Tag: updates

Posted in query, Writing

My First Rejection

Posted on by Kassandra Carrillo

It’s been a few weeks since the beginning of the new year. While some goals are proceeding better than other, there is still progress.

It has been difficult to return to work after a long break, but I’ve gotten used to it again. If I think about, this month has gone by really fast. We’re almost in February. It definitely feels like I’m busy every day.

Luckily, I’ve had to time to work on my current novel – currently named – Clan of Blood. It’s the sequel of the story I’m currently try to publish. I tend to write every day even though it might be a paragraph or two at a time. I do need to get better at setting a writing time for me, but I’m going to focus on the positive notes: I’m writing every day.

One of my goals this year was to start query again. I’m happy to announce that I started querying a novel I’ve called Clan of Ash. It was a bit tough researching the agents that fit my genre. Not only that writing the synopsis was super tough too. It did feel like a hassle mostly because I needed to decided what was most important. I must have written the query letter ten times before I was satisfied.

At times it felt like every version of the query sounded the same but I kept powering through. Clicking send on the emails and on Query Manager was nerve wrecking. I didn’t think I was ready. But to be quite honest, once I did, it was a relief. I took the first step and that’s what matters.

I didn’t send out as many queries as I wanted to but it was close to ten so, I call that a win.

There was an agent I queried on 18th of this month (they were closed through 17th) and guess what?

I got a reply back!

It was so quick.

Back when I had tried to query before, I didn’t get many replies. Usually that meant the agent wasn’t interested in your work so receiving a reply is huge.

With baited breath I opened the email and read it.

I was rejected.

Honestly, I didn’t feel bad. Maybe deep down I knew I was going to be rejected. I feel that being rejected is to be expected. Anything else than that is amazing and great. .

This is probably the first rejection out of many and all I can do now, is hope for the best and keep trying.

Posted in updates, Writing

Adjusting

Posted on by Kassandra Carrillo

It’s definitely been a few weeks since I posted any updates. Overall, I think I’ve adjusted to the new school year. A few students withdrew so it makes it easier. I’m not as stressed anymore and I find myself crocheting and writing more so that’s always a bonus.

On the writing side, as I might have mentioned before, I am no longer seeking to publish my Wattpad story at the moment due to some exciting news coming in October (keep your eyes peeled). So, for now, it stays on the platform.

Since my Wattpad story is out of the picture, I’m working on another story that I’m getting ready to send out. I’ve sent this story out before – a long time ago – I think I’m ready to try again. However, I’ve made some manages to the story and how I wrote it. I’m hoping I’ll finish it by the end of October.

I’m well aware Nation Novel Writing Month is coming up, but I’ll make a different post about it later. For right now, I’m not sure if I’ll participate. I am working on world-building for a novel I’m planning on writing, but it’s still too early to tell.

Here’s hoping I’ll be a bit more consistent on the updates. Until then, take care.

Posted in updates, Writing

Two Week Update

Posted on by Kassandra Carrillo

I survived two weeks of school. All things considered, I’m not as stressed as I was the week before and even last year. However, I’m tired all the time. The transition from summer break to working full time is rough, but I think I’m getting the hang of it.

Sadly, I barely managed to write anything these past two weeks. I’m not very proud of that, but I’m making a conscious effort to write at least a few words a day.

I did get good news from Wattpad. I can’t say anything more until it’s official, but I think it will be good for me and my writing. That being said, the story in question is one I wanted to publish with an agent, but I might not be able to. I need to look into that a bit more. Either way, I have another story I can polish up and send out.

It might take me a bit longer to become a published author, but I’m excited about the opportunity. Besides, making writing a career is a marathon, not a sprint.

Posted in updates, Writing

August . . . It’s coming

Posted on by Kassandra Carrillo

We’re at the end of July which means my work is going to start up again. As far as I know, I’m teaching first grade again. Definitely going to have some changes this year. Hopefully, it won’t be too bad. It also means that my vacation is coming to an end. I won’t have the same amount of time as before.

It’s a little unclear how my work schedule will affect my writing schedule, but I’m hoping it won’t affect it too much. Granted the first two months will be super busy and thankfully, I won’t have extra training (?).

My biggest fear is to stop writing altogether. Sure, writing a sentence or paragraph is still writing, but I want to make faster progress on my WIPs. I’ve gotten into a groove and I don’t want to loose it.

In retrospect, this might cause me unnecessary stress due to the fact that I want to write more but can’t because of my schedule. Then, writing will become a chore and I won’t enjoy it as much and . . .

I’ve definitely been overthinking this.

I think I need to roll with it. Balance is everything.

Posted in updates, Writing

Back from Vacation

Posted on by Kassandra Carrillo

It’s been about two weeks since my last post and boy, has it been busy.

The five hour drive back home wasn’t bad. The heat definitely didn’t make it any better. We went shopping the next day before going to the beach and a water park the next two days. Luckily, I didn’t get sunburned unlike my family. I’m sure they’re still peeling even now despite wearing sunscreen.

My cats were not happy with me when I picked them up. Of course, they changed their minds when it was time for dinner and I fed them. My first cat, Princess, drooled when I petted her and held her in general. I definitely felt guilty for leaving her with the sitter. My second cat, Olive, didn’t seem too upset with my absence, but she has definitely been very cuddly lately.

It wasn’t all fun and games, however. There’s some family drama going on that (thankfully), my immediate family isn’t involved in, but it still put a damper on things. We also had a death in the family, a cousin. Been supporting his family this past week. I didn’t know him very well and it’d been years since we last saw each other. Despite that, it hurts. All I can do is be there for his family and for his parents.

Everything affected my writing schedule, but I know it wasn’t because of laziness or procrastination. Unexpected things happen and we have to roll with the punches. Sometimes, they can be good. Sometimes, they can be bad. All we can do is keep moving forward.