The hardest thing for an unpublished writer to face is that first rejection letter. Up until then there is always some hope at the back of your mind that you might have written a masterpiece. Otherwise why would you really bother? Unlike other arts there is not the fame or really the money to tempt you.
However with the first rejection you know that you’re not amazing, that your work wont get snapped up within a barriage of media, accolades and a six figure book deal. Then you start fortfying yourself with reassuring tales of how JK Rowling went unpublished for years, how people didnt get the genisus of Ulyssess straight away… something neccesary to power you through until you get that break. And if it never comes- well there is no point thinking about that!
Perhaps the real hardest thing to judge is whether something is actually good or not. Are you just decieving yourself? are you the equivalent of the fat contestant on X-factor with a voice like a raped donkey? trouble is it’s a judgement you cant make but it can be tough sharing your writing. Up until my novel was nearly completed I did not tell anyone about it, let alone allow them to read it. Even now there is only a few- though I am trying to bite the bullet and tell more people but there are always the inevitable question ‘what’s it about?’ which ok should be expected but it is an arse to deal with. Your grand plan condesed into a few words suddenly shatters to reveal some juvile pretentious idea- as anyone who has tried to struggle with a synopsis will know…
So is my work any good? I have been lucky enough to have some feedback from a published writer I happened to come across in a forum. She says from my openiong few chapters that ‘I have a way with words’. All good. However she has also warned me that my idea is pretty unconvetional and may be viewed as ‘suspect’ by literary agents. Not so good.
Conclusions? Better dig out my Harry Potter and Joyce and prepare for the long haul.
