Thursday, June 03, 2010

Thought of the Day

If you read an agent’s blog regularly, any agent’s blog, and have ever, even once, read a post that gave you a mild case of anxiety, fear that you might have screwed up, you didn’t. Just the fact that you had that fear means you’re probably doing everything right, or close to right.

Jessica

28 comments:

Rehman said...

Hi!

I liked your blog. You are lucky! You are free to write, speak and publish. But in Pakistan the situation is opposit!

Habib R. Sulemani is a Pakistani journalist who also writes poetry and fiction. His novel, The Terrorland, on which he has been working for years, has enraged the powerful establishment.

After attempts on his life, he is
locked inside his home in Rawalpindi since March 29, 2010. Neither the government nor his employers have done anything so far despite requests for providing him and his family members security.

In a letter to global leaders, human rights, journalistic and literary organizations, Mr. Sulemani writes: “Freedom of thought and expression
is still a slogan in our part of the world. If the Pakistani,
American, British and allied governments, partners in fighting global terrorism, want to win the war, then they must address intellectual terrorism first.”

For details plz click: http://theterrorland.blogspot.com

Regards,

Anonymous said...
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Anonymous said...

awesome thought of the day! what a booster- thank-you for the warm fuzzies! :)

Jane Lebak said...

Even the time I queried an agent with a title so awful that the agent wrote me a one-page email explaining why the title was bad and what I should do to pick a decent title?

And then two days later, posted the "how to create a title" parts of that same email on her weblog headed with, "Authors, I notice some of you put bad titles on your work"?

*sigh*

Martina Boone said...

There's learning curve. Even if it's through a moment of realizing you made an embarrassing mistake, at least you stay open-minded in the process. I've been there, and I'm sure I'll be there at some point in the future!

Marissa

Vicki Rocho said...

It's like parenting. A truly despicable parent (ie truly hopeless writer) doesn't care whether he or she is doing it right.

Worrying about it means you care which is more than half the battle.

steeleweed said...

Wisdom and skill come from making mistakes - but only if you learn from them.

"Personally I'm always ready to learn, although I do not always like being taught." - Winston Churhill

Creepy Query Girl said...

I think if you follow any or multiple agent blogs, the chances of screwing up go down quite a bit. And not all agents will get miffed by the same errors either.

Unknown said...

Thanks for that encouraging thought--it's a good start to the day.

Chicki Brown said...

Bless you! That was right on time.

Jill Wheeler said...

That's good to know!

Kimber Li said...

Beautifully stated.

No one's perfect, of course, and I hope agents and editors realize it. Seems like they do.

Carolynnwith2Ns said...
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Anonymous said...

: )

Anonymous said...

Now that was really sweet. Thank you for that.

Robena Grant said...

Whew! Thanks.

T.J. said...

Always a boost to know I'm doing something right.

Tricia said...

Jessica, thanks a lot for the post. There have been so many times I've read a post and thought oh I wished I'd know that sooner or thought I was done polishing a project until my eyes were opened to something I should/shouldn't do.

Kristin Laughtin said...

Thanks for reassuring us. This applies to all things, I would think. If you're worried you're doing it wrong, then you'll want to fix it. If you're not worried, then you might just be ignorant of your mistakes, and that will cost you.

Nichole Giles said...

Hm. I hope you're right about that, since I have heaps and tons of fear these days. Thanks for the encouragement.

Kristi said...

Yes! Finally...something I did right! :-)

Stephanie said...

Thanks for that....I think we all needed to hear it!!!

Lisa_Gibson said...

Good to know. Thanks!

ryan field said...

Ha! Good post.

Christopher Francis said...

I hope I'm doing everything right, or close to it. I'm still trying to find an agent out there, but your words certainly bring some hope.

Randine said...

Thank you for the much needed encouragement!!

Mira said...

Aw, this is a sweet, encouraging and kind post.

Thanks, Jessica. :)

arbraun said...

That's good to know.