‘Ups and downs’ or ‘You can’t win ’em all’
Got over-excited after an agent ‘called in’ my whole novel and a chapter breakdown. But they didn’t take me on. I should have known it would be tears before bed time.
But I’m glad to say I actually enjoy the feeling of hope and confidence that sweeps over me when I press the send button and whizz the first chapters etc off to another agent. I may even miss that sensation when I have become a famous published fiction writer with a brilliant and devoted agent.
I take after my father, who loved competitions and won a number of small sums, and so I have been trying that as another route to getting noticed. So far I’m on one long list (watch this space) and am glad to report one success: a first prize for my first chapter. You can read it free at writersbillboard.net/firstchapter1.html
And if you have suggestions, there’s still time to improve it.
Have just started the Costa novel prize winner, Nathan Filer’s ‘The Shock of the Fall’. I’m loving the keen observation of people and the lovely lucid writing. My own professional background is in mental health and I am very impressed with his ability to write from the point of view of a person who suffers from schizophrenia. A huge challenge and one not to be lightly undertaken.