Thanks so much for posting, Jill! You do indeed have time! Keep submitting and keep writing. It CAN happen and when it does, it will all be worth it. Some nights, even now, I have to pinch myself to believe I really am published, and it’s the most satisfying feeling! I can’t encourage you more to keep at it. Cheers to you!

Silly me: I wrote my first novel as a novel because I thought it would be easier to get it first published as a novel, and THEN a screenplay. The writing part was quick and easy and relatively painless. Three months into the search for a literary agent – and granted, I’ve only sent to maybe a dozen – I’m discovering that my skin is thinner than I realised. Some are hilarious – like getting a reject from someone whose name is ‘intern@’ – but others do hurt.

I think it’s the L word: why do they need to tell me they don’t ‘love’ my book? Maybe I’ve been in England too long because a polite ‘it’s not for us’ would suffice. In any case – I’m really heartened to learn that I still have five years and ten months to go before I throw in the towel. I’ve got time!

Very best wishes to you, Monica. You’re an inspiration!

Thanks, Desiree!

Yes! Now I find myself marvelling at how life unfolds in perfecting timing. A good reminder!

I’ve learned that writers need to have a thick skin … still working on that. Thanks, Shadow!

Julie, thank you and keep working on SCENT OF THE SOUL. The title is beautiful!