Okay, so I wish I was about to say I GOT AN AGENT and that would have been the explanation for the shaky hands, but alas, it is not. The shaky hands have to do with the fact that today I begin my SEARCH for an agent.
I've had some crazy last minute issues with preparing my first five pages for submission to some of the agents who request that with the query. I have learned a few things. There is a difference between Plain Text and HTML (or Rich Text). I had no clue what the hell those were. Yes, I'm really that computer illiterate. So, I started a thread on AW in the Basic Writing Questions forum and got a plethora of responses, which only left me in a further panic. From 9:30 to11:30 last night I was trying to solve the problem of how I send my material and make sure the italics portions stay intact. They are essential to my first five pages and the novel as a whole because they indicate when a telepathic conversation is occurring. Without the italics, it might not make sense that the characters are communicating and I can't use quotes because that is for regular dialogue which also occurs in the chapter/novel. Anyway, in the end, the best advice that I received and that I'm going with is to use underscores at the beginning and end of the sentence that would normally be italicized. Apparently this is industry standard and thus the safe way to go.
About those shaky hands...is it normal? What about my upset stomach that is causing me to run to the bathroom every 15 minutes. Is it:
A)The liquor I drank last night
B)Nerves
C)Stomach virus
D) All of the above
In any event, I will send out my first batch of 5 queries between today and tomorrow. I'm totally freaking out. This is so important and what I've been working so hard towards for the past year!
For those of you who have been through the querying process, what was it like for you and how did you deal???
HELLOOOOO MONDAY!
5 days ago
Good luck!! The butterflies are a normal part of it (and I don't think they ever truly disappear). Just trust that you're doing the right thing, think positively, and let it go. Happy, lucky vibes to you!
ReplyDeleteGood luck!!
ReplyDeleteGuess I know who I'll be going to when I come across these issues. :) Good luck, sweets!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm nervous and I'm not even at the query stage, can't imagine what your going through. Hang in there though, it'll all be worth it in the end.
ReplyDeleteOh geez. HOw did I ever get through other querying stages?! I think I kept a post-it on my forehead that read; BREATHE. Lots of deep breaths! And caffiene. Yes.
ReplyDeleteGood luck lovely lady! Got all my fingers, toes, and even my eyes crossed for you!
I'm afraid the butterflies still haven't gone away for me (and I've been on sub for like ever), but I think that's okay! They let us know this is an exciting process that means a lot. Good luck, Mel!
ReplyDeleteHang in there.
ReplyDeleteStill trying to figure it out myself. But best of luck!
ReplyDeleteThanks everyone. Sent out 4 queries today. Thought I sent out 5 but just realized that 1+3 does not equal 5. :-)
ReplyDeleteWish I could say it was the wine, but I only just began drinking it at...9:24pm :D
You've heard this from me on AW, but good luck!!! I'm sending good vibes your way!
ReplyDeletethanks, Hayley!!!!!!!!!! I could never hear good luck enough :-)
ReplyDeleteGood luck, chica. The first bit of querying is always the worst. You'll be a pro in no time.
ReplyDeleteAwww...thanks Sage! Wishing it right back at ya, babe :D
ReplyDelete