Best Valentine’s Day Present. EVER.
The Sunday before Christmas, I finished my second book, a YA contemporary called IF I LIE. I sent it off to my agent and held my breath, waiting for her to tell me it sucked. Not because my agent is a jerk (she’s actually AMAZING), but because my confidence had been swirling the drain for a while.
See, getting an agent and then going on submission is tough. In fact, it’s the hardest thing I’ve ever voluntarily faced, and I like a good challenge. Most writers become well acquainted with rejection in all its various forms, from “no” to “oh, hell, no!” There were days when I brushed off the no’s and vowed to keep at it. But then there were days when I cried and thought I was stupid for even trying. My family and friends would ask if I’d sold a book yet, and I’d launch into this diatribe about how maybe 1% of writers actually get published. And they would pat me on the back, and I’d act all fierce because I was still in the game, still writing and learning and sweating and bleeding on the page.
But secretly, I wondered, who did I think I was to even reach for that 1% with my grubby hands? There’s nothing terribly special about me. If you asked me to describe myself, my first words would be “I’m a hard worker.” Yay. Let’s all high five on that one. I’m not the sparkling type that lights up a room. I’m not passionate about anything. I don’t spend my weekends fighting for causes. When you get down to it, what could I possibly have to say that matters to anyone?
Do you want to slap me yet? Because I did. Seriously. What a huge, steaming load of crap all that is.
That garbage – all those nasty thoughts – are what a series of no’s can do to you if you’re not careful. Those are all lies you begin to tell yourself when you take every rejection of your work as a rejection of YOU. Okay, maybe I don’t light up a room, but I laugh a lot and I’m a phenomenal listener. I’m passionate about lots of things, including writing and family and friends.
And I have so much that is interesting to say. My experience is unique and colorful and MINE. Did you know I was once in a body cast? Or that my parents’ have nine marriages and eight divorces between them? Or that I used to play daredevil and jump off my roof – for fun? And I have a scar on my elbow from that time I got run over by a car? And what about that sister that I’ve never met?
Every time I sit down to write, I channel all that experience into my work. I take all that emotion, and I dig into it, so I can put it on paper like a mirror for others to look into and recognize themselves. I am so freaking lucky to have an ability that can move people. What a humbling, overwhelming thing.
If you have a gift and you love it and you’re passionate about it, don’t give into the no’s. You have to keep growing and learning and writing. Do what it takes to get better. School, workshops, beta reading, taking criticism and turning it into gold.
Because if you finally get the call that you have an offer – or two (holy freak out) – those no’s are going to become the rocks you had to climb to get where you are. And getting to the top of the mountain will mean all the more. And you will cry when your agent tells you the news. Then you will cry and laugh when you tell your sister and your mom and those people who believed in you. And if you are like me, you will lock yourself in your bathroom and sob when it hits you that the dream you’ve been slaving over is coming true in a very real way.
Trust me on this.
It pays to be a hard worker.
My super awesome, life-changing news…
My YA contemp IF I LIE will be published in Fall 2012 by the Simon Pulse imprint at Simon & Schuster!
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44 Responses to "Best Valentine’s Day Present. EVER."
on February 14, 2011 | to this post
What an inspiring story, Cory!! And you know what? I would LOVE to know how the hell you ended up in a body cast. You have led one interesting life. More so than me or anyone I know!!
Congrats and well done
on February 14, 2011 | to this post
Even when you’re just writing a blog post, you have such a way with words. Beautiful, Cory. Congratulations, you’ve earned this!
on February 14, 2011 | to this post
Congratulations, Cory! I’m so excited for you! Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful news!
on February 14, 2011 | to this post
I think you light up a room. <3333333
DDD
So. Many. Freaking. Congrats!!!
on February 14, 2011 | to this post
Wow, what an amazing story! I know exactly what you mean about being on submission being the hardest thing you’ve ever voluntarily faced. I’m going through that at the moment! But I’m so glad you got a happy ending.
Congrats again!
on February 14, 2011 | to this post
Congratulations!!!! How exciting! I’m on submission right now with my third novel, and this gives me hope!
on February 14, 2011 | to this post
YAYAYAYAY!!! I totes updated my post for you! http://bit.ly/g2DNcv Congratulations!!!! You made it!!!!!
on February 14, 2011 | to this post
I love this post with all of its awesomeness and honest glory! Nearly moved me to tears. So much truth.
CONGRATULATIONS on the news! Can’t wait to see your books in stores and on shelves.
on February 14, 2011 | to this post
Such awesome news. Congrats again.
on February 14, 2011 | to this post
AMAZING NEWS! Congratulations to you. Can’t wait to read the novel.
on February 14, 2011 | to this post
I’m so darn excited for you!!!! It’s a great day, and lots of special Valentine’d Day love just for you OBVIOUSLY!
on February 14, 2011 | to this post
I am so so sooooo happy for you, Cory! Congratulations!!!
on February 14, 2011 | to this post
What a great post – the happy light shines through bright and true. Congratulations to you!
P.S. Annette is my editor and let me just say one word. Awesome.
