tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5250095548371624935.post7612370391887290882..comments2023-11-19T05:18:18.363-05:00Comments on Emily White: Goober Writers Anonymous--Matthew RushUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5250095548371624935.post-77498798829202508782010-11-16T23:24:49.046-05:002010-11-16T23:24:49.046-05:00Yikes. You took a form letter personally, wrote t...Yikes. You took a form letter personally, wrote the letter you needed to, and the one mistake is you sent it in. You are a very brave bear to post this, and I admire you for it.<br /><br />His reply was very cool of him, and your reply back was classic humble. It’s the sound of light bulb going on and illuminating a room which needs a bit of cleaning.Steve MChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15026970188928733645noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5250095548371624935.post-1939930269758425982010-11-06T20:07:47.845-04:002010-11-06T20:07:47.845-04:00Wow! Those were some fireworks.
The fact that he ...Wow! Those were some fireworks.<br /><br />The fact that he took the time to give such a brutal but honest response to your second letter is rather endearing. Your words about his response clearly stung and he had the grace to want to explain.<br /><br />It's also good that you were open to learning. Brutal honestly can sometimes be the best way to deal with something.<br /><br />JaiJai Joshihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04858987106548357551noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5250095548371624935.post-79095719196551261652010-11-05T21:24:54.310-04:002010-11-05T21:24:54.310-04:00Thanks again everybody. I will admit I was a littl...Thanks again everybody. I will admit I was a little tipsy the night I first replied to him, and obviously I was really hurt, because this was literally my 3rd or 4th query, and I knew NO other writers then, but still, he did school me. Hard. Sometimes the hard lessons are the best ones though.Matthew MacNishhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03264738483763244969noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5250095548371624935.post-64687861877454864942010-11-05T21:13:43.107-04:002010-11-05T21:13:43.107-04:00Oh, Matt. I already had a lot of respect for you, ...Oh, Matt. I already had a lot of respect for you, but that respect has increased tenfold after reading this. It takes so much bravery and humility to share an experience like yours, and to allow us to learn from your experiences, and to feel that we are truly not alone in our own mistakes. Thank you, and bravo to you. This community is better with you in it.Ishta Mercuriohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17776946702988283453noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5250095548371624935.post-81276391661561573132010-11-05T13:22:51.919-04:002010-11-05T13:22:51.919-04:00Wowza... that was bold. And by bold I mean for fir...Wowza... that was bold. And by bold I mean for first writing the query, replying to his response, being schooled and then allowing us to all witness what happens when you go through these steps.<br /><br />I have yet to be in the querying process, but I know I'll be in amazing hands when I put my query on your blog for massive scrunity from all angles. You've learned, you've conquered and one day my friend, you'll succeed.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03667521490706435608noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5250095548371624935.post-27409865389064242212010-11-05T12:57:29.109-04:002010-11-05T12:57:29.109-04:00You learn, and you move on. Thanks for the honesty...You learn, and you move on. Thanks for the honesty Matt, and the courage to look rejection in the face and ask why, and then learn from it!Lydia Kanghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00484415427764822386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5250095548371624935.post-9718772710443431992010-11-05T11:52:03.710-04:002010-11-05T11:52:03.710-04:00This might not have been entertaining for you in t...This might not have been entertaining for you in the first place, but it was very entertaining to read your exposition of it. Thanks for sharing your experience >:)<br /><br /><a href="http://cold-as-heaven.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow"> Cold As Heaven </a>CA Heavenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07558100567878233142noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5250095548371624935.post-55109815624743362322010-11-05T11:10:53.136-04:002010-11-05T11:10:53.136-04:00sorry I'm super late, but I will say this, I h...sorry I'm super late, but I will say this, I have a feeling I know who this agent is and... well... didn't he do you like the biggest favor of all time? I mean, what a sh*tty fourth 'graph, but didn't it ultimately HELP you...? ((big hug)) He's really a jerk for that sh*tty 'graph. I want to kick him in the... shins. There's no excuse for being cruel. <br /><br />OK, back on point, I think agents have to be somewhat Simon Cowellish, yes? And ultimately it's good for us--writers have to be thick skinned. Wait for the reviewers to kick in~<br /><br />Now get back on that horse! ;p <3LTMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05239077455322030275noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5250095548371624935.post-45146307379244129852010-11-05T09:42:49.328-04:002010-11-05T09:42:49.328-04:00Wow, Matt! I admire you for putting it out there. ...Wow, Matt! I admire you for putting it out there. And you're so right. We all have our embarrassing starts. It makes us human. I'm afraid to even drag out my first queries as I'm sure they're ludicrous. <br />The agent totally schooled you and that was cool of him. We all are on our own path and we have to make our own mistakes.Just look at how far you've come!