-intended support.
That may well mean getting my hands dirty again on the book, but I am not against that idea. It may be that I am wrong, and she is merely expressing a personal preference, but I suspect she would be able to distinguish that and will let me know if I ask about that issue. In the end, I am seeing this as an opportunity to find what I need to do to move things forward in the direction of finding an agent and getting the book into the world. It seems to me that I have a potential advocate for that, and I am going to listen to what they have to say, even if it is not always what I wish to hear. I may not always agree with what is said in the end, but it deserves sincere consideration.
It is a bit ironic to me, but I can't help but think that if I were writing something that was less ambitious, it would be easier to find an agent and a publisher. The writing itself is of a certain quality, and I am not likely to lose that in work on another piece, but it is still connected in that work to the overall structure of the novel. Their is a way in which I couldn't have written a more traditional book to that same level of quality, as I was propelled to do so by the very nature of the work and what it demanded of me. As such, I find it very frustrating and paradoxical to be in the situation where the quality of the work is recognized but the nature of the work itself creates obstacles for publication. That is to say, it seems the very things that I feel make the book so good in terms of the recognized attributes are partly a function of those things that motivate the rejection of the work. That is not a condemnation of the reader, or a denial of the perspective, but a personal observation. In essence, I feel that I couldn't have written so well if it were not that book.
So, I have a lot to process about this still. I know that I am at a point where I need to take action and move forwards in terms of this book. That action may be to send out more queries, or it may be to wait and do some more editing, perhaps even with some help from a professional, if I can get advice on that. I need to focus the next few days on my rewrites, so tonight I am going to attempt to shift focus and put this out of mind until after Sunday, which works out well since my meeting is on Monday morning.
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