Sculpture in Canterbury.

Even with a Literary Agent by my side, waiting for a publisher to acquire my novel is still a painfully slow journey. I had been warned, but even so, I hadn’t anticipated just how arduous it would feel at times. I did wonder if it was because I’m an unknown name until I heard an inspirational and uplifting talk by Kirstin Chen, who came to The Novelry via Zoom (what a wonderful invention!) to discuss her writing process and her experience of being published.

Chen’s first novel, Soy Sauce for Beginners, initially received nineteen rejections from publishers, and it took her agent eight months to finally sell it, then a further two years before it was published. Chen went on to become a New York Times best-selling author. Her third novel, Counterfeit, became a Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick and a New York Editors’ choice, as well as numerous other illustrious accolades.

The fact that Chen’s journey had an arduous beginning gives me hope that all is not lost for my novel, Margot Baker Knows Best. However, this doesn’t mean that the wait is any easier, but I have a better idea of what to expect.

So, to keep me from checking my emails too frequently, I’m writing my next novel, reading avidly, and feeding the wildlife in my garden – the fledging blackbirds and starlings are looking nice and plump!

I am delighted that writing brings me so much joy, so I’m happy to sit at my desk five days a week, creating characters and plotlines, and then typing up my handwritten notes over the weekend. But there are no hard and fast rules. Find what works for you, and don’t judge yourself harshly against what other writers do. Ha, if I could adhere to this, I’d be delighted! I’m quick to judge my writing every time I read a new novel, and never in my favour. But that’s another blog post altogether!

I am fortunate to have a few friends at The Novelry in the same boat, so we are supporting one another through this nail-biting time. I have removed the bottle of fizz from the fridge and put it back in the cupboard for now, as seeing it every time I opened the fridge door reminded me that I didn’t have the right excuse to drink it.

If you are waiting, at whatever stage you are at, remember you are not alone. Write something new, read, go for a walk, or whatever takes your fancy. Glass of fizz anyone? No…I didn’t think so

Happy Word Flow One & All