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Thursday, April 20, 2023

Q is for Querying #AtoZChallenge

#AtoZChallenge 2023 letter Q The proverb is Nana korobi, ya oki which means Fall down seven times, stand up eight.


Hi!
I’m Brandy, a writer of YA fantasy, thrillers and adult fantasy. And the Japanese proverb above encompasses my own personal definition of resilience: the ability to stand up after being knocked down, and a willingness to put yourself in a position to face the same circumstances, even when you know you might get knocked down again. 

Never have I found this more true than with the experience of querying.

question marks

For the writers out there you may associate querying with one of the steps on the path to traditional publishing. This is certainly what I think of. But I think that we all query way more than we realize.
love keyboard

A typical job search parallels querying very closely,
As does using dating apps,
Or, hoping for engagement with blog posts.


In all of these we are selling ourselves, our work, our experience and backgrounds, our interests, packaging them into tidy bundles that we hope will appeal.

And when rejection hits- it hurts.
Batman Robin Grey's Anatomy pick me quote passed

A lot. 

This is where resilience comes in. 

For me resiliency in querying is based on two factors:
Accepting rejection without internalizing it.  My work is being rejected. But others' opinions on my work is not a reflection of my personal worth.
Reminding myself if a door closes, it probably wasn’t the door for me. I don’t want to work with an agent or publisher who doesn’t love my work. 

I think these translate well to other avenues of querying whether it’s in your work or personal life.

When you’re resilient you have the ability to accept rejection, despite how personal it feels, and continue to put yourselves out there.

If you’re writing that means continuing to query your book, or the next book.
If you’re applying to jobs that means continuing to search for a role you want and not settling for the first opening that says yes.
If you’re searching for connection that means continuing to look.
And if you’re putting yourself out there with blog posts, it means taking on challenges like A to Z, to find the right audience and to make connections with other bloggers.


Sure, I fall down a lot, but I always get back up.


#AtoZChallenge 2023 badge

13 comments:

ladyleemanila said...

https://ladyleemanilablog.wordpress.com/2023/04/20/questions-in-quatern/

Pradeep Nair said...

Querying is a vital skill. It helps us discover insights and help us solve problems. It can also be good fun.
Q for Quartz

Susan Sanderson said...

An encouraging post, J. No querying without Questions, which is my Letter Q.
https://suestrifles.wordpress.com/2023/04/20/questions-atozchallenge-2/

Frewin55 said...

Great post...
https://how-would-you-know.com/2023/04/q-queen-of-hearts-quisling-figures-from-history-eponyms.html

Crackerberries said...

Howdy,
I always dislike querying... I don't do it anymore.
You can find out how to lead a Quiet Life or if you are hungry you might like a Quick Pork meal.


Cheers,
Barbie

kaykuala said...

Here we Go Again - Q for Resplendent Quetzal
http://imagery77.blogspot.com/2023/04/resplendent-quetzal.html

Hank

weejars said...

A double meaning with

Q is for Quagmire

Ronel Janse van Vuuren said...

That Batman image is hilarious!

Ronel visiting for Q:
My Languishing TBR: Q
Queen of the Gods: Hera

KJ Scrim said...

I thought about having Query for my Q subject, but to think about writing a query is tough enough. Then to write about writing a query? It made me shudder. Your article is spot on. I'm in good company.
Instead of query I went with Scrabble - specifically the letter Q in Scrabble. Check it out. https://arbitrarydustbunnies.com/2023/04/20/quire-quiddity-quixotic-qi-and-qat/

Erin Penn said...

Get back up 8 times. It's hard, and as you get older, the knees crick and pop, the dizzy steps in, ... but you get up. Great post.
(https://www.erinpenn.com/blog/ - a day off the normal flow due to how my normal posts drop)

Donna B. McNicol said...

You'll never get a YES unless you try - even if it means multiple NOs first.

Donna McNicol - My A to Z Blogs
DB McNicol - Small Delights, Simple Pleasures, and Significant Memories
My Snap Memories - My Life in Black & White

Anne M Bray said...

The Q shoe sketch: https://repeatsamb.blogspot.com/2023/04/atozchallenge-2023-q-is-for-queen.html

Wendy said...

I went with questions

Wendy’s Waffle