I've never kept a diary, with the exception of when I'm traveling, so why write a blog? Haven't got a flippin' clue, but if I ever figure out a good reason, I'll probably ramble on about it in here at some point.
Today has been one of those mind-blowing days. A manuscript I entered into an unpublished novel competition made the first cut - down to 18 of us. Professional critiquing and marketing advice is headed my way. The real kicker - it's a manuscript nobody's been interested in. I've had agents up the wazoo asking for the other one, but nobody's ever even wanted to look at this one.
So, I have to smile. While one manuscript is sitting on an agent's desk in an undisclosed country (not my own) another has jumped an impressive hoop in a contest in the UK. Go figure. I'd given up on ever getting this one published.
If there's a moral to the story, it's that you should never give up on what you believe in. Some people like Dan Brown and, if you went to Harrogate, you know some don't. Some people like Ian Rankin and apparently most of them don't like Stuart MacBride (they have to spend an evening in the bar with you Stuart, then they'll change their tune!)
You know what I say? Stuff the critics - just find your voice, find your audience, and enjoy your writing (or whatever it is that you do) and don't let anyone stop you. You never know when your break is coming!
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2 comments:
How exactly do you stuff a critic? I have stuffed a turkey but I imagine a critic has a different recipe...
Depends on whether or not you want them shake 'n' baked, crispy fried, broiled...
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