I thought it'd be easier to draw out my frustrations and anxiety. Thanks everyone for stopping in and commenting. And thank you Alex for hosting, and to Nancy Thompson, Mark Koopmans, and Heather Gardner for co-hosting another great IWSG hop. (:
For those of you who may not know, Matthew is a writer and blogger over at The Quintessentially Questionable Query Experiment (QQQE). Matthew regularly takes queries in progress and critiques them on his blog. He does an amazing job at analyzing each query and offering suggestions to strengthen them. In addition, many of his commenters also contribute to the critique by giving excellent advice as well. I highly suggest you check out Matthew's blog, just not this week . . . that is unless, you want to see how NOT to write a query. :P
That's how you make it better - by letting someone help!
ReplyDeleteI'm sending you a big can of bug spray. Or a bigger shoe.
Love it, Elise!
ReplyDeleteAh, the ever present Doubting Roach...no matter how many times we smash it, it keeps coming back for more.
You're right in that we shouldn't ignore our insecurities, but we shouldn't let them rule our writing lives, either.
Keep smashing that roach, though, because he obviously doesn't know just how cool you are!
I guess they don't celebrate Independence Day over in France, but have a great Fourth just the same :D
Love your drawings. Take a break and watch some tennis and let somebody else feel stress and tension (you need a Pimms to go with it) oh and some strawberries and cream, sunshine is optional!
ReplyDeleteMeans nothing to me - yes, I'm a heathen - I just love the cartoon strip :)
ReplyDeleteI bet it's wonderful. And if not, you'll make it so. Sometimes we need a fresh set of eyes and an objective perspective. No shame in that. ;)
ReplyDeleteGreat post! :)
IWSG #118 until Alex culls the list again.
Matt is good. I'll read a query and think, that's pretty good and then go back and read his suggestions and feel so dumb that I didn't think of them.
ReplyDeleteSquash it!
ReplyDeleteWe are always our own worst critics. I just finished a new query as well and I love it. However, every other hour I'm still questioning whether or not it's any good and kicking myself. I have a quote on my calendar this month that makes me feel psychic since I picked these quotes out last December. "A man would do nothing if he waited until he could do it so well that no one would find fault with what he has done." (some guy named Cardinal Newman)
I am harder on myself then anyone could be on me, unless of course they push me down and tell me I suck. I'm not that bad on myself. My query went from bad to not as bad because I got help.
ReplyDeleteSquash 'em, I say. Over and over and over!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the wonderful morning of laughter at insecurity. I need that.
Good squishing! I keep looking at that last frame and, boy!. . .talking about satisfaction.
ReplyDeleteGood thing that there's Mark and many other places to get help on those queries. We all need it :)
I'm sure your query letter is quite good! Love the squash there--just perfect! I'll look forward to seeing you over on QQQE :)
ReplyDeleteSometimes you have to squash those naysayers. Will check at the QQQE.
ReplyDeleteMatt and the QQQE are awesome. He always manages to help someone make their query better AND in a nice way.
ReplyDeleteThat gave me the laugh I needed! Way to smash insecurity! :)
ReplyDeleteSmash those insecurities I say. It is brave to seek feedback from others and hopefully it can move our work forward. (Still terrifies me though!).
ReplyDeleteWe all need help at some point or another and that's the way our writing gets better, with critiques. Loved your convo and shutting up the voice of insecurity.
ReplyDeletewhat kind of insect was that?
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you smashed that roach! I admire you for putting your query out there, that alone is so hard to do!
ReplyDeleteEvery query starts somewhere and pretty much every author starts with a query. Good luck.
ReplyDeleteLove this, Elise. You could give Jim Davis a run for his money. :)
ReplyDeleteI love this post. I think every writer has their own irritating insecurity roach! :P
ReplyDeleteI think I'm going to take lessons on squashing insecurities with you. You certain have style on doing it! Dragon hugs!
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure what I love more - your post or your tags. I would be on pins and needles waiting. Good luck and kudos to you for doing it!!
ReplyDeleteElsie
Elise, I think you are BRAVE to put your query out there. It may be frightening, but it needs to be done.
