About a year or so ago, I finished writing my first novel for kids, and it remains unpublished. I put it aside, because my last contact with an editor suggested rewriting it in first person.
After three years trying my best to make this novel publishable, I realized I’m not a novelist. Some people might say I should have known before I even started that I wasn’t a novelist, but I tend to be a little naive when it comes to my own limitations. I have always believed if you put your all into something, with enough practice, education, and dedication it’s possible to achieve anything. But sometimes there comes a point when you have to make a decision what is more important – achieving a certain goal at all costs, or staying true to yourself. With this novel, I had decided it was more important to stay true to myself. I have had the manuscript critiqued at several writing workshops, and there was actually some interest from an agent at a serious New York agency, and an editor at one of the major New York publishers. But the manuscript didn’t quite measure up to their standards in the long run. It has several strikes against it. It’s not fantasy, it’s set in the future, which technically makes it science fiction. It’s not typical science fiction. The editor described it as a quiet story, which places another mark against it. There are so many strikes against this novel that I don’t believe any publisher would want to take a chance on it. There just doesn’t seem to be any room for this type of book on the shelves of bookstores.
Now that NaNoWriMo has started, I find myself thinking about writing again. I’ve decided I’m not interested in completely rebuilding this novel to make it fit on bookstore shelves. But I would like to revisit the story. I have ideas on what I’d like to do with it, and I think I would enjoy spending a little time every day working on it. So, I’ve decided to dedicate 15 minutes a day to rewriting this novel. Thanks so much to all the NaNoWriMo participants for getting me motivated again!
On a separate note, a couple of days ago I received a message from Janece that she had left something for me on her blog. To my surprise it was the 7×7 Link award. I need to put some thought into this one. I’m really honored she decided to include me in her list of 7 blogs! I feel so fortunate to have found such a nice community here on WordPress.
A quiet novel sounds nice to me. I have a 7 year old son and I am constantly trying to get him interested in books and movies that aren’t violent.
Hi Kerri, There’s a book I would recommend for your son if you haven’t heard of it. You should try “Frindle” by Andrew Clements. The age group is 8 to 12. It’s probably the most entertaining story in the middle grade age group that I’ve read in the last couple of years, and it doesn’t contain even a single shred of violence.
Tim
Thanks for sharing this book read. I’m off to Google it now.
Hi Adriann, I’m so glad you saw my reply to your comment. “Frindle” really is an excellent book. I think most public libraries carry it. I’m excited that I could refer you to it. I really think it’s the kind of book that could get a kid interested in reading.
Another great one is “A Single Shard” by Linda Sue Park (ages 10 and up). There is one instance in the book where the main character is attacked by a couple of robbers, but it is an excellent book, and it’s not based on violence.
Tim
Sounds like you have done a lot of soul searching, Tim. And because a publisher doesn’t think your novel “fits in” doesn’t mean that you have to abandon your goal. You may have to keep it as a personal accomplishment and look at it knowing that you grew and gained confidence as a writer with each thought you put into it. Your art is obviously your passion and perhaps you will grow even more as an artist (if that’s possible!) now that you can set your writing aside and enjoy it for what it is. And maybe with that new outlook and less pressure on yourself, you will re-tell the story and it will be transformed. Don’t beat yourself up over it, just enjoy the ride.
Hi Bonnie, You’re right, I have done a lot of soul searching over this – and I have come to terms with it, and I’ve also learned a lot in the process. I do feel finishing that novel was a major accomplishment. As a teenager, I had started to write a novel, but I never finished it. I think it was that attempt that helped me to reach the decision to pursue art rather than writing as a career. Later on in life, I started to wonder what could have happened if I hadn’t given up on writing. I wondered if I was capable of writing a novel from start to finish. I proved to myself that I could do it. So, it is a major accomplishment, and I feel very good about it, whether it is ever published or not. Thanks so much for the feedback!
Tim
If the novel is finished to your standards, is there any reason not to self publish it as an ebook? Many of those authors that don’t fit genre stereotypes (I’m one) go this route. Let me know if I can help, Robin
Hi Robin, Actually, I think the manuscript needs more work. I thought I had finished it to my standards the last time I submitted it to an editor, but after gaining feedback, I realized it needs to have more kid appeal. I think as it is now, kids might find it boring. So, I think it needs to be rewritten. I don’t think the editor and agent were wrong in turning it down. I’m keeping self-publishing open as an option in the long run, but I don’t have the confidence to do that yet without input from an editor. I think I read somewhere that you have to write a million wrong words before you can write one good one (or something along those lines), and I think I’m at the 500,000 word mark, so I’m only half way there.
Wayne Dyer says, “If you change the way you look at things. The things you look at change.” So those strikes could just be points of expansions from were to start to grow. I think the 15 min a day will work out great!
Hi Linda, Thanks for the encouragement. I know it’s not the same ambitious goal as NaNoWriMo, but I think it will at least keep the ball rolling.
Tim
Great sketch. You’re such an inspiration. Thanks so much for sharing yourself with us. {{{hugs}}}
Diana
Hi Diana, Thanks for the feedback. Sometimes after I post something, I second guess myself, and I hope the things I write are both truthful and inspirational. I think everyone probably has doubts and self criticism and criticism from others, but I think the key for me has been to continue on, no matter what.
Tim
I think you should keep writing and definitely stay true to yourself; there may not be a market for it now but who’s to say what the next ‘big thing’ will be. In time your novel will find it’s slot on the bookshelves 🙂
I think you should always pursue your dreams; it’s better to look back knowing you tried rather then to look back and have regrets
Good luck 🙂
p.s; lovely sketch 🙂
Thanks so much, I agree it’s better to pursue dreams rather than to look back wondering.
Tim
You know, sometimes you have to just put aside a project that’s not flowing, get started on something fresh, and know that you will come back to this baby at some point in the future. As long as it feeds your soul, why stop?
Hi Vivian, That’s a really good point!
Tim
You completed a novel. You are a novelist. A writer is someone who writes. Doesn’t matter so much if it gets published. Sure, its good to have goals, but really, isn’t the reality that we love the process as much as the product? I think it’s all about the journey…. 🙂
Really happy to have found your blog. Thanks for your posts.
Hi Amy, I totally agree with that statement. It’s as much about the journey as the destinations.
Tim
Hi Tim, I think is a great idea to revisit your book. And if this novel has even a tiny bit of the talent you show on your drawings… well, it will be a work of art.
Go for it and enjoy!
Thanks so much for that comment!
Tim