Learning to Swim

My 2 y/o goddaughter loves water. She used to hate it. I mean screaming hate it. But now she loves it.  So, with her being more comfortable in water, I take the monkey swimming.

She's an independent little girl and, despite her age, always tries to let go of my hands when she's in the deeper parts of the pool (even though I don't let her - I'm a soft touch, but I'm not insane). But her confidence always makes me smile. 

And it got me thinking about writing (come on, you knew I'd take this to some writing level). Leaning to write and learning to swim are very similar.

There's the trepidation of dipping your toe in the water or, for a writer, the idea. The rush of cold shocking your body from your comfort zone as you move deeper into the pool, or start to type.

You take your time at first. You stay in the shallow end, maybe you hold someones hand -- in my Goddaughter's case that's me -- for a writer it may be a mentor, a writing book or a forum. The hand holder helps you. They build up your confidence and teach you some of the skills you need to learn to swim/write.

You practice. Sure you may swallow some water/ delete lots of words, but you don't give up. Over time you gain the confidence you need to push out on your own. Dip your head underwater/start a new idea. You gain strength. Keep yourself afloat.

Sure, the lifeguard/critique group is always there. Always watching, waiting to jump in and help if you need/ask for it. You know you are never alone.

But you are stronger. You are braver.

It won't happen overnight. It may take weeks, months even to learn to swim/write. But you never give up. Because practice makes perfect.

How is an agent like an eReader?

                                                                                        Image: guardian.co.uk

So I'm thinking of doing the thing that I, as an I'll-love-the-feel-of-real-books-in-my-hand-forever-and-ever type person, dread... I'm thinking (I've been 'thinkin' for at least 6 months, I can't rush these decisions. It's not a cookie) of getting an eReader. Why? My books are threatening to overtake my room like the Triffids in that movie. 

Problem: The options are astounding. There's the Kindle, the Nook, the Nook Colour, the Sony eReader, iPad, and other various brands out there. And everyone seems to have a preference to a certain type. Most agents seem to talk about reading submissions on Kindles. Then there are the iPad devotees. 

Buying an eReader takes a lot of research. I've trawled the interwebs for reviews, the varying prices of eBooks & the readers themselves. It's hard.

It's a little like researching agents.

You read Query Tracker, Literary Rambles, Agent Query, Absolute Write (and the other various sites out there). You read agent interviews, look at the clients they represent, query preferences, books sold *insert long list of variables here* You settle on a few, taylor your query and hit send.

You get rejections. You get requests. 

Then the miracle happens, you get *all the numbers* offers of representation (No subtext here I'm afraid). They call you. They love your writing. You are their Kindle/Nook/iPad of choice. You chat. You ask for referral from an author/s perhaps (lets call those your product review) and you sit back and think...

Are they the right agent/eReader for me? 

And the answer? As with most things it's personal preference. 

Just like choosing an eReader. You pick who fits you the best. 

Over to you. Do you have an eReader? How do you decide to choose an agent to query?