In the Query Trenches

By Jolene Perry

As writers, we've either been there, going to be there, or we're there right now.

I'm there right now and thank goodness I'm not doing it alone.

I have no writers that I meet with face to face. I'm in Wasilla, Alaska. It's not a big town. But I have this amazing online community who's been so supportive in sharing both the ups and downs of the query process.

A good friend just signed with an agent around Christmastime - after getting stacks and stacks of rejections. Suddenly she had four offers, from four good agents.

Another friend is querying right now. With me. We compare notes every few days and both hit the refresh button too many times when we check our email... just in case.

As we continue to stack rejections, we're also reveling in the small victory of a few agents asking for partials... and fulls.

Will it be better or worse getting rejected at this point?

I don't know.

Is there a way to set it aside and worry less?

I'm sure there is.

This is one of those times when you have to be careful about what you pray for. Praying for patience may just bring me even more opportunities to use the small amounts of patience that I do possess.

I do know (like everything else in life) it's about finding perspective.

Does it matter?

How important is it really to have a book on a shelf?

How much is my stress really helping me?

I'll let you know when I figure it out.

I promise to commiserate with you when you're in my position and then celebrate with you when you hit your goal - whatever your writing goal might be.