Comments on: When Is It Time to Throw in the Towel? http://www.jackiebarbosa.com/2009/09/08/when-is-it-time-to-throw-in-the-towel/ History Made Hot Fri, 10 Feb 2012 00:22:49 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: admin http://www.jackiebarbosa.com/2009/09/08/when-is-it-time-to-throw-in-the-towel/comment-page-1/#comment-675 admin Thu, 10 Sep 2009 15:57:04 +0000 http://www.jackiebarbosa.com/?p=764#comment-675 <blockquote>You may not be throwing in the towel so much as sending it through the laundry to use another day once it’s fluffy and clean.</blockquote> Well, I'll be damned if this isn't the best line in the whole thread. If nothing else, it made me smile. Broadly. Thanks, Jody. I'm still not sure where I'm "at" yet or whether it's time to toss the towel in the washer. I just know I have to find my way back to the joy or it's not worth doing.

You may not be throwing in the towel so much as sending it through the laundry to use another day once it’s fluffy and clean.

Well, I’ll be damned if this isn’t the best line in the whole thread. If nothing else, it made me smile. Broadly.

Thanks, Jody.

I’m still not sure where I’m “at” yet or whether it’s time to toss the towel in the washer. I just know I have to find my way back to the joy or it’s not worth doing.

]]> By: Jody W. http://www.jackiebarbosa.com/2009/09/08/when-is-it-time-to-throw-in-the-towel/comment-page-1/#comment-674 Jody W. Thu, 10 Sep 2009 15:51:42 +0000 http://www.jackiebarbosa.com/?p=764#comment-674 OMG we are SO in the same place. I think you can keep flipping that towel if the sacrifices you and your family have to make in order for you to put the time in to be a writer don't outweigh the benefits. If your family is suffering...and you are suffering...and you're not getting what you need from the bargain, whatever that need may be, sabbaticals are very respectable. You may not be throwing in the towel so much as sending it through the laundry to use another day once it's fluffy and clean :) OMG we are SO in the same place. I think you can keep flipping that towel if the sacrifices you and your family have to make in order for you to put the time in to be a writer don’t outweigh the benefits. If your family is suffering…and you are suffering…and you’re not getting what you need from the bargain, whatever that need may be, sabbaticals are very respectable. You may not be throwing in the towel so much as sending it through the laundry to use another day once it’s fluffy and clean :)

]]> By: Amie Stuart http://www.jackiebarbosa.com/2009/09/08/when-is-it-time-to-throw-in-the-towel/comment-page-1/#comment-665 Amie Stuart Wed, 09 Sep 2009 20:29:41 +0000 http://www.jackiebarbosa.com/?p=764#comment-665 I think there will come a time when you WANT/NEED to write a book--a book that you feel deeply for. But it might be a while. You've got to empty some garbage out of your head--and like Jill said, it's NORMAL even if it's messed up :D I think there will come a time when you WANT/NEED to write a book–a book that you feel deeply for. But it might be a while. You’ve got to empty some garbage out of your head–and like Jill said, it’s NORMAL even if it’s messed up :D

]]> By: admin http://www.jackiebarbosa.com/2009/09/08/when-is-it-time-to-throw-in-the-towel/comment-page-1/#comment-663 admin Wed, 09 Sep 2009 16:00:01 +0000 http://www.jackiebarbosa.com/?p=764#comment-663 Thanks to all of you for the advice and encouragement. I swear, writers (and readers) are the kindest, most generous people in the world. I don't disagree with the observation that I have to just set aside any concern about selling and write something I want to write for myself and no one else. I think that's absolutely right. The problem I'm having with that at the moment is that, while I have many, many ideas, nothing is demanding to become that "book of my heart." There's really no story that's banging around in my head demanding to be let out. I just have a lot of ideas that sound like fun to me, but none of them is hounding me. I can pretty much take them or leave them all. Of course, this could be a purely temporary malaise, but it's also a problem I've been struggling with for months now. I can be very excited about something when I start it, but I tend to reach the "OMG, this sucks and I hate it," stage before I'm even 10,000 words in. And the fact that I haven't broken out of that phase for months now concerns me. And honestly, that's why I wonder if it isn't time to throw in the towel...maybe not forever, but at least for a while. On some level, I suppose I'm worried that I'll never really LONG to write a book so much that nothing else matters. Thanks to all of you for the advice and encouragement. I swear, writers (and readers) are the kindest, most generous people in the world.

I don’t disagree with the observation that I have to just set aside any concern about selling and write something I want to write for myself and no one else. I think that’s absolutely right.

The problem I’m having with that at the moment is that, while I have many, many ideas, nothing is demanding to become that “book of my heart.” There’s really no story that’s banging around in my head demanding to be let out. I just have a lot of ideas that sound like fun to me, but none of them is hounding me. I can pretty much take them or leave them all.

Of course, this could be a purely temporary malaise, but it’s also a problem I’ve been struggling with for months now. I can be very excited about something when I start it, but I tend to reach the “OMG, this sucks and I hate it,” stage before I’m even 10,000 words in. And the fact that I haven’t broken out of that phase for months now concerns me.

