Popping the query cherry

06/Jan/2011 I happened to read about a pitch fest on Twitter. Despite my lack of visits to the Twitterverse up until that day, I was lucky to have happened upon the tweet that rekindled all my creative urges. I put the novel down a few months ago...life, ya know? But, as it happened, I was more than anxious to send a 140 character tweet to pitch my work. So, like a good little aspiring author, I did a quick search of the agency, found the agent who would best fit my work, and waited for the fest to begin.

This was my tweet: "Kalinda is plucked from ordinary life and transplanted to Rakshala to meet and marry Shivari (God Shiva) to her Kali." (Of course, directed to my agent of choice)

This was the reply: "Could be cool. Can you send me a query letter? I'll get a better sense that way."

Turns out, the agent manning the twitter account was THE agent. The one with her name on the agency. My heart did a little flippity-flop and my head got busy. HOW DO I WRITE A QUERY LETTER???

Research. Research. Research. Draft. Email to confidants. Edit. Email again. Edit again. By Monday, I was ready to send. And send, I did. Happily. And nervously. And I waited.

31/Jan/2011 I resent the query, attaching a note to the original email stating I was unsure if she had received the first send. I also let her know, from researching her stats on Querytracker, I know she has an excellent (and prompt) response rate, thus my concern for the delayed response. And I waited a 'lil more. And checked my email. And waited.

02/Feb/2011 I happened to be checking my email from work on my break. The world around me disappeared when I opened the mail and found her response in my inbox. I held my breath, and opened the door that held one of two options for my future. Either rush home and send a full...or take the rejection and learn a lesson.

This was the reply:

Dear Rene,

I'm sorry about the delay in answering your query letter. This wasn't an easy decision, but I don't think this is for me. Its too close [in tone] to a book I already represent.

Thanks so much for sharing with me.

Cheers

EXHALE.

Read again. And again. And once more to be sure I am NOT dreaming. This is amazing. Truly and sincerely. I could NOT have asked for a more inspiring first query rejection. I was rejected, yes. I did not expect anything less for a first time. And I do expect there will be more to follow. HOWEVER. It wasn't an EASY decision. And the rejection was based on similarities to something she already represents. That is a good thing! It means the work itself was not the basis for the no. That's all I can hope for as a query virgin. And I'd gladly say thank you a million times over if I ever have the opportunity to meet her in real life.

*curtsy*

~Let the games continue~

Congratulations to Thomas!

My boy won the 4th grade spelling bee today! Sadly, the original date was Friday and we were snowed out. Today my van decided it needed another day off. I missed the competition due to a dead battery. He said he was nervous, so maybe it was for the best. District wide competition will be next week. I'm hoping his nerves will be under control for the big one. He told me today he was nervous until he won, then it didn't matter anymore. That's my boy!

GO THOMAS!!!!!

Mama is very proud of you!

XXOOXXOO

Sunday, Sunday, Sunday!

Had a great visit with Marianne today and coffee is always a plus! I think over the course of the last few months, Saturday has been replaced as my favorite day of the week. Today's agenda:finish the dreaded cleaning, perusing a few blogs, few more writing tips to read up on and then...writing my heart out! Or, editing anyway, which still qualifies as 'work'. Back in a bit!

Good Saturday morning!

I am in writing mode today. I woke up feeling extremely well rested and was in a bubbly mood, even without my first 20 oz of heaven! Working on the second cup, kids are content with Tom and Jerry and the two Bills are still in bed. Life's good!

Today is going to be all about the edits. I got into chapter 3 last night and things started flowing more smoothly, even without the ripping and shredding of the red pen. That would be a good thing, considering Mom has the one and only red pen I could find! =)

Later taters!

SpinStories

I pulled the curtain back and peeked out the window. It was a moonless night; the bright flashing red and blue lights sliced through my front entry like there was no wall between them. The neighbors must be at it again. The police visited Mr. and Mrs. 'Holyfield' at least once a week, sometimes twice if it happened to be a long weekend. It just so happens to be Columbus Day; a lesser holiday, as far as holidays go, but a day to drink, nonetheless. And drink they did, apparantly.

SpinStories~what is it?

Let's play a game. I will post a few random sentences, the beginnings of a story we will collaborate to weave. There are a few rules. Well, just one, really. Must be clean. I am a mom, after all. Steamy, but not adult. Harsh, but not vulgar. Whatever floats your boat. Let's see where this takes us! Ready? Begin!
Add your continuation to the comment section and let's play!

Whoa! It said start blogging!

Man, this is some intense pressure! I don't know how people live up to the expectations of being interesting every day. I just have to say, WooHoo! I did it! Now. I am here to get busy. So if you want to visit, feel free. I can't promise that I will fulfill those every day expectations, but have a seat anyway. I'm just learning. Come along for the ride! =)