It’s confession time again. Remember the turtle shell mode I referenced in my post on sadness? Time to let you in on a little secret: I also hide underneath my turtle shell when I first start pursuing really big, scary, hairy goals. When a dream is so big I can barely wrap my brain around it, I don’t tell many people I’m working on it at first. I quietly make a plan, live the ups and downs as a “lone ranger,” then I poke my head out and start telling people what I’m up to once I see some signs of success on the road ahead.
You’ve heard me drop little references to a book project, but in general I know I’ve been very mysterious. I want to do better. I want to share more with you – the ups and the downs. You are here reading this blog every week, you are the audience I think about at every step, and you are the ones who have encouraged me to keep writing with every comment and every email! It’s silly for me to let my fear of failure (or fear of success) keep me from sharing more.
So what prompted this post?
Big news: I chose my literary agent this weekend!! My project feels real. It has survived self-doubt, addictive focus, a quarterlife crisis, deciding not to self-publish after months of writer’s block, upper limits, and many other twists and turns. I started writing in 2008, and finally – in February 2010 – I’m coming clean and telling you what the hell I’ve been doing all these months!
Signing with a literary agent does not make this a done deal – there is no guarantee a publisher will sign-on, that the book will sell – or any other metric of traditional success. But I want to stick my neck out and share the journey with you anyway. If I “fail”? (in quotes because I truly feel just going for it is a success) So what?! We’ll figure it out together. Plus, by saying it out loud I know I’ll have that much more momentum behind me and the project. You just try to bring us down, universe!
I know many of you have dreams to be a writer – or maybe you are just curious about how my process has gone. In Part 2 of this post, I’ll share the timeline of events that’s gotten me here: from the seed of an idea to now, which is that the book draft is written and I’m working on revising the proposal to start submitting to publishers in March.
Want the inside book scoop on an ongoing basis?
Because this blog is not about writing a book, per se – there are lots of tips, stories about my process, resources and updates I’d like to share more frequently than I am likely to post about (and somewhat more private updates too). If you are interested in following more detailed book updates, please let me know by filling out this quick form. I look forward to sharing more with you!
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Jenny, Congrats! That is really exciting. Thank you for sharing with your readers – I think it will be invaluable and interesting. Not to mention we will be supporting you all the way!
Congrats and thanks for sharing
I think it is great for you to share this part of your journey with us. I definitely really have enjoyed your perspective and your writing, and can't wait to hear more of what this journey will bring.
Thank you SO much Grace! It means a lot to hear you say that – sometimes I
forget how much support is out there! The world is really overflowing with
it – thank you
Thanks so much Beth! That means a lot to me – and it feels good to finally
just put all this out there! Have a great day
;ghdfglkdjfhgkljh!!! CONGRATULATIONS.
So proud of you!!
lakjsodfijowiejosdlfkjlakjsd; THANK YOU SO MUCH WOMAN!!! You are NEXT!!
<3!
This is awesome, Jenny, how exciting! Wishing you the very best of luck with this new journey
Very cool Jenny! Congratulations and I know it will be a success in many way
We will have to have you come back and speak at our lunch & learn webinar about your book when the time comes! Meanwhile, there is another talk on the horizon! Talk to you soon,
- Pierre
Glad you posted this….I was wondering what happened to that project and KNEW it wasn't in the trash!
Wow, publishing a book? That's so awesome; totally one of those goals that I would love to accomplish but will always be too intimidated to follow through with. Major kudos to you!
Congratulations! And I totally get it – when I have a big idea or start something new, I'm extremely quiet about it at first, or I tell just a couple of people. I think we want to protect ourselves from someone saying “WHAT?! Why do you want to do that?!” or doubting our abilities to succeed. It's crazy, because really – we have awesomely supportive networks, huh? Congrats to you and good luck!!!
Congrats Jenny!! I'm so glad good things are starting to unfold for you, and I can't wait to see what the future brings
Yay, I am so happy to hear that the book is getting closer and closer to becoming your reality. Congrats!
