About thirty years ago, the city of Hurghada on the Red Sea was just a fishing village with a small airstrip used by the air force, a few military barracks, and roaming goat herds. Then someone figured out that the tourists who flocked to the pyramids and the Valley of the Kings could be lured to the Red Sea if only there were some hotels and diving centers there. Hurghada now boasts a population of 150,000 with hundreds of hotels, resorts, dive centers, shops, and restaurants. One of the newest additions is the Marina.
Along a quarter-mile street, a row of buildings with apartments above and shops, bars and restaurants below have gone up opposite a newly built marina with docking facilities for a hundred or so sailboats and powerboats.
There are some nice yachts, too. Considering
that Egypt's rather poor, I often wonder where the yachts come
from. The smaller ones have port cities listed on their sterns from everywhere from
Johannesburg to Florida. Further out on a man-made dock are even bigger ones with 4-5 levels. I wonder where they come from. Saudi Arabia? Kuwait? They sure are beautiful, and the marina is a nice (if expensive) place to visit and spend the evening.
It's the first Wednesday in the month. Time for the Insecure Writer's Support Group post!
Hmm... What am I insecure about this month? Could it be because rejections are glaring at me from my Inbox? Or that I can't decide on a new project? Or that I worry that if I eat any more chocolate-comfort food I may explode?
All of the above. This publishing stuff is hard. I need some support, guys. Comment away!
57 comments:
I've never had anything published but I spent years trying to get agents and publishers interested in my work. Today I just write what pleases me and I'm much happier as a writer than I've ever been before.
The title of your post caught my eye because one of my friend dives in Hurghada quite regularly!
Ahh, writing insecurities that attack you all at once really suck! All I can say is that you just have to keep on trying, but maybe put a little less pressure on yourself. Once you ease the pressure, everything flows better. :D
Love the pictures of Hurghada, the colors of the marina against the blue of the sea is a nice contrast. As for the rejections well, at the moment I wouldn't mind rejections because it would mean that I at least have a finished product. I guess all I can say is head up Lexa and keep trying. You know we all go through the rejection phase and it sucks. Try taking some time out to do something different, something fun and you never know, with a relaxed mind an idea for a new project may pop up. I'll keep my fingers crossed for ya, now pass the chocolate please. (:
Diving in the Red Sea sounds fascinating. My husband dives. I only snorkel. How's the snorkeling there?
As for rejections, they get you down. No doubt about it. They leech away your self-confidence and steal your creative energy. But fight against it, Lexa. You can't get the one that isn't a rejection unless you keep submitting and keep writing. It wasn't long ago that I was where you are and feeling the same way. It gets better!
(But rejections never stop hurting, and they don't go away even after you are represented and published.)
Rejections are character building, and the next project is just around the corner. I'm sure that by next week you'll be wondering what you were worrying about! Keep up the good work!
Yes. It is. Even when you're publishing yourself. But it makes us all the stronger.
Hugs and chocolate,
Shelly
Sometimes I dislike change. If I lived in Hurghada before the hotels and suddenly all these visitors showed up... well, I'd be depressed. I wouldn't want to share my paradise. LOL. I live on a lake and on July long weekend I feel like yelling out to all the summer people, "Okay, enough already. Go home!"
Happy IWSG, Lexa.
Hi Lexa
Yes, I know about those rejection letters. Once I even had an interview with an editor who kept asking how long I'd been a member of a writers group and so why wasn't I published yet. I finally self published. About six months after I did that, publishers came out with 'New Age,' category for characters that were twenty something and the authors voice was YA. That's me, but I won't go back to the old slush pile again. Now to find readers.
Be encouraged.
Nancy
Oh goodness. I personally just work on taking my case straight to the people. I don't even attempt to get anything I write published. Just put it right out there so the people can read it. Power to the people, right on!
Hurghada Marina is beautiful! I love the different color buildings!
And publishing is tough. If it wasn't, then everyone would do it. Keep submitting. Most of the time it is just about finding the right audience. :)
Those yachts are lovely. I live a town away from a luxury yacht manufacturer, so I'm often found just gazing at beautiful boats in the marina. I've very taken by a lovely black one at the moment.
Put all the rejections in their own folder and ignore them, unless they make useful suggestions. And no, chocolate is fine, it has no calories whatsoever, in fact it's medicinal :-)
Hurghada looks gorgeous! One day I will definitely get there.
Rejection sucks, but it won't kill you. And it's an unfortunate part of the process. But remember, if you're getting rejected, it's because you not only finished a book, but you're brave enough to send it out into the world. And that's something to be proud of.
Oh Lexa, I know how you feel. No matter what you do, keep writing and reading. Just write something for fun that isn't "publishable." Reignite your fire for why you write. You can do it!
Ah, babe! You're my twin. This past summer, I've had a steady drip of form responses from agents and it feels like the very picosecond I quit doing yoga my jeans don't slide on as smoothly! Buck up, my dear. You're not alone!
