A Writer's Notebook, Day Two-Hundred-And-Eleven

I received another rejection from an agent today, which is not fun. It was rather disappointing, honestly, as this was from an agent whom I was very keen to work with, and my upset at that got to me a bit at first, but as I reviewed it, I cam to realize it had a very encouraging quality. Indeed, it noted a lot of positive qualities, and ultimately pegged it as a matter of taste, and the book not being right for the agent. It may be that I am optimistic, but the message seemed to be that it was not a matter of whether the work itself is good, but whether it suits this agent. So, while I am a bit down about this, it really is positive that it seems my work received serious consideration. Besides, I always knew this book would not be the easiest sell.

In addition to that, I've begun work on a new poem, and did work to start revising another piece that I began recently. I am finding that the poetry I am writing of late is taking me in new directions, and I am very glad to find that I am entering very interesting spaces.  In some ways, the things I am writing about now are ideas that I wouldn't have found before this.  I really feel myself seeking to express things in a way that is far deeper than what I'd wanted once.

Now, I mean by this that the work feels like it needs to be doing something important to me.  That is not to say that I want only to write about weighty ideas, or things of significance, but rather that I am feeling an orientation to the work that is different.  At one time, I felt that poems were a way to show off my skill and to make things that were impressive, but now I feel a very different desire, and that is about the genuine connection and communication that I can imbue through the work.  I want to make things that take people to places that are real, to provide experiences that matter through those words.

Anyhow, that is all to say that I am feeling that I am making a lot of progress as a writer and poet, even if that is not yet translating into publishing success.  I am going to get to work tomorrow on a new batch of agent letters.  It is time to keep that going and really forwards.  I believe strongly in the work, and I am certain that I can find the right person to be the advocate I will need in this journey.

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