Andrea Wilson Woods' Blog

I always knew getting an agent was hard, but I am still surprised when one of my “A” list agents says, “No, thanks.” Don’t they know how lucky they are? They made the cut from a list that started with 150 agents down to only 20. I only want them to read my material. The truth is my query letter—despite being rewritten 10 times—does not reflect the strength of my writing. Typical for most writers. The query is the most difficult part of the “getting an agent” process. I’m actually much better at pitching my book in person. Hmm … maybe I need to go to another conference. My advice: write your query letter over and over and over. Then write it again.

AWW — XoXo

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I just finished doing some writing exercises in The Freelance Writer’s Bible. I already knew my greatest fear/block to writing was pain. Facing your emotions is a given when you are writing a memoir, but reliving every day Adrienne was sick can be overwhelming at times. I did gain some insight, however, after completing the exercise. “I won’t love myself if I don’t finish this book.” I didn’t even realize that particular truth until the lead from my mechanical pencil dotted the period at the end of that sentence. I won’t love myself if I don’t finish. I thought I had to write the book for Adrienne, but now I know I have to write it for myself too. I won’t love myself if I don’t finish. My new mantra.

AWW — XoXo

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I think about those three nouns a lot: happiness, hope, and wisdom. I long for happiness, but I would settle for hope. Wisdom, although I desire it, isn’t enough to sustain me. I need more. Without Adrienne, I am half a person. A partial being who seeks wholeness. Can you ever be whole again after losing the person you love most in this world? I doubt it. I guess a scarred heart is better than none at all.

AWW — XoXo

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