Thanks for sharing about Hurghada! And hang in there and keep writing/sending out queries! Finding contests to enter is a great way to stay excited and motivated :)
Never give up no matter how many rejections you receive. Have the uttermost faith in yourself and continue to write to the best of your ability.
I'm here for you, Lexa. I'm part of IWSG, too so all I can say, we're all here for you in the blogosphere. Nice to meet you, by the way! *shake hands*
R's stink, but in the scheme of things, they help us to work even harder.
Keep writing! ^_^
Those pictures are beautiful, but it does make me a little sad thinking of that fishing village trampled by the lure of tourist dollars.
Too much chocolate comfort food? No way! There's never enough! Sorry to hear about the rejections, but use it to fuel your fire for the next project. And if you can't decide on one - flip a coin. If you feel good about what comes up, then get started. If you have the urge to say, "Best two out of three," then you know which one you were really leaning toward. It usually works for me. That's how I make most life decisions. :-)
I hope you hang in there and get published some day! Publishing is super hard, but the ones that persevere are the ones who succeed. Keep a good attitude. ;)
Those pics of Egypt are beautiful even though it's sad to hear that the area has grown so much. I hate growth!
Anyway, don't give up! The best of the best have been rejected at one point or another. I would take them at face value and keep going. It's just the wrong person reading it.
I've tested the theory about exploding if you eat too much chocolate. Nope doesn't happen... so feel free to eat more chocolate. It's good for the poor rejected soul. And once you've finished that chocolate, go send out another query. That's good for the poor writing soul.
I LOVE the photos.
Publishing is so difficult isn't it?? Rest assured we are all right there with you! No matter what stage you're at!
It is amazing how much an area can change in 30 years! Wow! It does look beautiful and imagine the story that could be written about one of the yacht owners or workers!
Don't feel bad about all the chocolate. I have consumed massive amounts and lived to tell the tale! Remember that everyone gets rejected and don't let it get you down. :)
~Jess
I completely agree; publishing is a very hard business. The only thing I'll say about those rejections is that each one brings you closer to acceptance and the famous happy dance. I'm still looking forward to that day...
Love the pics and wow, that does look like a pretty town to visit; the ocean is such an amazing shade of blue!
and thanks for coming by and offering Mark your suggestions :)
Rejection is the toughest part of this business and all of the waiting. I agree with MsHatch. Each no is bringing you one step closer to your yes.
That marina is pretty!
Don't give up on the query letters! As long as you feel you have written the best you can, keep trying!
The marina is really beautiful! And it's like I said on my blog. The best way to look at it is, the harder this is, the more rewarding it's going to be when it finally happens. And it will, as long as we keep trying. :)
Keep plugging away at the queries, Lex. Eventually the right agent will read your manuscript and you will move forward with publication. Your hard work will pay off!
I don't recall reading any documented cases of anyone exploding from eating chocolate so I think you're in the clear. =) I hope it's good chocolate you're feasting on. Hang in there with the rejections- there are so many authors out there who received a number of rejections before they got published.
The marina looks so beautiful... Do a lot of tourists go there?
Don't let rejections get you down, though it's hard... It just takes time unfortunately, but the perfect agent / publisher you want to work with just hasn't responded to you yet:) You're story is fantastic, so hang in there.
Keep plugging away and you'll get that yes. It'll happen.
Beautiful pictures.
Beautiful pictures!
Sorry about the rejections. They don't ever really go away. Everyone has rejection, whether by an agent, an editor, or a reader. We write because we love it. And I agree with Medeia. You will get that acceptance. Put down the chocolate and write. :)
Don't you know? Chocolate is good for you. I just repeat that over and over in my head when I stuff my face with candy :) It helps fuel creativity too, I swear.
Hi, Lexa,
I know EXACTLY how you feel.... Loved the litter box comment.... Throwing confetti rejects now. LOL.
Hang in there, we are ALL in the same boat. Take comfort in knowing you are not alone. We are here for you and the journey is less lonely with all our blogger friends around us.
i just told ink in the book the same thing - writing is a mass of failures kicking our butts to improve until we are ready to be published. its the perseverent who get the book deals =) keep going! we're in it together!
Those pictures are beautiful! I was lucky enough to visit Egypt--a long cherished dream of mine--some twelve years ago. I was a poor young girl from Mexico who had sold her only possession, her car, to go work in Canada and live an adventure. It was a tough but rewarding experience that I closed with that trip to Egypt, so I couldn't visit many places outside the typical Pyramids and temples. I now dream of taking my husband and two girls to see all the wonders the country has to offer, and to visit new routs I couldn't see before. Thanks for opening my eyes to yet another awesome place to visit!
Don't let rejection slips deter you! Writing is indeed a very tough business but, by persevering, we are being tougher and there's only space for strong people in the world. There's always light at the end of the tunnel. =)
Good luck!
Hi Lexa, Egypt is my most favorite place, I am fascinated with the pharaohs and the pyramids especially since an old gipsy woman told me that, in a previous life, I used to be an Egyptian queen :))).