<br />This was a geat lesson for anyone new to the query game. A perfect example of what not to do ... lol... i say that with a good heart. :)<br />THis is a great idea! Matt just earned more cool points in my book.PK HREZOhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11650153097981426833noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5250095548371624935.post-24921271938248767502010-11-05T08:13:24.898-04:002010-11-05T08:13:24.898-04:00We can laugh, but you are not the only one, Matthe...We can laugh, but you are not the only one, Matthew, to make these mistakes. The thing is you learned from the situation and moved on. Thanks for being so brave and posting you first attempt at a query. :DStinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11415189347501942340noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5250095548371624935.post-46181046001333215082010-11-05T05:58:14.310-04:002010-11-05T05:58:14.310-04:00Thanks everybody! This was pretty tough to share b...Thanks everybody! This was pretty tough to share because, well, when I first put it on my blog I had like 10 followers. Now I'm slightly more well known and have a reputation for (sort of) knowing what I'm talking about, so it's scary to admit how ignorant I was in the beginning. But hey, we all start somewhere, and mistakes are sometimes the best way to learn, so if this helps even one other writer avoid the same missteps ...Matthew MacNishhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03264738483763244969noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5250095548371624935.post-70952296160487862172010-11-05T01:18:50.415-04:002010-11-05T01:18:50.415-04:00I just about spit my wine all over my computer whe...I just about spit my wine all over my computer when I rea the word count. The I wondered how may Agents you gave a heart attack to - either from extreme laughter or choking on their own . . coffee.<br /><br />Well, mistakes are how we learn Matt. Nobody gets it perfect the first time - and if they do, seriously, don't tell me about it.<br /><br />And look how you've used your lessons to improve not only your own writing/query skills, but to share the knowledge with others. I've seen the results of your query assistance - yeah I know, I rarely comment on your blog but I do read a lot of the posts - and so maybe it was destiny that you made such horrendous mistakes. Eventually, it brought you to a point where you could be a mentor to others.<br /><br />And that has been a good thing for the writing community as a whole.<br /><br />thanks for making the sacrifice for us, and being brave enough to return with your life lessons.<br /><br />......dholedolorahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08715849844092553699noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5250095548371624935.post-2017881040269617872010-11-04T23:32:49.079-04:002010-11-04T23:32:49.079-04:00I'm a friend (and follower) of Matt's. I l...I'm a friend (and follower) of Matt's. I love the GWA idea! Brilliant!<br /><br />Matt,<br /><br />You are so brave for sharing this again. I remember when I read this for the first time a few months ago. You're my hero. <3Shannonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11640509596922335617noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5250095548371624935.post-88534193917958059912010-11-04T21:36:18.167-04:002010-11-04T21:36:18.167-04:00Hi Emily, I followed you over here from Matthew...Hi Emily, I followed you over here from Matthew's blog and I must say I think GWA is a wonderful idea. It's nice to know we aren't alone when it comes to not thinking clearly at all times.Tracyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03726858055689145824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5250095548371624935.post-74555954072413292552010-11-04T19:36:44.296-04:002010-11-04T19:36:44.296-04:00Thanks for having the guts to share your goober of...Thanks for having the guts to share your goober of a mistake. The sign of a good writer is to learn from mistakes, and it sounds like you've gone miles beyond this now. That is awesome!Jaleh Dhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04942272578488986874noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5250095548371624935.post-64699718957936905612010-11-04T16:56:45.561-04:002010-11-04T16:56:45.561-04:00Wow, Matthew, that was...wow. I just about had to ...Wow, Matthew, that was...wow. I just about had to throw an extra sweater on from reading the response he gave to your response. Hopefully this query will save another green writer from making the same mistake.Jeff Beeslerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17935580053176710609noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5250095548371624935.post-67208484425228678032010-11-04T16:53:41.738-04:002010-11-04T16:53:41.738-04:00Man, you really nailed all the classics with that ...Man, you really nailed all the classics with that one. Ah, the fond memories of noobdom...Bryan Russellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09555071335245492790noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5250095548371624935.post-64947422115432218732010-11-04T16:31:45.639-04:002010-11-04T16:31:45.639-04:00Matt, I think you're awesome for sharing this....Matt, I think you're awesome for sharing this. I also think anyone who is about to jump into the publishing pool should absolutely READ THIS POST! <br /><br />Lesson learned, right? You earn a titannic amount of respect from me, owning this mistake and using it to help school others. <br /><br />Angela @ The Bookshelf MuseAngela Ackermanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01808259088625142389noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5250095548371624935.post-39407528381095087612010-11-04T16:25:19.396-04:002010-11-04T16:25:19.396-04:00I agree it actually was pretty nice of him in a ro...I agree it actually was pretty nice of him in a round-about way to answer your angry letter. Live and learn, eh?Angiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01445455787485222068noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5250095548371624935.post-50556934844752619962010-11-04T16:14:30.186-04:002010-11-04T16:14:30.186-04:00OUCH! Thanks for sharing your pain with us.OUCH! Thanks for sharing your pain with us.Southpawhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16539290964546504171noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5250095548371624935.post-22912456642640859812010-11-04T13:13:45.458-04:002010-11-04T13:13:45.458-04:00Ouch! But on another note, I think using Kundalini...Ouch! But on another note, I think using Kundalini is totally cool!Carolyn Abiadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10567399129586443513noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5250095548371624935.post-67523744247030039132010-11-04T12:11:53.008-04:002010-11-04T12:11:53.008-04:00Emily, thanks for this bit of wackiness from Matth...Emily, thanks for this bit of wackiness from Matthew--it was great.<br /><br />Matthew-- You outdid yourself with this one! It was very entertaining (although I could certainly feel your sense of frustration and discouragement). I think there's an idea for novel here. "No is not an option. A psycho author stalks agent. The more rejections, the greater the terror." Let's see--maybe you can call it <i>The Relentless Writer</i>.<br />This exchange was priceless, but educational.<br /><br />Lee<br /><a href="http://tossingitout.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">Tossing It Out</a>Arlee Birdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11663942782929929334noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5250095548371624935.post-55539984232260806662010-11-04T11:43:30.869-04:002010-11-04T11:43:30.869-04:00Also, 'm embarrassed now because I thought I w...Also, 'm embarrassed now because I thought I was following you already. But, remedied my stupid mistake. So sorry. I'm such a dunce sometimes.Carolina M. Valdez Schneiderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11589934533051907801noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5250095548371624935.post-6393406371673434242010-11-04T11:40:42.716-04:002010-11-04T11:40:42.716-04:00Oh Mattttttttt...I cringed and cringed and cringed...Oh Mattttttttt...I cringed and cringed and cringed. But you are so so so so brave. It is HARD to let others know the mistakes you've made--it makes us feel so vulnerable. But I know reading about this sort of thing will help a lot of people. Because, you know what? You are not the first to do this, nor will you be the last. As much as people say that querying is all about common sense, it isn't always. There are specific rules to querying that go beyond just being professional--you really have to know not just queries, but publishing in general. How is a writer to know that 475,000 words is too long (without research anyway!) Newbies often don't know the word per page ratio, right? You poor thing. But I think you show your character and intelligence in the way you handled things after the incident in allowing yourself to learn from it. You set aside your pride, and now you're letting others learn from your mistake--that's true generosity. So kudos to you. <3 <3<br /><br />Emily, I wish I had guts to do this, but I'm way too insecure. When I find my strength, I'd love to come back and post for GWA...Carolina M. Valdez Schneiderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11589934533051907801noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5250095548371624935.post-88373572775748209352010-11-04T11:11:11.400-04:002010-11-04T11:11:11.400-04:00Yikes!!!!!
Drop by and enter my CELEBRATE THE LIT...Yikes!!!!!<br /><br /><a href="http://thealliterativeallomorph.blogspot.com/2010/11/giveaway-time.html" rel="nofollow">Drop by and enter my CELEBRATE THE LITTLE THINGS GIVEAWAY!</a>Jessica Bellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10889900730906728317noreply@blogger.com