Thursday, March 26, 2009

The Writer's High

By Nichole Giles

Last week was a bit of a frenzy for my family. After we finished doing some spring cleaning, we were left with several items we didn’t need, but that were in good enough condition that someone else might. We’d already taken a load of junk to the dump, and another load of things to Deseret Industries. So we listed these things on a local classified website.

Smash, boom, bang, and we were getting calls within minutes of uploading our ads. Every single item sold within hours of being listed. Including our 24 foot travel trailer—which we would have loved to keep, except we’d outgrown it, and hadn’t used it for two years.

The things we sold were just lying around our house, but when we put in enough effort to clean them up and submit them for sale, people snatched them up so fast I wondered if we should install a swinging glass door like they have in retail stores.

The next day, I found myself—and my kids—wandering around the house, wondering what we could list next. It almost felt like a selling addiction. My husband and I joked that we’d start selling off the furniture next, just to feel that high of accomplishment we felt when people showed up to buy our old doghouse for $20. But really, I have no intention of selling my furniture.

This same principle can apply to selling our manuscripts. I’m in the process of preparing a submission package. I’ve done this before, but mostly on a smaller scale. The thing is, once you sell one manuscript—no matter who buys it—you feel a certain high that can’t be duplicated until you sell another one. And even if it takes years, you spend your time focusing on that goal so you can have your fix.

This is my year. Say it with me: This is my year. I’ve spent the last several months focusing on finishing my book for submission, and now expect to experience my next fix very soon. I’ve had a handful of small successes, and now it’s time for another one—however big or small.

Are you with me? Then people, let’s get submitting. It’s the only way to find the high of acceptance.

Good luck.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Good luck! Not that I'm encouraging getting high but I hope you "get your fix."

Carolyn V. said...

I'm with ya Nichole! Good Luck!

Heidi said...

I can tell you're a good writer b/c you have me inspired to sell stuff!

Nichole Giles said...

Thanks everyone. I vote we all find out what it feels like. Let's all sell our writing!

Nichole

Keith N Fisher said...

from your mouth to the powers that be. i have my fingers, toes, eyes, and a few other things crossed

Nichole Giles said...

Thanks, Keith! I'm crossing my fingers for your new submission as well.