If I can…

If I can single-handedly kill a humongous hornet in my house every spring…then I can handle rejection.

If I can enter the basement where the mice and squirrels scurry about…then I can handle rejection.

If I can apologize to my children when I lose my patience…then I can handle rejection.

If I can teach all my children to read…then I can kill my darlings.

If I can make tomato soup with a bunch of first graders even though I had no clue how to use the fancy onion chopper…then I can kill my darlings.

If I can pack up and spend a day at the ocean with toddlers (even though my parents helped)…then I can kill my darlings.

If I can clean out my bedroom closet and give a quarter of my clothes and shoes to goodwill…then I can send more queries out.

If I can take the high road when dealing with friends…then I can send more queries out.

If I can still watch American Idol, even though Adam Lambert is not on the show this year…then I can send out more queries.

If I can spend a whole year writing and revising a manuscript… then I can be brave enough to send out queries, accept rejection, kill my darlings, and then send out more queries.

And if I can do it…so can you!

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18 Responses to If I can…

  1. Ansha Kotyk April 14, 2010 at 10:26 am #

    Here, here! 🙂 Love your last line. 🙂

  2. Kris April 14, 2010 at 10:51 am #

    Yes you can!

  3. The Alliterative Allomorph April 14, 2010 at 12:24 pm #

    Nicely put! I’ll keep all that in mind … 🙂

  4. Jody Hedlund April 14, 2010 at 1:00 pm #

    Wonderful inspiration today, Laura!

  5. Kelly Polark April 14, 2010 at 1:03 pm #

    I heard Adam was on Idol last night! (I don’t generally watch, but I do like Adam’s music!
    (And yes, we can!)

  6. Laura April 14, 2010 at 1:50 pm #

    Ansha – I figured you would!

    Kris – Thanks!

    AA – if you need any tips on killing hornets, let me know!

    Jody – Thanks!

    Kelly – Yes, and he’s singing tonight at the reveal!

  7. Kristin Gray April 14, 2010 at 2:36 pm #

    Hee hee! LOVE IT! I’ve been slacking on PB subs. Thanks for the motivation. Happy Wednesday!

  8. Patti Nielson April 14, 2010 at 2:40 pm #

    I love your list. I can totally relate to teaching my kids to read and apologizing to them when I lose my patience.

  9. Tina Lee April 14, 2010 at 3:16 pm #

    If I can get through this #@! revision, than maybe I can be as brave as Laura and send out queries! Good work!

  10. Stina Lindenblatt April 14, 2010 at 3:17 pm #

    This is great stuff! I’m going to have to write a little reminder for myself.

    Thanks for visiting my blog today. 😀

  11. Susan R. Mills April 14, 2010 at 3:48 pm #

    Yes, we can do it!

  12. Laura April 14, 2010 at 4:21 pm #

    Kristin – Yes! Get them out there!

    Patti – Thanks for stopping by and commenting!

    Tina – Take your time and polish up that manuscript til it shines!

    Stina – Thanks for following and commenting!

    Susan – Yes we can!

  13. Sherrie Petersen April 14, 2010 at 4:34 pm #

    Perfect timing! I’m getting ready to query too 🙂

  14. Terry Lynn Johnson April 14, 2010 at 4:42 pm #

    So great! I love it!
    One thing I’ve learned, take your time with polishing before you submit. Then – go wild and brave. Good for you.

  15. Laura Pauling April 14, 2010 at 5:40 pm #

    Sherrie – Best of luck!!!

    Terry – I agree. Polish. Polish. Polish.

  16. Paul Greci April 14, 2010 at 10:45 pm #

    Loved your poem. Good luck with the querying!!

  17. Robert Guthrie April 15, 2010 at 2:26 am #

    Thanks for the step up from that little engine thinking it can. No longer thinking but knowing. A simple fact.

  18. Catherine A. Winn April 15, 2010 at 5:26 pm #

    Thank you! I needed that little push!

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