And honestly, that’s why I wonder if it isn’t time to throw in the towel…maybe not forever, but at least for a while. On some level, I suppose I’m worried that I’ll never really LONG to write a book so much that nothing else matters.

]]> By: Kris Eton http://www.jackiebarbosa.com/2009/09/08/when-is-it-time-to-throw-in-the-towel/comment-page-1/#comment-662 Kris Eton Wed, 09 Sep 2009 14:23:27 +0000 http://www.jackiebarbosa.com/?p=764#comment-662 I think I've told you this before, Jackie. I don't know if I could write a proposal and the NOT finish the book. I think I'll be one of those writers who just doesn't sell that way...at least not in the beginning of my career. I enjoy the storytelling process and my ideas so much, that if I feel the impulse to write it, I must, no matter if there is a market waiting out there or not. I'm also a big believer in finding a suitable home for books...even when they are rejected by bigger pubs/agents. I spent time writing these books, know they are pretty good, and feel that even a very small audience is better than no audience at all. I think you maybe got so caught up in the business side of things and freaked out so much over writing something saleable, that you lost track of what you enjoy. You've had so many good ideas for books that haven't been tackled...I think you should go back and look at some of those things and decide if you want to write them or not...for yourself...because you know it would be fun/a good story or whatever. If NY won't take 'em then an epub will...you know that is true. And what is so terrible about that? Nothing! We all take different paths to writing success...some are smoother than others. But that doesn't mean you don't have talent or ability. I think I’ve told you this before, Jackie. I don’t know if I could write a proposal and the NOT finish the book. I think I’ll be one of those writers who just doesn’t sell that way…at least not in the beginning of my career. I enjoy the storytelling process and my ideas so much, that if I feel the impulse to write it, I must, no matter if there is a market waiting out there or not.

I’m also a big believer in finding a suitable home for books…even when they are rejected by bigger pubs/agents. I spent time writing these books, know they are pretty good, and feel that even a very small audience is better than no audience at all.

I think you maybe got so caught up in the business side of things and freaked out so much over writing something saleable, that you lost track of what you enjoy. You’ve had so many good ideas for books that haven’t been tackled…I think you should go back and look at some of those things and decide if you want to write them or not…for yourself…because you know it would be fun/a good story or whatever.

If NY won’t take ‘em then an epub will…you know that is true. And what is so terrible about that? Nothing! We all take different paths to writing success…some are smoother than others. But that doesn’t mean you don’t have talent or ability.

]]> By: Jill Sorenson http://www.jackiebarbosa.com/2009/09/08/when-is-it-time-to-throw-in-the-towel/comment-page-1/#comment-661 Jill Sorenson Wed, 09 Sep 2009 14:07:43 +0000 http://www.jackiebarbosa.com/?p=764#comment-661 What you're going through is normal. I've had more projects rejected than accepted. And I'm talking about full length novels, not proposals. There are times that writing is a chore for me, but once I'm immersed in a new project, those doubts and fears drift away. If you've been trying to sell ideas, don't. Write a complete novel, another sexy historical, because you've been successful in that subgenre. See if you feel better once you're buried in the story and focusing on writing, rather than the dismal business outlook. What you’re going through is normal. I’ve had more projects rejected than accepted. And I’m talking about full length novels, not proposals. There are times that writing is a chore for me, but once I’m immersed in a new project, those doubts and fears drift away.

If you’ve been trying to sell ideas, don’t. Write a complete novel, another sexy historical, because you’ve been successful in that subgenre. See if you feel better once you’re buried in the story and focusing on writing, rather than the dismal business outlook.

]]> By: B.E. Sanderson http://www.jackiebarbosa.com/2009/09/08/when-is-it-time-to-throw-in-the-towel/comment-page-1/#comment-660 B.E. Sanderson Wed, 09 Sep 2009 13:26:13 +0000 http://www.jackiebarbosa.com/?p=764#comment-660 After five+ years of this with no measurable success, I can't say I blame you for wondering if you should quit. All I can do is tell you what I ask myself when I feel like quitting: Who are you doing all this for? If you're only writing for the potential accolades, and you're not getting them, maybe you should quit. (Harsh, I know, but bear with me.) Maybe that's why you don't love your writing any more - because you're writing for everyone else and not for YOU. I think you need to write for yourself first. I may never see a book of mine in print, but I still love writing - because I write for myself. Look at it another way, Jackie, you have Red Door in print - you loved the book and someone else loved it enough to publish it. Maybe the reason why you can't seem to get anything else published is because you don't love your writing anymore. How can anyone else love your work when you don't love it to start with? Start writing what you love and maybe the contracts will come back, and if they don't, at least you'll have written something your heart can be proud of. And now that I've given you this pep-talk, I've kicked my own ass, too. I won't quit any time soon, and I don't think you should either. I think you are talented, and the help you gave me on that query letter was awesome. Don't make me come through the modem and go all fur and fangs on you. ;o) After five+ years of this with no measurable success, I can’t say I blame you for wondering if you should quit. All I can do is tell you what I ask myself when I feel like quitting: Who are you doing all this for? If you’re only writing for the potential accolades, and you’re not getting them, maybe you should quit. (Harsh, I know, but bear with me.) Maybe that’s why you don’t love your writing any more – because you’re writing for everyone else and not for YOU. I think you need to write for yourself first. I may never see a book of mine in print, but I still love writing – because I write for myself.

