Writing can be a road to enlightenment. What we learn is that acceptance is not what we imagined it to be. True acceptance involves being fine with rejection. Krishnamurti once revealed his secret: "I don't mind what happens."
GoodReads also has a whole space for finding beta readers and critique partners. I found both of my CPs that way! Thanks for this video - support is so important!
Not to sound negative, but I've not come to expect positive responses when I say I'm a writer to friends and family. I realize that I don't go crazy when someone says they're an accountant or lawyer. If someone actually is excited, it's a cherry on top.
@@BookEndsLiterary Thank you. I didn't mean to sound down, just realistic. It's not negative, it's just reality. I have had people be supportive and I have a great writers group that gets it. I have recently started a picture book and my husband and kids are more into that because they like the artwork, which has immediate understanding, looking at the drawings. I enjoy your and Jessica's Vlog. :)
Love this so much! Thank you so much for this video. My debut comes out in 3 months and while some people have been incredibly supportive, others - including those I thought would understand - have made me feel invisible and insignificant. I have had my feelings hurt, but at the end of the day it's MY dream and I am THRILLED and I am just trying to focus on the people who DO get it. :)
Jealousy is the envy of many. This video helped much as I thought I was the only one being unsupported for filling a page with the voices of characters. Congrads on your published book, James.
Love this and definitely needed this! Finished the first draft of my first book and am a few chapters into the second. In a way the lockdowns and world situation have allowed me to focus on this venture without too much dismissal lol. Thanks for all the help and insight
I'm right where you are! While lockdown has provided some distraction-free writing time, it has also fostered isolation. Good to hear ways to reach out.
@@authorrobinshackleton296 i am glad to hear the writing is going well, and i also checked out your youtube videos, keep up the great work! I am sorry to hear about the isolation, make sure to keep in contact with any family or friends you can! Is the outbreak book you wrote the one you are looking to publish in the Christian book market?
Interestingly, this is a very similar discussion that my fellow Etsy/small business sellers have. People don't see it as legitimate employment until you start making a certain dollar amount or whatever arbitrary thing they see as a signal of success.
I'm getting ready to go to work in an Alaskan Gold mine during summer college break in the mid '80's my uncle in Fairbanks asks me what I'm going to college for? I played the Hokey Pokey with him, saying I was an English major and probably teach High School English. He said "Is that truly what you want to do?" I replied, "No". He said "what do you want to be?" I said "I want to be a writer, like a Novelist." He raised his voice and said, "THEN TELL PEOPLE YOU ARE A WRITER!" then he paused, "F#@$& 'em" - being drilled in a practical environment all my life, people that read a lot (even) would say, "That's great, but what REAL JOB are you really going to do?"...
Thanks so much for more great content! I just made a video of my own on this topic, and it made me realize Twitter was a big part of how I've connected with the writing community. I'll take your advice to seek out writer's groups in my area and online, which is a new avenue for me.
I got very little support from the people I thought would support me. I’ve always supported and encouraged others. It hurt, but it made me more determined to be successful. I take pride in the fact that I’m doing ok on my own. I can’t control others behavior but I can control how I react to them.
Thanks for great advice! Someone close to me, who shall remain nameless, once said to me “Why do you want to write a book? Are you trying to blow smoke up your own ass?” He’s now one of my biggest supporters, but our relationship was touch and go for a while 🤓
Jessica, I have a question. I submitted a book proposal to you a little over a year ago. You didn't take me on as a client, but you gave me a wonderful response and encouraged me to keep submitting my book to other agents. I self-published it through KDP but will unpublish it very soon. The reasons I self-published was one, I wanted my mother who is in her mid-80's to see in print. The other reason was that when I was writing the book I kept seeing a certain actor as one character in the book and I wanted to send him a copy which I did. Now, I plan to start submitting the book again. Will unpublishing help or hurt my chances in getting an agent?
It's a really hard thing to write and the $ return and "fame" is not like the general public expects. We are a glamour driven society. I've had some bad responses to being a writer, but I believe and know my writing is a notch above.
It is hard out there for a writer. The uncertainty bites. I explained the process of querying and publication to my mom and now, she is advising me to get a "real" job.
