Well, I did it. I clicked submit and sent my first query to a literary agent. I really want to go the traditional publishing route, if at all possible, which means I need an agent.
I still have some doubts about my first ten pages. I like them, obviously. And I think they read pretty well and set up the story and the characters nicely. But when you read how to query and what the first ten pages should be like, it’s easy to second-guess yourself.
I usually find things work best for me when I’m able to relax and just do things and not think too hard about it. Of course, that does require some level of self-trust, which is harder to obtain when you’re doing something you’ve never done before.
I just feel like things get more interesting in my book the farther you read. I almost wish you could send in any ten pages, but I suppose it makes sense to start with the first ten. Most readers probably decide whether or not to continue reading within the first ten pages.
Personally, I tend to finish almost every book I start reading, because even if I really hate it, I figure I can learn what I don’t want to do in my own writing. Except, of course, for books where it appears that the dog may die. I’ll close those in a heartbeat.
Side note—the website www.doesthedogdie.com is so amazing. They’ll tell you about any potentially upsetting occurrence in nearly any book, movie, or tv show. It’s pretty much the most useful website on the internet. Either them or maybe my website. Both are quite good, really.
Now that I’ve sent out my first query, it feels somehow easier to send out more. I’ve done it once and it wasn’t that bad. I can just let the rejections roll in and keep sending more queries out. Sooner or later, as Eric Matthews would say, somebody’s gotta cave. Or make a clerical error.