Post Conference Anxiety
I’ve been back from conference four days now and I haven’t written a word. I’ve been busy reading blogs, looking at pictures of us behaving badly in Dallas and generally procrastinating the actual act of opening my document. You see, I went to this conference with the specific goal of catching the eye of a specific agent. I knew that I needed to meet this agent in person and pray she liked me enough to request to see my work. I did meet her and she did make a request.
Problem is, now I have to send it and I’m scared. I’ve never sent my work to an agent before. What if she hates it? What if she rejects me? What if I suck? Those are the questions I ask myself each time I go to open my document and polish up the first three chapters. For some reason I haven’t been able to get started on polishing this MS or writing the synopsis. My palms get sweaty each time I think about it. But I can’t keep myself busy forever, can I? I promised myself I’d send this off by the end of next week. If I want my CP to read it first, I need to get on the ball. I need to get to work. I need to get over this anxiety and write.
So. Does any one else have post-conference anxiety?
July 19th, 2007 at 2:40 am
Feisty!!! SEND IT!! Polish that sucker and SEND it. You have the golden ticket right now! (The open invite!)
I get a bit of post conference anxiety, but not much. I sent out a bunch of updates on my contest win for my book, now I’m twiddling my thumbs waiting for something to happen. While I write a Brava sub of course.
You can doooo eeet!
July 19th, 2007 at 2:42 am
Thanks, Shelli! I will do it, I promise. And good luck on that Brava sub-I know it’s gonna kick ass!
July 19th, 2007 at 3:30 am
I always get a bit of anxiety, mixed in with the exhileration and also the sadness at not seeing people. If only we could have some form of conference all the time.
But now’s a great time for you to take a deep breath, remember that YOU are Ms. Fiesty and that Amazing Agent would be lucky to have you, and trust in your talent. If YOU can’t get your head around your synopsis (coz let’s face it, those bitches blow) ask your CP to write it for you. I’m often astounded at how clearer others see our stories than we do.
Knock ‘em dead.
July 19th, 2007 at 11:09 am
Thanks, Feist! You are so freaking awesome. You’re the next big thing.
Gabrielle, I totally get that post con sadness. I miss everyone.
Especially the fire ants and mouse, we really bonded.
July 19th, 2007 at 11:27 am
A - You don’t suck!
B - If she hates it, some one else will love it (trust me I went through that with an agent)
C - You’ll never have any of the answers if you don’t send it!
One foot in front of the other, stop focusing on the what ifs and just move.
Oh! and Good luck, my fingers are crossed!!!!!
July 19th, 2007 at 12:18 pm
Hey, Feist. What happened to those lots of pics you said you’d post!
July 19th, 2007 at 12:45 pm
Thanks girls! You guys are awesome! And shelli, I was going to post some last night but Photobucket was being a bitch!
July 19th, 2007 at 1:04 pm
Do it, beautiful. I’m sure you won’t regret it.
July 19th, 2007 at 4:06 pm
What Samantha said….this might sound trite but the worst she can say is no and no is just no on that one book, not no forever, right? and honestly, as many rejections as I’ve scored (in the 100’s here) i can promise you it’s not the end of the world.
July 19th, 2007 at 6:42 pm
Feisty, I’ve been exactly where you are! Thing is, as great as the conversation was with “amazing agent”…as much as you connected, she’s not obsessing over when you get this ms to her.
If you take a little longer…that’s ok. And if she says no…not this one…send me more…then that’s ok too.
I remember coming home from a con once and basking for two solid weeks in the glow from an agent saying: “You have so much potential!” I was so thrilled at all this potential that I stopped dead. LOL
Anxiety is related to good stuff just as much as bad…so, (and I’ve never met you so I’m really out on a limb here) just get your head on straight again and realize this was a good conference for you…not the *only* conference for you.
and this will not be your *only* chance to wow this agent with your writing.
It’s the *first* chance.
Be cool, write well, tell good stories.
Bonnie
July 19th, 2007 at 6:47 pm
You guys are all so awesome (especially Rob ’cause he called me beautiful
).
Bonnie, thanks for the words of wisdom. I know you’re right. In fact, this story is one of those “love or hate” things so I wouldn’t be surprised if she did want to see other stuff.
Thanks. You made me feel beetter.
July 19th, 2007 at 8:15 pm
You’re welcome.
Glad I could help.
Bonnie
July 19th, 2007 at 10:09 pm
In the immortal words of that weird guy in the Adam Sandler movie… YOU CAN DO IT!
Come on, girl. This is what you’ve been striving for. What you’ve been working towards, plotting, scheming, whatever you want to call it! You’re here! Now all you have to do is send it out. Don’t let fear or insecurity hold you back. If she doesn’t want it after you send it, her loss. There’s someone out there who will LOVE it. But chances are, she IS that someone. So get to it woman. NOW. ;)
July 20th, 2007 at 4:40 pm
Ah I’m late in offering advice here but I really have nothing else to say cos everyone else said it best!!! Definitely send this in and quick!! Make it the best it can be and trust me, the worst she can say is no.
I don’t know how many stories I’ve heard of writers who were asked to send in a partial or full to an agent or editor and they NEVER DID IT cos they freaked out over it. Talk about missed opportunity!!
Just do it sweets. I think you rock, I bet she’ll think you rock, too.
July 21st, 2007 at 8:17 am
Um, Feisty. You do not suck. ‘K?
I can guess who this agent is. Think we discussed her? You should strike while the iron is hot! Get something to her NOW! I can’t imagine she wouldn’t love your stuff, but if she doesn’t, there will be others who do. You rock!
So, put on those big girl panties and take advantage of this opportunity! Please!