11:46 AM
My life has undergone some serious changes lately. My son graduated from high school, I’ve been considering a major career switch, and the focus of my writing sharpened to finding an agent. So imagine my disappointment when the first rejection letter came.
“Not accepting new clients. Good luck with your writing.”
Ouch. Short and to the point.
Following that came a second letter, this one much more detailed but a rejection all the same.
“Quality writing, great plot, but not able to represent you at this time. Good luck with your writing.”
Double ouch. Added to the emotional turmoil of seeing my baby finish high school, these setbacks left me blubbering and crying out to God.
That’s when He reminded me about the rainbow. The promise it holds goes far beyond the absence of rain. A picture of hope and beauty, it reminds us of God’s faithfulness, His timeless, unchanging love, His magnificent ability to alter nature. If He would trouble Himself to bend water and light in such a way that I am reminded of His promises, why do I think that He would fail to hold my hopes and desires in the palm of His hand?
The problem is my timing is not always His. I’ll keep doing my part. I’ll send out the proposals and query letters. In the meantime, I’ve got to learn to leave the results of those letters up to Him. After all, He’s much better at handling them than I am.
“Not accepting new clients. Good luck with your writing.”
Ouch. Short and to the point.
Following that came a second letter, this one much more detailed but a rejection all the same.
“Quality writing, great plot, but not able to represent you at this time. Good luck with your writing.”
Double ouch. Added to the emotional turmoil of seeing my baby finish high school, these setbacks left me blubbering and crying out to God.
That’s when He reminded me about the rainbow. The promise it holds goes far beyond the absence of rain. A picture of hope and beauty, it reminds us of God’s faithfulness, His timeless, unchanging love, His magnificent ability to alter nature. If He would trouble Himself to bend water and light in such a way that I am reminded of His promises, why do I think that He would fail to hold my hopes and desires in the palm of His hand?
The problem is my timing is not always His. I’ll keep doing my part. I’ll send out the proposals and query letters. In the meantime, I’ve got to learn to leave the results of those letters up to Him. After all, He’s much better at handling them than I am.
5 comments :
Hang in, girlfriend. He has just the right one getting ready for you.
Oh, man, do I know what you're talking about. I had an agent, once, for a short time. That's over, and I'm looking for another.
Let me add this: in January I'll see my 5th small-press book published. Does this draw any water with agents, that I can sell to smaller houses? Apparently not. It's just as difficult to get an agent interested now as it is before I sold.
The pool of agents who prefer Christian fiction is not large, and though there are additions from time to time, it doesn't compare with the agent-pool for ABA fiction.
That said, I know there is someone out there who's gonna love my stuff as much as these small-press editors do, and with God's blessings, maybe more.
I wish & pray the same for you. Maybe we'll meet Agent Right at ACFW in Dallas--are you going?
Yes, Deb, I'm going. I'll be sitting up bleary eyed until all hours tonight, just in case they post the registration link early. Of course, they won't, and at 8:00 in the morning, I will be dozing in the recliner and miss it entirely :-)
Okay--my other comment disappeared in cyberspace...
Lisa--you're such a tremendous uplifter of others; you have blessed me so often with your gifts. A quote I posted on my blog the other day has truly touched my heart. It's from EXPERIENCING GOD: "You can't stay where you are and go with God."
Movement can be a good thing! I'm keeping you in my prayers.
He has an agent all primed for you, Lisa. And when you least expect it, He'll drop that agent right in your lap. I have no doubt. You know why? Because He loves to bless His diligent servants.
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