DOOL Discussion Group -- Took a Chance Today and Now Waiting is Torture

DOOL Discussion Group

Topic: Took a Chance Today and Now Waiting is Torture

Topic Posted by: Geri
Date Posted: Fri Mar 16 20:04:01 2012
Additional Comments: I'm a big John Irving fan and had the amazing opportunity to meet him back in 1993. I wrote about that event but have never done anything about it. Irving is coming out with a new novel in May and I got to thinking that now would be a good time to send it out which is something I have never attempted before. Well today I took a chance and sent it to an author acquaintance I have here in my home town. The acquaintance is Richard Doestch and he writes thrillers (his new novel is Half Past Dawn). I see Richard each year at voting where I work the polls and we are always very friendly. This year he brought me a paperback of his earlier novel with a note. So today I messaged him on FB asking if he might consider reading my Irving piece. He wrote back and said he would love to. I then sent the piece to the email address he gave me. Richard said he even knows Irving's publishers.

This is a real test finally if my writing has any promise. I've been told for years to send it out but I have never have had the guts to. So even if nothing happens at least I know I took a big step. But the waiting is hard. I'm so anxious. I think I posted the Irving piece a while ago here but if anyone is interested in reading it -- let me know here and I can email it to you.

Posted by: cgeminime2
Date posted: Sun Mar 18 15:08:32 2012
Message:
Go GERI! That does take a lot of courage! I will keep my fingers and toes crossed for you.

Replies: (list all replies)

Thanks so much, cgem -- I surprised even myself. Still waiting though to hear back.

Posted by: vh
Date posted: Sat Mar 17 7:55:36 2012
Message:

Good for you Geri! They say it's the things we don't do that are the biggest regrets in our lives, so I commend you for biting the bullet.

I'm considering posting a poem I'm writing on another forum (if I ever finish it and if of course I like how it turns out which is highly questionable...!)

BTW, I read your piece-last year, I think?-and enjoyed it.

Good luck, and remember-you jumped the first hurdle and that is the biggest one.

Also, if he writes back with a critique, just remember that even the best authors have editors and reading groups and go through all kinds of changes in their manuscripts!

Which isn't to say I think he will critique-just want you to hold your head high!

Replies: (list all replies)

Hi vh~ always nice to see you. And I know you are right -- regretting things we haven't done. I try not to look back too much (do though every once in awhile). Anyway -- yes, I expect some critiquing going on and I did make some typos. I'm proud of myself for messaging him in the first place since I usually mull over such things ad nauseum. The waiting is very hard though. And I think you should post your poem. I'd like to read it. Thanks again for the encouragement! :) /G