A snowboarding college student, an aspiring writer. This could be fun.

You got the right stuff, baby!

It has been so much fun to write BRIDGER.  It was even fun to write, rewrite, delete the entire thing, rewrite, then click “send” on the queries I e-mail out.  Now as I wait for the proverbial “I would love to read your manuscript!” I find myself convulsively checking my email on my phone (Verizon might have let one get through the cracks, you know?) and hoping to get that “Yes!”

Jessie Harrell commented on Twitter today, and I had to laugh because her comment was spot on.  She said that when you receive a rejection, part of you thinks “I know this is good enough…” and then you get the request for a partial/full and you think, “Oh crap, this isn’t good enough!”  I’ve been there.  I’ve been thinking that a lot lately.  I’ve gotten rejections, but I’ve been okay with it.  Thankfully growing up I developed (much to my detriment many would say) a thick skin and a ridiculous, stubborn personality.  Tell me I’m not good enough.  I’ll go back to the drawing board and make it better!  I enjoy the challenge, and this, my friends, is a challenge.  Be the best writer you can be.  Write a book that agents can’t put down.  I’m up for it.  :)

As for the “Oh, crap,” part: I’m there right now.  :)  My baby is out to a few different agents and every day I am editing the MS just to make sure it’s perfect…again.  And again.  And again.

I'll need a wig soon, thanks.

And then I think to myself: “Megan, you fool, who the heck is going to like this?  Are you serious?”  Which is about the time I convulsively check my email one more time.

Forget the fact that my mom liked the book.  She lies.  All moms lie.  They have to – they’re your MOM, for crying out loud!  Of course they’re going to lie.  Just like when you brought home that horrible, horrible finger painting that was supposed to be her, but it looked like the dog instead?  Yeah, that one.  It stayed on the fridge forever, just like a Picasso painting.  I’m pretty sure moms like anything their kids do.  It’s genetically engrained in there.  For that reason, I’m holding out for a less biased opinion.  ;)

Now for suggestions from an unknown author.  You know you want ‘em (act like you do…okay maybe don’t.).  What do I do now that I’m in the wait until you pull your hair out because you’re so anxious to hear something phase?  Here’s so suggestions from one unknown to another:

-Start a blog (It’s got to better than this one!)
-Have you made a website?  Try it out!
-Start writing another MS
-Join #YALitChat and meet awesome people
-Get a hobby (like you have time with all that worrying to do, right?)

Am I crazy?  Maybe.  But, I’m pretty sure I’m not alone in this query madness.  This is so much fun, don’t get me wrong.  Maybe I’m masochistic for saying that.  I’ve always been a little odd.  However, life is an adventure.  This portion of my adventure is so rewarding.  Every time I get a request for a partial or full, I’m a little closer to finding the right agent.  A little closer to submitting my work to publishers.  A little closer to needing a wig from sending my MS to another agent to review.  Waiting is oh so evil.  It hurts my roots.

I think this one would go with my eyes.

You know what?  As much as people say they hate the querying process (and I do, I promise), I think it’s good.  We appreciate the small successes.  We encourage one another through it.  I have found some really neat people through this and I am thankful I decided to write BRIDGER.  This is a great experience, and I’m sure it will continue to be amazing in the future.

Now excuse me while I go buy a wig.