ReplyDeleteGo girl! You rock!
Squash the little critter! (Even though he has nine lives... and will return... again and again...)
Get a massive can of OFF for that stinking bug :D
ReplyDeleteYou're taking the steps to improve yourself. No one can knock that down. Just remember that you're only going to get better and that bug is going to perish :)
Oh I'm just so full of admiration at your bravery and courage to take a step you know will help you improve. I wanna be you when I grow up.
ReplyDeleteokay, i have to see it now! it cant be that bad!!
ReplyDeletekeep at it!
I doubt it's as awful as you think. I like how you squashed the bug. It's what we have to do. Yes?
ReplyDeleteHave to let someone have a look to make it better, lets hope they don't call you a twit lol
ReplyDeleteFirst we had Mini-Alex and now we have "The Doubting Roach!"
ReplyDeleteClassic :)
PS... stop being a big gurl's blouse :)
Your writing is bloody great :)
Deep breath... write... exhale... open bottle of GM... and repeat as needed :)
Matt's great at critiquing. Best of luck Elise and keep squashing that bug.
ReplyDeleteYou draw comics! This is fabulous and hilarious! And, good luck with your query, although, who needs a query when you can draw web comics. ;p
ReplyDeleteWhen does it go up?? I want to make sure I don't miss it! :)
ReplyDeleteYou can't improve unless you're willing to learn, and part of that is putting your work out there and getting help on improving it. I'm usually a fan of cute grasshoppers, but that one needed to get squished! :-)
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh. This post is epic! Well done with the drawings and the content, too!
ReplyDeleteLove the post and the format, but I'm pretty sure my query is the worst ever written in the history of query letters.
ReplyDeleteBut good job squashing that bug. I hope to learn from your fine example.
i would love to but now you got me all scared!!!!
ReplyDeleteGotta start somewhere, right?
ReplyDeleteGreat post! Especially the squashing part.
ReplyDeleteThat poor bug. But you're right, no matter how many times you squash him. ;-) Best of luck on the query!
ReplyDeleteHi Elise,
ReplyDeletePlease, I'm begging you, forgive for my lateness in one my um cherished comments. So much to do. So little time. So, at gone two in the morning, I'm finally here. Yay! :)
Thanks again for being part of "IWSG" aka "I Was Seeking Gary". I'm flattered to keep getting mentioned :)
Elise, remember, you write with the passion that beats in the heart of all brilliant writers. Don't let anything bug you!
I'm going now....
Gary :)
i wear size twelve cowboy boots, lemme squish im! ;)
ReplyDeleteHi Elise .. great fun to read .. especially with Alex' comments as number one commenter! I need to borrow laughingwolf's cowboy boots for next weekend's barn dance - ?!
ReplyDeleteCheers and keep going ... Hilary
Oh Elise! You are so funny and dear at the same time!!!!
ReplyDeleteOne thing I've learned is that we *have* to let go of being afraid--to just take that chance, put it out there, and see what happens. Otherwise, you're right, we don't grow. We don't progress. You're doing exactly what you need to be doing. I remember last summer I did the Christmas in July thing--I was SO EMBARRASSED. Not a single agent picked my entry. And my name was attached to it so everyone knew it was me. It was awful! But then I ended up having a ton of success later with the same query, so it's so funny how things work! Anyway, I've gone off on a tangent now! You're going to rock this query and everyone loves and supports you. Seriously. <3
Awww...it hurts me to see your frustration, Elise! I'm glad you're able to share your hardships with the likeminded though. Talking about your issues is a great way to begin to resolve them. Bust of luck to you, sending <3s your way!!!
ReplyDeleteSo glad you are putting your query out there to get help. There's something so unnatural about query writing, so the more help you can get with it the better. Hugs!!
ReplyDeleteI'm just a few places behind you for Matt's critique. I get it. Just breathe - you've already done the hardest part :)
ReplyDeleteOkay I just read the query and I'm glad you squashed your insecurities (literally) and asked Matt to post it. I went through the same terrifying process a month or so ago, and it was well worth it. I'm new to IWSG but not because I don't have insecurities to share, hah!
ReplyDelete