I have been writing for years but I never took any writing classes or studied the publishing side. I also never actually tried to get published. I write fantasy fiction and science fiction. I have actually written over thirty full length novels.(95,000- 120,000 words) I have gone back and edited them and re edited them a few times making improvements to polish them. I have even printed a few off for friends and family to read. They are supportive but there are no other writers locally that write in these genres. Now I am working on query letters but I am not really sure who to send them to. Any suggestions?
First of all, congratulations, that’s an enormous accomplishment! Book ends accepts queries through query manager (a website), you can find a number of agents who represent your genre through there. It’s also a good idea to google the agents of the authors you like to read. I’ve been researching this same thing myself, good luck. 👍
@@jimmychurch9588 thank you. I jist finished another novel and I am going through doing a hard edit. I appreciate the advice. I have written 23 novels and hope to get them published one day. One step at a time. Hope you all have a wonderful day.
Ah, hitting a nerve, eh! 'Most people' do nothing at all. Timid, unoriginal, and comfortable with what has already happened. Add to that the ugly historical nonsense of advertising driven consumerism, where the pitch is to the ignorant buyer, you have entire populations that have 'opinions' on everything consumer. But, when a PRODUCER is talking to a consumer, and that PRODUCER is in process to the market, there is not only that cocky blank stare, there is that calloused indifference that can be painful. It is understandable: every venue has ad copies, the phone, the 'net, the roadsides, the public toilets, even tee shirts and athletic shoes are 'branded,' for the branded like-minded cattle they are meant for! Congratulations on having the desire to offer your agency services, certain that you can find and place books that other agencies stupidly dismiss or never consider. And congrats on your Book, Mr. McGowan. It is fun to be published, for vanity and occasionally, money. But the enthusiastic feedback from fans and readers is the REAL offset to all that indifference in the seed stage.
Inked Voices is a fantastic virtual writing community, too. 💜
Oh, and not forgetting. You are as truthful and wonderful as ever, Jessica. Thanks for the advice.
Writing can be a road to enlightenment. What we learn is that acceptance is not what we imagined it to be. True acceptance involves being fine with rejection. Krishnamurti once revealed his secret: "I don't mind what happens."
GoodReads also has a whole space for finding beta readers and critique partners. I found both of my CPs that way!
Thanks for this video - support is so important!
Not to sound negative, but I've not come to expect positive responses when I say I'm a writer to friends and family. I realize that I don't go crazy when someone says they're an accountant or lawyer. If someone actually is excited, it's a cherry on top.
We're sorry, Ruth. We're excited!
@@BookEndsLiterary Thank you. I didn't mean to sound down, just realistic. It's not negative, it's just reality. I have had people be supportive and I have a great writers group that gets it. I have recently started a picture book and my husband and kids are more into that because they like the artwork, which has immediate understanding, looking at the drawings. I enjoy your and Jessica's Vlog. :)
Loved that dance/cheer. Also, I agree that some people are assholes; use their attitude as fuel for the fire of your resolve.
Love this so much! Thank you so much for this video. My debut comes out in 3 months and while some people have been incredibly supportive, others - including those I thought would understand - have made me feel invisible and insignificant. I have had my feelings hurt, but at the end of the day it's MY dream and I am THRILLED and I am just trying to focus on the people who DO get it. :)
That’s amazing! I’m about to begin the long road of query’s for my first novel. Congratulations on your success!
Jealousy is the envy of many. This video helped much as I thought I was the only one being unsupported for filling a page with the voices of characters. Congrads on your published book, James.
Thank you, Clint. And best of luck with yours!
Love this and definitely needed this! Finished the first draft of my first book and am a few chapters into the second. In a way the lockdowns and world situation have allowed me to focus on this venture without too much dismissal lol. Thanks for all the help and insight
I'm right where you are! While lockdown has provided some distraction-free writing time, it has also fostered isolation. Good to hear ways to reach out.
@@authorrobinshackleton296 i am glad to hear the writing is going well, and i also checked out your youtube videos, keep up the great work! I am sorry to hear about the isolation, make sure to keep in contact with any family or friends you can! Is the outbreak book you wrote the one you are looking to publish in the Christian book market?