P.S.S. You should come join The Apocalypsies – you’re a 2012′er now!!!!
on February 14, 2011 | to this post
WHOO HOOOO!!! I’m so excited for you. I can’t wait to hear more about If I Lie! I feel very priviledged to have crittered, lol, your first mani, which was awesomesauce. Can’t wait to see you on the shelf!!!
on February 14, 2011 | to this post
Congrats Cory! You so deserve this…and your post made me cry.
on February 14, 2011 | to this post
YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY
on February 14, 2011 | to this post
It is amazing news! I just got an agent last week, and that was enough for me to want to lock myself in a bathroom and cry. I can’t imagine how it will feel if I someday actually get published.
Congrats and enjoy!!
on February 14, 2011 | to this post
CONGRATULATIONS!!! That is awesome news. It really is a life-changing thing. Enjoy the ride!
on February 14, 2011 | to this post
Congrats Cory <3
So glad it finally happened for you!!
on February 14, 2011 | to this post
Congratulations, Cory!
I’m so happy for you! And thank you for affirming that hard work can pay off.
on February 14, 2011 | to this post
Congratulations!! That is so exciting, and the journey has clearly made you stronger. I can’t wait to see IF I LIE on the shelves!
on February 14, 2011 | to this post
CONGRATULATIONS!!!! Keep enjoying the journey.
on February 14, 2011 | to this post
Woo-hoo! Awesome news! Congratulations!
on February 14, 2011 | to this post
I would also like to know the story on the body cast.
So so happy for and proud of you.
on February 14, 2011 | to this post
Congrats on your awesome news. Patience and hard work have paid off.
on February 14, 2011 | to this post
YAYYYYYY CORY!!!! Huge congrats to you on a well-deserved victory! (and see that? I didn’t even have to storm New York and browbeat any editors on your behalf….for which we can all heave a hefty sigh of relief!) =D
So proud of you….If I Lie is FABULOUS! Can’t wait to snuggle my own copy, WOOT!
on February 15, 2011 | to this post
YAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAY!!!! *throws confetti* You’re seriously one of the best writers I know (and I’ve only read snippets, and I can say this ). I can’t wait to read a whole book by you
And you’re debuting in Fall, 2012, like me *throws more confetti*
I’m so happy and psyched for you, Cory!:D
on February 15, 2011 | to this post
yay, cory, SUCH AWESOME NEWS OMG!!! yayayay!
also, i love this post–SO inspiring.
on February 15, 2011 | to this post
CONGRATS! Your post is inspiring and I wish you tons of success! Can’t wait to read it in 2012!
on February 15, 2011 | to this post
I was over on Vahini’s blog and she mentioned the news. I’m always for congratulating fellow authors! Congrats! Great, inspirational post too! Good luck with everything
on February 15, 2011 | to this post
Thank you so much for all the lovely comments, everyone! It means so much! <33
on February 15, 2011 | to this post
Wow- that’s awesome times a hundred!! (probably more…). Also, your posts are always so inspiring and encouraging to me.
Thanks for sharing!
on February 15, 2011 | to this post
Congratulations! And you’ve earned it the old-fashioned way, with hard work and determination. And squashing those little negative voices within you!
on February 15, 2011 | to this post
Congratulations, Cory! That’s so amazing!
on February 15, 2011 | to this post
I just wanted to join in the congratulations, and call you shiny : ), and wish you tons of success!
Can’t wait to read your novel!
And most of all, big sparkly kudos for sticking with it, working hard, and never saying never!
on February 16, 2011 | to this post
Congratulations. I came over from Carolina’s blog. What a wonderful story. So inspiring. I really needed this. Good luck and I look forward to the release.
on February 16, 2011 | to this post
Okay, hi. You just made my day. week. life.
I…I just know what has to be done now. Thank you.
on February 16, 2011 | to this post
Congrats! I just hopped over from Carolina’s blog. I will now be following your journey even more!
on February 16, 2011 | to this post
Congratulations, Cory! I can’t wait to read IF I LIE!
on February 16, 2011 | to this post
As someone who has been stuck in submission purgatory for a while, has gotten so insanely close to a deal you wouldn’t believe it, but still only has a pile of no’s to show for it… thank you. Thank you for this post. For not giving up. And for being an inspiration. Also–CONGRATULATIONS!!!
on February 16, 2011 | to this post
I totally thought I’d left a message on this already!!! Aw man!
Ah well, just another congratulations! So excited for you and to real IF I LIE!! Enjoy the ride, Cory! Your story is absolutely inspiring! <3
on February 18, 2011 | to this post
Cory this is so amazing!! Congratulations!! I can’t wait to read your published book!
And you’re right–Laura is amazing. BTW, I’m your new agency sister! Hi!
- Liz
on February 22, 2011 | to this post
Congratulations!!!!!
I love reading posts like this. Not only because I love sharing in people’s good news, but because it makes me know I’m not crazy. I think only other writers who’ve been through the process know what we go through, how freaking hard it can be. How you can be bemoaning how difficult it is at one moment and then snap at someone who says, well, then maybe you shouldn’t be putting yourself through this.
Writing is the hardest job I’ve ever done–but on the good days, the days I get good news or get to share in someone else’s, or days when something really clicks in my work–the most rewarding.