To quote my husband, “Sometimes you have to pay $20 to reinforce what you already know.” Today was one such day.
I went to a few sessions at the Writers Guild’s workshop thingy today. I attended one on agents, presented by an agent (and no, as I had previously researched, she does not represent chick lit, romance, women’s fiction–damn). Basically, she reinforced a lot of what I had already discovered through my own research. I suppose the most important thing she reinforced for me was that query letters really are a personal thing and that sure, people come up with ‘formulas’ and expound on their virtues and fail-proof abilities…but you know what? if you are professional as well as yourself and prove that you have done your research, you might have a shot at catching their attention, formula or not. Ha!
The most interesting moment, other than doubting the map that had been sent with my registration (and yes, the map was read incorrectly) and entertaining the guy in the funny gold coloured car with my singing along to the radio, oh, and the fact that when I entered the lecture theatre I realised that I was somehow, once again, the person that was not like the others, was…the air of frustration, disappointment and even anger that began to brew when the audience began to realise what a slim chance they have of making it with an agent or a big publisher. For me, this was old news. I know how slim that shot is and I take it very seriously. Therefore, I don’t take it personally that my voice is not automatically the one that everyone wants to hear. For that fact, that what I have to say will interest everyone. That’s life. Suck it up. To combat the odds, I have been preparing for my one shot. I have been practicing, researching, learning, always learning. These folks, as I took it, not so much. I kind of felt bad for them–at the same time, I suppose it makes more room for me??? You could tell the agent was trying so hard not to crush their dreams, but well, it’s hard.
If it wasn’t hard, what would be the challenge and where would be the immense joy when you finally do succeed?
Tags: professional development by Jean
No Comments »
