Spark of Inspiration

I’m not sure what is harder, writing the story or submitting to Agents. It’s a process, similar to finding a job. There is LUCK involved and I don’t mean, sit around, do nothing, and HOPE you are found luck.

No, I’m talking about doing the hard work. Researching Agents to find the best fit for our particular work. I’ve noticed lately that the Children’s Book market is saturated with people wanting to write, so now it is more competitive.

I worked in advertising sales for many years. That is hard work. I’d often arrive back at the office with “no contract.” I panicked. Monday was our group sales meeting, Going around the table with no sale, made us vulnerable and opened us up to the “WHY no contract…” question from Manager. Imagine the pressure!

There was one young guy, who had a big ego. He would say, “Great week, Boss, lots of calls.”

To which my manager replied, “If it was such a good week, why don’t I see a contract in my inbox?”

This young guy was always offended by this reprimand, as if it was a surprise to be called out like this.. He didn’t get it. A good week = a sale. An OK week, was working the pipeline = no sale.

One day, a co-worker saw I was low. To pick up my spirits he offered advice.

My co-worker said, “Remember, ONE more NO, brings you CLOSER to a YES!”

Brilliant — That message became a tape recording in my head. No, NO, YES or No, YES or No, no, NO, NO = YES, YES, YES!! Sometimes multiple contracts come in all at once.

One day, when I give a speech to fellow writers who need an agent and they say, “HOW many times were you rejected before you found your Agent?”

I’ll smile and say, “I never kept count, it’s not about “how many rejections.” It’s about LUCK. It’s a numbers game and it’s about quality versus quantity of submissions.”

LUCK is when PREPARATION meets OPPORTUNITY!

Focus on obtaining the “YES,” not the “NO.”

Good luck fellow writers!!