I Ain't Down Yet

        Hello, gentle readers! Hope you are all well and staying safe!

I did it. Took my heart in my hands, offered up a silent prayer, and submitted Wife For Hire AND The Maverick and Miss Miller to several publishers. So far, I’ve received three Thank You But No Thank You’s (these were not my first rejections, but still, you know, your confidence kinda takes a hit). Not saying I thought someone would accept Wife For Hire the first time out, but there’s always that little spark of hope someone will love it like I do (I have not heard anything on The Maverick and Miss Miller yet, but I’m sure I will).

So, how am I dealing with the rejections? Well, first, I beat myself up a little bit (because that’s what I do…asking myself “Are you out of your mind? You weren’t ready! The manuscript, query, or synopsis weren’t ready either! You could have done better!). And after I shut my inner critic up, which wasn’t easy (she sounds very much like Meryl Streep, whom I adore as an actress, in the movie The Devil Wears Prada), I consoled myself with a heart-to-heart talk with some dear (and very supportive) friends, then fell into a carboholic’s dream coma (my carbs are restricted right now; however, carbs are the first thing I reach for when I’m feeling this way). Had some chocolate, too!  

After the scale spoke to me in a very condescending voice this morning (yes, like Meryl Streep again) and another heart-to-heart with my fantastic critique partner, I’m back to pounding the pavement, so to speak, and just sent off Wife For Hire to another publisher. What can I say? As the great Debbie Reynolds sang in the movie The Unsinkable Molly Brown, “I Ain’t Down Yet!” 

Stay well! Stay safe! And remember to spread kindness wherever you go! 

Marie