Tag Archives: fiction

Jun7

Time to quit your publishing pursuits? 12 questions to ponder

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In 2007, Pulitzer Prize winning author Annie Dillard told NPR listeners, “I’m here to tell you that I’m retiring. I woke up one morning, went to my desk, and realized I’ve done everything I set out to do as a writer, and the writer label does not define me, and I have more life to live, but I am done because I did my work on my terms.”

Does Dillard’s declaration stir something in you? Inspiration? Exhilaration like a zing of electricity? A soul-satisfying exhale?

Maybe it’s time to quit.

And by “quit,” I mean . . .

Before we move on, my little lemon drops, let me define “quit.” I’m talking about letting go of your pursuit of publication. No more queries. No more proposals. No more stalking agents. No more pouring over every issue of PW. (And no, I’m not talking about never writing again. Yikes. Writers, by definition, have to write. It’s a given you won’t give that up.)

Queries about quitting. (You can be totally honest. You’ll be grading your own paper.)

  1. Has my passion to be published–needing validation from the publishing industry, reviewers, readers–changed/diminished since I first began my pursuit?
  2. Do I neeeed to be published to be happy?
  3. Am I persisting in my pursuit solely because it pleases someone else or out of fear of displeasing them?
  4. Does the thought of setting my pursuit aside make me feel lighter, maybe even a little excited? (If it makes you feel full-on giddy, go ahead and quit already!)
  5. Can I be satisfied with writing for my own pleasure and/or with helping others improve their writing?
  6. Is my pursuit of publication keeping me from a new passion?
  7. Do I want to invest my creative energies doing something wholly apart from writing? What might that be?
  8. Would I see my decision as a liberation rather than a resignation?
  9. How about a 6-month or 12-month “hiatus” from my publishing pursuits versus a full stop retirement?
  10. Am I comfortable with not knowing what might have been?
  11. What will my new dream be? How and when will I begin?
  12. How will I see myself on the other side of my decision to quit?

Next steps

  • Take your time and ponder. Seep into a head-to-toe mull.
  • Journal over your responses to the 12 questions.
  • Reach out to a friend who can listen while you deliberate. And remember, I’m always here too.

The purpose of my post is not to discourage you from pursuing publishing. Honest. No one’s pushing you. (Go ahead. Look behind you. See?) I’m offering you the freedom to let go, if that’s what you really want to do. And, you should know I (and many others, I’m sure) will never quit admiring you and valuing you. Heck, some will even envy you.

Success does not lie in sticking to things. It lies in picking the right thing to stick to and quitting the rest. ~ Annie Duke, Quit: The Power of Knowing When to Walk Away

Jan28

29 random thoughts in the months before to my debut (in no particular order)

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Collage by Vicky Lorencen

In January 2025, my very first children’s book will be hurled into the world: THE BIG BOOK OF BARF – A Spewnami of Sick Science, Hurled History and Body Oddities in Ralphabetical Order. My publisher is Bright Matter, a non-fiction imprint of Random House Books for Children. Woo hoo!!

Day after day, my noggin is rumbling with random thoughts like these:

  1. Seriously? I’m going to be a 62 year old debut author! How? WHAT?!!
  2. Got to start a list of all of the people I want to thank for encouraging me all these years (and years and years). That’s going to be a long list.
  3. This is real. Like for reals real. It’s actually happening. Maybe it’s finally safe to celebrate.
  4. Publishing is one random, subjective business.
  5. It’s true. Preparation pays off.
  6. Got to find a way to express my gratitude to my family in a tangible way.
  7. Wish I could reconnect with my teachers from across the years who recognized, challenged and championed my abilities.
  8. I’m finally going to have my very own ISBN!!!
  9. So glad I went to that SCBWI-MI workshop in March 2020 to learn how to create a non-fiction book proposal. I followed the “recipe” and it worked!
  10. Presenting at the elementary school where I was a student and my kids went to school will be surreal.
  11. Never ever thought I’d write a whole book about barf, but the whole process was a joy.
  12. I need to come up with a snappy comeback for when kids inevitably ask, “How old are you?”
  13. Better get noodling on my next non-fiction project and perfecting a new proposal.
  14. Wondering if I’ll get to do a dedication page. What’ll I say?
  15. Can’t believe this book was sparked by a serendipitous, random comment during an ordinary conversation. Magic!
  16. Is it too self-centered to worry that commotion over the presidential election will interfere with my debut. (Uh. Probably!)
  17. What if my publisher goes belly up before my book comes out?
  18. Please oh please do not ask me to write a second book (an “eek”quel to THE BIG BOOK OF BARF) about #2. (I poo poo that idea!} Love non-fiction, but not that!
  19. Chuckling over the thought of my obituary. “Children’s author Vicky Lorencen will be remembered for THE BIG BOOK OF BARF.” I love the thought of making people laugh even after I’m gone.
  20. I am going to hear a ‘hurl” lot of barf stories.
  21. My name is about to change to Children’s Author Vicky Lorencen. I sure like the sound of that.
  22. Wonder how I’ll react when I hold my book for the first time.
  23. Can’t wait to do school visits. (First, I need to get tips from all my friends who are pros.) It also reminds me of #16.
  24. I need to get in better shape so I’ll have energy to enjoy what’s ahead.
  25. No way am I going to become a self-absorbed ninny once book comes out. I hope. (See 17 Things I Want to Remember Not to Forget After I’m Published.)
  26. Hoping kids will really, really, really like my book. Yes, really.
  27. Wouldn’t it be cool if my success encourages another writer who is still in the “waiting room.”
  28. It’s so weird how this feels inevitable. Why or how, I don’t know, but it does.
  29. Sure this sounds crazy, but I fantasize about speaking at the SCBWI winter conference in NY and wonder what song to I want playing as I approach the podium. (No point waiting till the last minute–or for an invitation to speak.)

BONUS! Everyone who entered Frog on a Dime’s 11th Birthday Giveaway can look forward to receiving a very special surprise in February. Thank you so much for your patience and encouragement!

So be sure when you step, Step with care and great tact. And remember that life’s A Great Balancing Act. And will you succeed? Yes! You will, indeed! (98 and ¾ percent guaranteed) Kid, you’ll move mountains. ~ Dr. Seuss