Catch up and Querying

Good heavens, July came and went in a blur. Hello friends!

In the Luray Caverns, VA, July 2016
I hope this entry finds you well. I've been so busy I hardly know how to sum it all up. I'll let some pictures do the talking.

We visited Virginia for a family wedding and left in awe of the summer landscape there:





Above and beneath.



Happily, the calendar is a bit more clear for the next few weeks. Lots of catching up to do.

In writing related news, I'm well into a new WIP.  Having made good progress, I recently set it aside to query query query and query some more.



I don't know about you, but sharing creative work can be draining for me, especially when the outcome is a simple yes or no. I'm not always up to the work of querying and it's never my favorite part of the process. When I feel like maybe I can send a few, I jump to it and try to get it done as well and fast as possible. Sadly, I'm slow. 



I like to research agents thoroughly before sending a letter and attachments crafted specifically to their guidelines and interests. So, I'm flying if I can send out more than one an hour. And I've sent many. So many. And time creeps on. 


The good news is that there's interest in my work. I haven't found the right match or moment yet, but time and again I'm encouraged by the responses that say "yes, I'll see more" or "maybe next time, keep me in mind" or even "no, but you were very close".


It also helps me to have many pots on the stove. Instead of driving all my energy in one direction that might not work, I've been querying for poems, stories, essays, and novels in waves that feel genuinely motivated by what's inspiring me that day. What I like that day. Where my hopes are pulling me.

This year has already given me more publishing experience than any other in my life and for that I'm incredibly grateful. 

August means we're back home and I'm back to work. Much love to you all. 

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