Musical Monday- A Writer's Up's and Down's "Happy" by Pharrell

Hi, Cyber Peeps!  This Monday finds me continuing to traverse the agent querying gauntlet.  That’s the lovely no-man’s land between completing a novel and retaining the representation of a reputable agent.  Now, when I use the term “lovely,” one needs to understand that this is the height of tongue firmly inserted in cheek.  While beauty IS in the eye of the beholder, this is lovely the same way that an IRS audit, shingles, and a colonoscopy are also lovely.
Unless you are into that sort of thing.
My fellow writers and I have noticed that we, said writers, greatly resemble puppy dogs throughout this process.  When we receive a rejection we hang our heads, tails between the legs and whimper.  Our person is not happy with us.  Doom, gloom, and there is no spark of joy left in our world.  Conversely, when we receive a request for pages, invitation to revise and submit, or other good news/feedback, we are bounding with delight.  Tails wagging, eyes alight, we are impossible to contain- such is our joy.  “Who’s a good writer? You’re a good writer, yes you are!”
My poor husband has been living with this emotional roller coaster for some time.  Perhaps it’s just as well that he travels so much.  Dealing with me close up every day might be more than our marriage can handle.  Then again, he is an amazing man.
We’re in a good stretch right now.  I recently attended the San Francisco Writers’ Conference and had a grand ol’ happy puppy time: attending amazing classes, meeting wonderful people, and pitching my new book to fabulous agents.  Between the conference and my previous queries I now have four full copies of Sea Strand with agents, plus a few partials.  Today, I am on cloud nine.  Tomorrow?  We’ll just have to wait and see.
The thing is, I don’t see this process ending.  Once one has an agent, the nail-biting continues until the book is sold to a publisher, next the stomach wrenching progress of book sales and reader reactions.
And then, there’s the next book.
Still, I wouldn’t change a thing. (Well, I’d have an agent, a book deal, and be out promoting Sea Strand, but besides that, I wouldn’t change a thing.)  I’ve been writing stories since I was six. (I found my first one the other day.  It was a story about a lady bug.  I served as writer and illustrator, thank you very much.)  I’ll always be writing.  It will always be what makes me happy.  There will forever be voices in my head, characters wanting out, and stories spilling forth.  I’m very lucky that I have this certainty.
Or, I need professional help, but let’s just go with lucky, shall we?
In honor of those discerning, intelligent, and fabulous agents who have shown such impeccable taste and requested my work to review I give you this week’s Musical Monday song, Happy by Pharrell Williams.
And when/if the rejections come again?  We’ll just fall off that bridge when we get there.
In the meantime, enjoy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6Sxv-sUYtM

This post was written by Erika Gardner.  If you enjoyed it, please sign up to receive updates on this blog.  Or you can follow Erika on Twitter @Erika_Gardner or “Like” her Facebook page Erika Gardner- Writer and Storyteller.  Check out her contributions to the BBB Blog.