Thank you so much Susan! I really appreciate the kind words
Thanks ChaChanna! You are getting a mention in the next part of the series -
I seriously have you to thank for getting the ball rolling on this entire
project – you are such an inspiration!
Thanks Sam! I really appreciate your support – and sending big hugs your way
too. I know things haven't been easy lately – but I loved your post today -
one day at a time is right. Hang in there
Thank you Pierre! You (and our webinar) are mentioned in my proposal – I'm
definitely looking forward to collaborating and doing more events together
this year! So excited to follow your book progress too
Tee hee…yes – you know me too well! For as many moments as I *thought*
Love
about trashing it, I somehow managed to keep a little spark alive
you!
Thank you Gina! If you would love to write a book – if you have that passion
- you can. Seriously! I would never have done this if people in my life
didn't say the exact same thing to me. Best of luck to you too – and thanks
so much for stopping by and leaving a comment
Thanks so much girl! Glad to know I'm not the only one who is
self-protective with my big goals (even though it sounds silly saying it out
loud)…so true that half of it is because I don't want to hear someone
else's reaction! Or explain my project when I'm not sure where I stand with
it. Finally, you are so right – it IS crazy given how supportive our
networks are (especially on Twitter and in the blogosphere) – I feel so
blessed every day to know so many wonderful people! Including you, of course
If a publisher does not pick this up, I am going to. That’s right. I’m going to make a gazillion (my Grandma says that’s a real word so don’t question it) copies on my home printer, bind them together and pass them out. Ok, so you won’t make any money that way, but damn it you WILL be published!
Seriously, I’m so proud of you! I’ve always wondered what it takes to write a book, but don’t know the first thing about even getting started! So I’m definitely interested in hearing what steps you took along the way. Sign me up for the Jenny Inside Scoop!
Firm handshake, knuclebump, hi-five, slap on the ass. Now go get ‘em, girl!
PS (You sound like me, not wanting to tell anyone about your little projects until you see some signs of success. I too fear failure, but isn't it our fear of failure that partially helps us succeed? Deep thoughts for you.)
Proud would be an understatement. I'll be one of the first (among all of your other adoring fans) to buy a copy of your book as soon as it's published. This is a dream I have for myself (albeit a misguided “I don't know what I'd write a book about” dream at the moment) and I'd love to follow in your journey here. Wishing you nothing but the best my friend.
You are adorable, and your book's going to be fabulous.
From a new fan,
Ash
Aw, thank you so much Ash! I'm a big huge fan of yours too – and really look forward to keeping in touch
Awwww, thank you SO much Chevy!! You rock. Your book is right around the corner – I am absolutely sure of it. Seriously – look at how much you've done in the last year alone on LWP! I am amazed. Cheers – and looking forward to sharing even more of the journey with you!
You'll make a gazilion copies?! Too sweet! As one of the speakers at the conference said, “It's not a question of IF you'll get published – it's just a question of how.” So a gazillion hand-printed copies stapled with care (or maybe sprinkles)? I'll take it!
Random side note: my dad JUST sent me an email about the laptop saying, “Thanks a big zillion – bigger than a normal zillion.” So now I'm wondering where on that scale a gazillion falls?
Back to being serious – thank you so much for the kudos, knucklebump, high-five, and other encouragement – it means so much to me. Happy to share all the steps in the Jenny Inside Scoop. (Fun Fact: when I was 10 I started a family newspaper called the “Sunday Scoop” – so this gives me flashbacks).
Your P.S. WAS a deep thought! I think you're absolutely right…that a certain amount of fear is healthy and motivates us to succeed. I think that's the whole reason I put so much effort into my finances, for example. And glad to know I'm not the only one who keeps little projects a secret until I see signs of success.
All the best Jenny! Cant wait for it to come out!
Thank you so much, Yajur – I really appreciate your support!