Write the Book: Part 1

My career was over! The company I had worked for, and invested in for most of my life, had laid me off. I was so lost and didn’t know where else to turn to. How was I going to provide for my family? Who would hire someone that could only work in an industry that was dying? Obviously, I turned to the one I knew had all the answers.

I went into my bedroom and knelt beside it. Closing my eyes, I prayed. God, you have always been there for me. I know you are here with me even now. What do I do?

Silence…

Not the best time to take a vacation, Lord. I really really really need you right now.

Nothing…

I guess you’re busy at the moment, so I guess I’ll come back at better time.

I proceeded to dive into distractions for the following days. The usuals of video games, binge-watching, and stress eating were my vices of choice. Occasionally, I’d chat with friends who would go on to advise me to go back to school, try a new career path, take what I could get for now until the industry returns in full force, or try teaching. None of that excited me. I was happy where I used to be. What happened?

Lost in a new routine of laziness, I became complacent. Depressed. How could I get out of this state that I’d fallen into? While dreading the future, I began to heavily reflect on my past. I used to write a lot when I was younger. Plays and poems mostly.

Write the book.

God?

Write the book.

Are you kidding? Really?!

Write the book.

Soooooooo…God asked me to write a book. Okay…Cool… Yeah, I could do that. Right?

Absolutely, I already had an idea for a whole series! I love telling stories. Now, first things first, how do you write a book??? Staring at a blank page is step one. Step two is getting disheartened and going back to playing video games and watching TV on the couch until 4AM.

After waking up way past noon, I went back to the blank page. Step Three: I created an outline and after only a few…months…

Step Four: Began writing the book

Turning out a chapter a day, I was obsessed. I had found a new passion. A new drive. My family missed me and even had to negotiate time to spend together when I wasn’t writing. I was locked in. This world I was creating took on a life of its own. I felt alive.

However, the savings were dwindling and I needed to stop the bleeding. I began taking some free online courses to acquire new skill sets. Job boards and applications began to fill up my writing time. I applied for the well-paying job. Prayed for favor. Prayed for provision.

I didn’t get the well-paying job.

I applied for the job that I was passionate about. It felt like the perfect fit for me. I could excel and enjoy it. Prayed for favor. Prayed for provision. Thought I had it in the bag.

I didn’t get the job that I was passionate about.

I applied for a teaching job. I could sense I was being led down that path. I already felt like I was teaching at my last job at some point. I could help the young people of the world. Nailed the interview, and I knew the subject I would teach backwards and forwards. Prayed for favor. Prayed for provision.

I didn’t get the teaching job. It went to someone who already had teaching experience. God, what am I going to do?

Write the book.

Okay, okay. I dove back into writing. Finished the first draft. Yay! I did it, I wrote the book! Wow, it sucks. Let me guess, God. Edit the book?

My spouse walks in, “Do you need some help?”

Why yes, yes I do. “Take a look at this, sweetie. Feel free to make notes.”

I took on some part time jobs. Delivering, seasonal warehouse work, and even substitute teaching. I hated all three and they didn’t stop the financial bleeding, but at least it wasn’t gushing now.

Let’s have some family move in with us to help split the bills. Gotta take some time to actually clean this house now and again though. Keep it nice for the fam.

Book is edited…

And edited…

I change one of the character’s names, I change phrases, I find typos, but finally its polished. I have some people read it, I take their notes and make more changes. Then its time to write:

Logline

Elevator Pitch

Short Synopsis

Full Synopsis

QUERY LETTER!!!!!!!

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

The bane of my existence, the Query Letter. The one page I send to literary agents with the hopes they will ask to read my manuscript and then offer me representation.

Agent after agent send me form rejections. No critique, no tips. Just the same ol’ “this just isn’t right for me.”

Ok, God. I wrote the book. But no one really wants to read it… So I change up my query letter, again and again… and again.

Maybe if I completely change the point of view of the entire book it’ll speak to the reader more!

So I do that. More queries. More rejections. More pitch events on Twitter. More crickets.

WHAT AM I DOING WRONG?!?!

I’d feel better if I got a rejection email saying my book lacks this or that, or it sucks, maybe I should never write, have you tried working fast food, yada yada yada. But no, “this just isn’t right for me.”

Well…your rejection just isn’t right for me. I NEED FEEDBACK!

Please… Anyone…

Silence

More warehouse work, more deliveries…

What’s next?

Come back for Part 2!