Cue the insomnia!
I've managed to get about 6 hours of sleep per night, actually, so I'm functioning better than expected. 🙃
Here is my showcase entry & I'm dang proud of it: https://showcase.pitchwars.org/pw2019-adult-the-laos-and-their-volcano-house-ownvoices-contemporary-family-drama/
While the mentees are tallying up their requests, I'm sitting here just staying calm and mum. It's been a stressful rollercoaster of a ride regardless of whether mentees are learning about their requests or not. It's human nature to compare #'s, and then to question our purpose in life and even our existence. There's a lot to process this week, but I'm going to try my best to bring these Pitch Wars reflections to a close.
1. COMMUNITY
I said this last week, and I'll say it again. I came here first and foremost for the people. From the admin and mentors to the mentees and participating agents, I'm learning all kinds of new and important things about myself as a writer and - surprisingly - as a person. I've made some really supportive friends in the same stage of the journey as I am. Yes, I was previously agented, and I learned some valuable lessons there. But all of the mentees are in the same boat right now, and on Tuesday we will all begin querying.
2. IT'S NOT A RACE
We're all leaving the starting line at the same time - on Tuesday, February 11, but that doesn't mean we're competing against each other or trying to reach the finish line first. That's because THERE IS NO FINISH LINE. There is more writing, more revising, more editing to come. Frankly, I'm grateful for the long journey I took to get to this starting line, and I'm planning on remaining the snail that I am. I prepared my list of TOP agents (some who did not participate in the showcase), and will review the requesting agents to decide whom to query during the showcase period. Then the waiting -- and more waiting -- begins. And I'm okay with waiting!
3. CONFIDENCE
The biggest thing I've processed this week is how confident I am in my writing and manuscript. I'm so ready to do my slow walk off the starting line on Tuesday and see what the querying world has in store for me!
I think that's it for now! I know I promised some behind the scenes details on how the mentees are handling the showcase, but it runs the whole spectrum of super low to extremely high, and honestly, the ones on the ends of the spectrum have lost the plot. The Lows are mopey and feeling insignificant. The Highs are acting like kings and queens (partly because some people are treating them like that or even calling them that). It's gotten a bit ugly.
Let me remind everyone: We are all equal. We are all winners.
I truly believe that.
Next week, I'll offer a little insight on the initial query process -- from generating my agent list to sending out the goods! Until then, wish me luck in the trenches! :)