Onward & Yonward

I feel better when I’m moving forward. It doesn’t have to be much, even baby steps in what I think is the right direction gives me complete satisfaction. Sitting and waiting I can survive. Not a big problem. But when I have a perceived set-back, no matter how small to someone else, I stumble into a mini-depression that haunts me until I get distracted by something worse or until something good happens elsewhere in my life.

But last week, I had two “setbacks” in one morning.

1. I was not recognized as a Winner OR an Honorable Mention in the Fall Writing Frenzy. Normally this wouldn’t have been an issue, but this really stung because I’d kind of had it in my head that I could possibly win. Mostly because I’d received a lot of positive feedback from my entry and I truly believed in it.
2. In an effort to move on from the loss of the contest, I got to work and was confirming some formatting things using google. That’s when i discovered a website… What’s so terrible about that? Well, I was awestruck that I’d never once stumbled upon this site before. I felt like, “Seriously, i could have benefited from this, I don’t know, about FOUR MONTHS AGO!” It just plays into my feelings about the state of the writing world and how it can sometimes feel secretive.

I was just so frustrated. It felt like the universe was choosing to slowly release information to me at it’s leisure, like I’m actually not in control whatsoever. I felt slighted while also being annoyed with myself for not knowing about it sooner. Allow me to spare you of these feelings…

Here’s the site: Good Story Company And its partner: Kidlit

However, these painful feelings and hurts pushed me into taking a HUGE step forward. A move in a positive direction. And now, I couldn’t be happier about it!

A little backstory: I’ve actually written six manuscripts in total. Four of them I’ve queried at least one round. But my most recent story, let’s call it GG cause I want to be secretive, but also want to talk about it some, is the one I’m presently most proud to have written. So last week, in the heat of my depression, I took a leap and hired a professional editor to “confirm” that GG was as good/interesting as I’d hoped it was.

I feel that I did, in fact, get that confirmation!

The editor got back to me very swiftly and had so many positive and complimentary comments. She suggested a few things, which I put into action, and I think now the story has grown to an even stronger piece. All of this happened because I found Good Story Company. It was a FANTASTIC experience and have zero regrets taking that leap!

In the meantime, I’m working toward getting into a critique group with my local SCBWI members and am in the market for a Beta Reader. All of these things, I’m discovering, are essential in the “getting published” process.

Featured image is my festive little writing nook at the dining table…headline is one of my favorite lines from Nature Cat – Tally-Ho!!!