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Tuesday, August 11, 2009
When to stop querying a project
Tip of the Day: Capri Suns aren't just for kids!
So we've gone through all the aspects of querying, except for when to give up. Our mother's all raised us to "never give up," but when it comes to writing I think you have to be smart about this. Most of us have limited time to pursue this dream, because we are also working full-time jobs, raising families, and have other dreams we are chasing.
So just because one book doesn't sell, doesn't mean you have to give up on writing. Or that this book won't eventually sell when the market changes and "puppet-loving girls from Louisiana" become the new "vampires" just when you happen to be shelving your book about a small-town girl from Bonita, LA that makes children's puppets out of Capri Sun juice bags to raise money to pursue her dream as a professional ventriloquist (which we all know is clearly where the YA market is moving).
Don't be afraid to move on if one book isn't working. Take it as a sign to focus your attention on that other book that's screaming "write me."
By no means, does this mean you have to shelve the book completely, but maybe step away from it for a few months, go back to it later, and see if you can pick up on why people were having issues with it.
Next week, I'll try to talk more specifically about how to figure out when is the right time to move on.
--Emily, Miss Querylicious
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