Interestingly, this is a very similar discussion that my fellow Etsy/small business sellers have. People don't see it as legitimate employment until you start making a certain dollar amount or whatever arbitrary thing they see as a signal of success.
I enjoy your UA-cam channel and it's so helpful too. Thank you!
I'm getting ready to go to work in an Alaskan Gold mine during summer college break in the mid '80's my uncle in Fairbanks asks me what I'm going to college for? I played the Hokey Pokey with him, saying I was an English major and probably teach High School English. He said "Is that truly what you want to do?" I replied, "No". He said "what do you want to be?" I said "I want to be a writer, like a Novelist." He raised his voice and said, "THEN TELL PEOPLE YOU ARE A WRITER!" then he paused, "F#@$& 'em" - being drilled in a practical environment all my life, people that read a lot (even) would say, "That's great, but what REAL JOB are you really going to do?"...
Gold miner! That sounds like there is an interesting story there.
Thanks so much for more great content! I just made a video of my own on this topic, and it made me realize Twitter was a big part of how I've connected with the writing community. I'll take your advice to seek out writer's groups in my area and online, which is a new avenue for me.
I got very little support from the people I thought would support me. I’ve always supported and encouraged others. It hurt, but it made me more determined to be successful. I take pride in the fact that I’m doing ok on my own.
I can’t control others behavior but I can control how I react to them.
Thanks for great advice! Someone close to me, who shall remain nameless, once said to me “Why do you want to write a book? Are you trying to blow smoke up your own ass?” He’s now one of my biggest supporters, but our relationship was touch and go for a while 🤓
Jessica, I have a question. I submitted a book proposal to you a little over a year ago. You didn't take me on as a client, but you gave me a wonderful response and encouraged me to keep submitting my book to other agents. I self-published it through KDP but will unpublish it very soon. The reasons I self-published was one, I wanted my mother who is in her mid-80's to see in print. The other reason was that when I was writing the book I kept seeing a certain actor as one character in the book and I wanted to send him a copy which I did. Now, I plan to start submitting the book again. Will unpublishing help or hurt my chances in getting an agent?
It's a really hard thing to write and the $ return and "fame" is not like the general public expects. We are a glamour driven society. I've had some bad responses to being a writer, but I believe and know my writing is a notch above.
It is hard out there for a writer. The uncertainty bites. I explained the process of querying and publication to my mom and now, she is advising me to get a "real" job.
I have been writing for years but I never took any writing classes or studied the publishing side. I also never actually tried to get published. I write fantasy fiction and science fiction. I have actually written over thirty full length novels.(95,000- 120,000 words) I have gone back and edited them and re edited them a few times making improvements to polish them. I have even printed a few off for friends and family to read. They are supportive but there are no other writers locally that write in these genres. Now I am working on query letters but I am not really sure who to send them to. Any suggestions?
First of all, congratulations, that’s an enormous accomplishment! Book ends accepts queries through query manager (a website), you can find a number of agents who represent your genre through there. It’s also a good idea to google the agents of the authors you like to read. I’ve been researching this same thing myself, good luck. 👍
@@jimmychurch9588 thank you. I jist finished another novel and I am going through doing a hard edit. I appreciate the advice. I have written 23 novels and hope to get them published one day. One step at a time. Hope you all have a wonderful day.
I support this. 🤣
Ah, hitting a nerve, eh!
'Most people' do nothing at all. Timid, unoriginal, and comfortable with what has already happened. Add to that the ugly historical nonsense of advertising driven consumerism, where the pitch is to the ignorant buyer, you have entire populations that have 'opinions' on everything consumer. But, when a PRODUCER is talking to a consumer, and that PRODUCER is in process to the market, there is not only that cocky blank stare, there is that calloused indifference that can be painful. It is understandable: every venue has ad copies, the phone, the 'net, the roadsides, the public toilets, even tee shirts and athletic shoes are 'branded,' for the branded like-minded cattle they are meant for!
Congratulations on having the desire to offer your agency services, certain that you can find and place books that other agencies stupidly dismiss or never consider. And congrats on your Book, Mr. McGowan. It is fun to be published, for vanity and occasionally, money. But the enthusiastic feedback from fans and readers is the REAL offset to all that indifference in the seed stage.