Look at it another way, Jackie, you have Red Door in print – you loved the book and someone else loved it enough to publish it. Maybe the reason why you can’t seem to get anything else published is because you don’t love your writing anymore. How can anyone else love your work when you don’t love it to start with? Start writing what you love and maybe the contracts will come back, and if they don’t, at least you’ll have written something your heart can be proud of.

And now that I’ve given you this pep-talk, I’ve kicked my own ass, too. I won’t quit any time soon, and I don’t think you should either. I think you are talented, and the help you gave me on that query letter was awesome.

Don’t make me come through the modem and go all fur and fangs on you. ;o)

]]> By: Amie Stuart http://www.jackiebarbosa.com/2009/09/08/when-is-it-time-to-throw-in-the-towel/comment-page-1/#comment-659 Amie Stuart Tue, 08 Sep 2009 18:27:27 +0000 http://www.jackiebarbosa.com/?p=764#comment-659 IMNSHO this is where that lovely phrase "Book of the heart" comes from. You write a book that doesn't take into account all that nasty stuff like "marketability" LOL You stop worrying about what "New York Thinks" Because by damn, I bet Madonna never did :D Do I need to dig out that article and send it to you? Yeah I know...Madonna wasn't trying to break into the music business circa 2009 but I think it still applies to a certain extent IMNSHO this is where that lovely phrase “Book of the heart” comes from. You write a book that doesn’t take into account all that nasty stuff like “marketability” LOL You stop worrying about what “New York Thinks” Because by damn, I bet Madonna never did :D Do I need to dig out that article and send it to you? Yeah I know…Madonna wasn’t trying to break into the music business circa 2009 but I think it still applies to a certain extent

]]> By: Booklover1335 http://www.jackiebarbosa.com/2009/09/08/when-is-it-time-to-throw-in-the-towel/comment-page-1/#comment-658 Booklover1335 Tue, 08 Sep 2009 18:11:02 +0000 http://www.jackiebarbosa.com/?p=764#comment-658 Hey Jackie, IMHO if you are passionate about something then I think you never throw in the towel, just redirect how you express yourself. To use your analogy about baseball or an actor. If you love to play baseball, and give up the dream of playing the in the major leagues, maybe you try out for the minor leagues or are happy just to play the game with a local league. If you are an actor and don't make it on the big screen or on broadway and are passionate about acting you don't give up, you just join a local theatre group to express your desire to act while still trying for the big time. Maybe you need to take a break from submitting, and get back to writing what drew you to wanting to be an author in the first place. Sure you should keep in mind trends and what readers are looking for if you are serious about wanting to make it a career, but trying to appeal to all readers will only gain you frustration and masque your true voice. And that's what I want as a reader a true unique voice. Take Megan Hart for example. She is one of my fav authors, and like me some readers love her work, BUT she has just as many readers who hate them because she does not write the typical HEA that romance readers expect. However, this has not stopped her from writing the stories the way she feels they need to be written, nor from selling them. Don't write for the common denominator. Write what you think makes a good story. Then maybe get a new agent or some new critique partners someone who is truthful and tell you what they really think before you submit it. Don't know if this will make a difference for you or not, but I do hope that if you love writing that you won't give up just because you have had some setbacks, refocus, redirect but always follow your passion. Hey Jackie,
IMHO if you are passionate about something then I think you never throw in the towel, just redirect how you express yourself. To use your analogy about baseball or an actor.

If you love to play baseball, and give up the dream of playing the in the major leagues, maybe you try out for the minor leagues or are happy just to play the game with a local league.

If you are an actor and don’t make it on the big screen or on broadway and are passionate about acting you don’t give up, you just join a local theatre group to express your desire to act while still trying for the big time.

Maybe you need to take a break from submitting, and get back to writing what drew you to wanting to be an author in the first place. Sure you should keep in mind trends and what readers are looking for if you are serious about wanting to make it a career, but trying to appeal to all readers will only gain you frustration and masque your true voice. And that’s what I want as a reader a true unique voice.

Take Megan Hart for example. She is one of my fav authors, and like me some readers love her work, BUT she has just as many readers who hate them because she does not write the typical HEA that romance readers expect. However, this has not stopped her from writing the stories the way she feels they need to be written, nor from selling them.

Don’t write for the common denominator. Write what you think makes a good story. Then maybe get a new agent or some new critique partners someone who is truthful and tell you what they really think before you submit it. Don’t know if this will make a difference for you or not, but I do hope that if you love writing that you won’t give up just because you have had some setbacks, refocus, redirect but always follow your passion.

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