I've received this week about 6 rejections, one about the length of the story, another about being too fantasy and so on...But I always remember that J.K. Rowling was rejected 124 times for her first book and...I calm down :)> Good luck lovely and fascinating Lexa.
Those are really beautiful pictures....
I've come across one or two other posts about querying/rejections... it sounds nerve-wracking. *sigh*
You're fabulous and I'm sending over a brownie, with nuts, cause it aint a brownie without nuts.
I haven't had anything published nor even had anything to submit yet. I can imagine what it must feel like to have your work rejected. It would probably be like someone telling me my baby isn't cute at all, except with harsher words. Because that's what our work is--our baby. I have so much admiration that you are at the submitting stage. Nope, it's definitely not fun to say the least, but you are so much farther along than you might think!
Your photos are gorgeous~ I think you have to pat yourself on the back on all you have done and look forward. What is attracting your attention?! Write about a photographer..maybe she sees a crime in her photos taking place. ?! Hang in there, you are not alone!
I've seen Hurghada in brochures. It's BEAUTIFUL! Hope to visit one day. :)
Ow..*hugs* Sorry for those letters. Rejection letters suck. Please don't give up.True, writing stuff is hard, but don't let it dampen your passion for writing. Keep sending, write, read, send again. It will work out. :)
And your photos are beautiful as well. :) thanks for sharing.
Dear Lexi, Hi I just wanted to drop in. I'm Tina part Writing.Com members. I just wanted to say hi. Seen that you checked out Sharra http://karenriggin.com/my-blog.html Just wanted to stop in. Thought that was really cool of you to do that! Anyhow, the insecure supporter writers group looks really awesome! Your blog is also very elegant and an awesome link. Have a great day and thanks for all that you do at WDC as a Moderator. :)
Your photos are gorgeous, it is a truly beautiful place.
I'm sorry that you have rejections in your inbox. Take any feedback they offer and use what you can. Keep moving forward, the right match is out there for you.
HERE! Have some SUPPORT!You'll get through this, because you're GOING TO BE PUBLISHED ONE DAY. Hold on to that!
In a weird way, I like rejections. It means I actually did something. I keep all mine--someday I'll paper a wall with them, then put my printed book right in the middle, on a display shelf.
Just kidding. Maybe.
Lauren
Stay positive!!! It's going to happen, it just takes time. :)
In response to the response you left on my blog...no, I certainly don't see you being the first to go BOOM, as our universe is full of chocoholics. But this could be an interesting story prompt...LOL!
I've heard story after story of successful authors who receive upteen rejections. It only takes on acceptance (even if it's your own and you self-publish). Hang in there. (Gorgeous pics, by the way.)
Should have been "one acceptance" not on. Typing too fast while balancing the laptop on my lap in bed! ;-)
Aww Lexa! I feel for you. Darn rejections!!! I agree with the above comments that the fact you're receiving them means your further in the process than so many others. (I have a friend who writes and writes but is so nervous about getting rejected that she rarely ever submits. And then when she DOES get a rejection -- it's that much more painful I think.) I love reading stories about writers who've submitted to agent after agent over the years (one of my friends was up in the 200s rejection range for 1 book), and then get accepted. I truly believe it's those individuals who persevere and hone their craft and learn about the business and, at the end of the day, write for the love of it, that will reach that light at the end of their publishing tunnel. :0) You can do it. I'm rooting for you, dear!
And thanks for the lovely pics. They gave me a little bit of vacation in the midst of my morning.
:0)
It's funny, the marina looks just like the one in my hometown, Brighton, give or take the odd palm tree. It's also been recently done up with shops and restaurants. Hopefully it is doing something for the economy.
It's good that you're putting yourself out there to be rejected. I can only echo others in that they sting less if it's really something that's just part of routine. If you get one with personalised feedback, treat it as a rare gem. You'll get there! I also agree that starting a new book feels daunting if you don't know what to go with, but what about writing some short stories? Less of a time commitment, and you might even find one of them leads on to something bigger... Just try and keep busy! Best of luck! :)
The publishing stuff can be hard. BUT keep at it. The best advice from published writers is "Don't Give Up!" If you keep writing and keep writing, eventually you will get there!
Wow it looks gorgeous!! Can I come visit?? ;)
I know how you feel with the daunting rejections. It really is hard, no matter how long you've been at it, it always stings a little. what helps me is remembering that not every story is for everybody. There are so many decent books and films out there that dont interest me at all. I try to keep that in mind when I receive rejections. The market is saturated enough that agents/editors can be uber picky. And they are.
Blogger is really giving me hard time with ytour site today. so forgive the typeos. But tghanks for always checking in on my query project. I've got a couple more rejections to add to it. :(
Those pics look amazing. I need a vacation!
It sucks to have rejections mocking you. I can't sugarcoat that. But I try to look at mine as evidence that I am really trying something that many people say they want to do but never achieve. So even if it doesn't work out the way I want (yet), I feel good for trying.
When I get a rejection, I remind myself of Gone With the Wind, Stephen King, and all the other authors that received them too, and I try again.
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