Guest Post: Kathleen Peacock on a Lesson Learned
A couple of years ago I met Kathleen Peacock on the boards at Absolute Write. I got to know her through silly posts about anything that came to mind at odd hours. I remember a lot of randomness and cheerleading. Kathleen is so wise and kind. And funny. Her book HEMLOCK comes out in 2012 and I can tell you, I can’t wait to get my grabby hands on it. Read on to see what lesson Kathleen has learned in the last year._____________________________
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Holding on to the Moxie
mox-ie:
1: energy, pep 2: courage, determination 3: know-how
Merriam-Webster Dictionary
I was sixteen when I came across the word “moxie” in a Dean Koontz book (The House of Thunder, if you really want to know). I remember rolling the word over my tongue and filing it away for the future. Moxie. I liked it. It was something I wanted to have.
It conjured up mental images of someone who strode through life. Someone who wasn’t afraid to take chances and who was determined to try even if the odds were stacked against her—heck, maybe because the odds were stacked against her.
Sometimes, if I reached hard enough, it felt like my fingers could skim the word. When I decided I would write a novel—instead of, you know, just dreaming about it—it felt like I had become moxie personified.
It felt like nothing could stop me.
No matter how many hours it took and no matter how often I read that the odds of getting an agent— let alone a book deal—were on par with winning the lottery, I had faith. I knew that it would somehow happen (in hindsight that may less have been an example of a sixth sense and more an example of being delusional). I finally had my dose of moxie.
Then the book sold.
And doubt—which had been my companion for far more years than moxie had—started to settle in. What if everyone at KTB had all eaten bad takeout and were delusional when they bought my book? What if I let my editor (who I adored) down? What if my agent (who I also adored) had second thoughts about taking me on? What if everyone laughed when the book came out? What if only ten people bought the book and those ten people all left one-star reviews on Goodreads?
My friends and family tried to reassure me. My agent tried to reassure me. My editor was nothing but awesome and supportive. Deep down, though, that doubt gnawed at me.
And then, one afternoon, when I was worrying about revisions, I confessed to my agent that it never seriously (and we’re talking seriously as opposed to the occasional moments of doubt that even the most confident people get) occurred to me that the book wouldn’t happen, that I always had faith I would get an agent and it would sell.
Smart little agent that she is, she filed the story away and then slipped it into the conversation the next time I sounded stressed.
For some reason, hearing my own words paraphrased back at me had the effect of a switch being flipped. I didn’t just remember how it felt to feel that way; as we talked, I started feeling that way again. I felt calmer, more certain that I was on the right path and that this wasn’t some sort of universal fluke. I had my moxie back (and I really wanted to listen to “Battle Without Honor or Humanity” from the Kill Bill Soundtrack).
So I guess my lesson for this year (and the one I would pass on to anyone reading this) is to hold onto your moxie. There will be days when it’s hard to find, but you do have it. As soon as you made that leap from “someday I’d like to try and write a novel” to actually putting wordage on paper you proved that you had moxie in spades.
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Add HEMLOCK to your Goodreads shelf now!
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Don’t forget to leave a comment to enter my contest to win a $20 Amazon gift card. More info here.
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And be sure to check back tomorrow to see what lesson Jodi Meadows has learned!
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10 Responses to "Guest Post: Kathleen Peacock on a Lesson Learned"
on August 24, 2011 | to this post
Totally agree… Sometimes writing/publishing requires blind confidence … because if YOU don’t believe in your book, how will agents/editors/READERS believe in it?
on August 24, 2011 | to this post
Isn’t it funny how the laser-like pursuit is both commendable…and a little bit looney? I always describe my experience as a maniacal commitment to keep at it, rejection after rejection, after rejection. So glad you sold, Kathleen.
on August 24, 2011 | to this post
Love it, Kath—and now *I* know what to tell you when I get one of those stressed out emails!
Also, love the word “moxie.” I think I first heard it in a Fletch book–it’s one of the character’s names. (TMI, I know!)
on August 24, 2011 | to this post
Yay for moxie. It is a great word, isn’t it? Sounds like you have loads and how exciting that you have such supportive people to remind of that. Congratulations on your upcoming book!
on August 24, 2011 | to this post
Moxie evokes such strong emotions. It says confidence and beauty and nobody’s-the-boss-of-me. I love that. And I love this post. I can’t wait to read HEMLOCK.
on August 24, 2011 | to this post
Moxie is a fabulous word. I love that you shared how it’s not a constant thing, and it’s something you worked toward developing. I tend to look at Moxie-ful people and think it’s natural and effortless. It’s nice to know they (and you, Miss Moxie!) are human, too! Can’t wait to read Hemlock.
on August 24, 2011 | to this post
I love this post!! Moxie is a fantastic word, and a necessary quality in people I love. But you’re so right, some days it feels impossible to even imagine I’m the kind of person possible of displaying “moxie.” Next time I doubt myself I’ll think of this post
on August 24, 2011 | to this post
Cory, thanks so much for having me (and for saying suck sweet things)!
Lauren: Exactly! It’s important to be able to recognize your flaws but you have to have faith in the endeavor.
Caroline: Thank you! And “maniacal commitment” sums it up nicely!
Deb: Hee. You realize I sent you tonight’s angsty email probably AS YOU WERE COMMENTING.
Steph: Thanks!
Tiffany: I think some people have it naturally but I think a lot of people who project it work harder at it then they’d have you think
Sarah: Are you kidding? Girl, you are full of moxie!
on August 25, 2011 | to this post
Kathleen, this is awesome. Writing is hard, and you definitely need to have faith in yourself to keep going. The world is going to love Hemlock. I know *I* am excited for it!
on August 25, 2011 | to this post
A good lesson to remember. Must always believe in yourself.
Vivien
deadtossedwaves at gmail dot com