Discouragement

Note: I am tempted to edit this, something I didn't do when it was originally written. I was angry and frustrated that day, and this posting shows that in how it's written. But I want it to reflect who I am and how I am feeling on any particular day so there are no corrections here. mbd, 2/23/09

I am feeling discouraged today, thought not for any perticular reason. I have my new Writer's Digest, which generally cheers me, but not today.

I am struck yet again by how enormous the task is of getting published and then of getting noticed so that you can sell books. Even in a good economy, which isn't the case at the moment, getting published is difficult.

On one of the ABNA threads yesterday, another aspiring writer compiled a list of some three dozen agents whom he had cross-referenced in Publisher's Marketplace for being the best in helping debut authors and who had gotten the best overall deals for mystery, crime, thriller and suspense writers. Some I didn't know, such as Deidre Knight, while others I was afraid to query, such as David Gernert (who has represented John Grisham).

But others I have queried and none have sent a response. What am I, chopped liver? I write well, my book ideas are good and original. Why is this so hard for me?

I have sent out five queries in the last week, and plan more today and tomorrow. I know I can't give up hope but sometimes, like now, it just seems so hard.

Thanks for reading and keep writing.