Hebrews 3:7
So, as the Holy Spirit says: "Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts . . ."
I begin writing my novel in the summer of 2007. And inexplicable do-or-die, now-or-never urge possesses me. I wind up with thirteen chapters, and am pleased with the story's direction by the time school starts up again. Too busy and distracted by teaching, I reluctantly shelve my novel until the following summer.
It takes two more summers to complete. And, the most amazing thing about this whole process? I am certain, beyond a shadow of a doubt that God, through His Holy Spirit, has sat right next to me the entire time. Because, as odd as it may sound, I don't write the book.
It writes itself.
And, I know it's good. Worthy of readership. Yet, every agent I seek out is not interested in representing me. No publisher takes the bait.
Rejections take their toll . . .
At the gracious invitation of my brother in Christ, Dusty Rayburn, I am posting on his blog, Devoted Conversations today. I do hope you will visit and become a fan of Dusty's writing. Thank you, Dusty, for this opportunity to share with your audience. God bless always!
Thanks for sharing, Martha. Rejections are so hard, especially when we're sure that we're doing what God wants us to. I'll be sharing you're post too.
ReplyDeleteI'll visit Dusty's blog.
Blessings and love,
Kim
Thanks so much for sharing, Kim! I so appreciate it and am glad this post spoke to you today.
DeleteLove and blessings!
They are brutal if truth be told. It's about the money. If agent doesn't see it becoming a blockbuster likely not going to take a chance, which is why more and more authors are going self-pub. Then what happens is after the writer does all the work, gets a following the agents seek you out. Don't wait, M.
ReplyDeleteOf course, Brenda, it's definitely about the money in the majority of cases. Fortunately, God led me to the right publisher who was more interested in a great story and a huge bank account. Still hoping someone will want to make the novels into a movie one day. :) Thant would make my publisher very happy, too!
DeleteThanks so much for coming by!
Love and blessings!
All it takes is one "yes." I was telling my daughter the other day about when I was in law school. I wanted to work for a federal appellate judge after graduation, but those jobs were very hard to come by. In fact, no one from my school had ever gotten one. But I applied...to almost every federal appellate judge in the country! Rejections started pouring in--over 200 of them. But out of all that, I got two interviews, and yes, one job. It was just what I wanted. I kept all those rejection letters for a long time in my desk drawer--a reminder to be humble and patient and trusting.
ReplyDeleteAnd of course, there are many ways to publish these days. I self-published and that was a very good choice for me.
In any event, it will all work out exactly right. Good luck!
Thanks so much for coming by today, Galen, and for sharing your remarkable story! It reminds me of when Danny was out of GA Tech and applying for jobs. He had well over 200 rejections before he landed a job with EPA, even though he graduated with honors. He told me he taped each rejection to the wall of his apartment and, like you, refused to become dejected or to give up.
DeleteAnd, you are right - things do work out exactly right, all in God's timing.
Blessings to you, dear friend!
Hi Martha - you left us at a cliffhanger here. Rejection always presents with two choices - do we give up or keep going? Looking forward to catching up with the rest of the post on Dusty's blog to see how the story turned out.
ReplyDeleteI know, Vishnu! And, a cliffhanger it was meant to be so that my dear readers would visit Dusty's blog. I have responded to your most thoughtful comment there. :)
DeleteBlessings, my friend!
You Martha are a success, no matter what happens with the book. You were driven to write it, you did it. You love it, know it is good. From there the only place you can go is up. Congratulations on finishing that journey with a smile, regardless of the rejections. <3
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for coming by, Sunflowergirle! Great to have you here! Fortunately, this story has a happy ending as my book was picked up by a publisher. You can order from this website. Just click on the author's link in the top right-hand corner.
DeleteBlessings to you!