Trying to Fly by Annie Try

By -
 
There, I've typed it.  Trying to Fly by Annie Try - it's the title of my latest novel with my pen name.  I can't decide if it is really silly to have a title that rhymes with one's name, or a very clever ploy.

But then, I'm having trouble with quite a few decisions lately, well, those that are about my writing.  I started the year with four novels to finish.  As I may have mentioned before, three are ready to go now.  But where are they going?  My attempts to find publishers haven't come to much really, but then I am rather easily discouraged.  I need to take a leaf out of my own book.

The protagonist in TtF is grappling with agoraphobia - in the course of battling her fears she gets caught up in solving a 50-year old mystery and her life takes on new meaning.  But this isn't a plug about the book (no, really, it isn't!) but about the fact that I have new challenges in front of me and must be careful not to decide that I really can't fly, without even trying.

This is where my novel ceases to be of great use as an illustration - because right at the beginning a person does physically try to fly and, of course, he can't.  But on the other hand, the main character moves forward precisely because she is really making the effort.

I love that verse in Proverbs 6, 'Go to the ant, you sluggard, consider its ways and be wise.'  I'm a bit of a sluggard, inclined to rather sit back and hope something will come of the few things I have done towards my goals.  So I go and write a bit more rather than do the hard work of trying to convince a publisher that this will be the best book on her/his list.  The latter certainly doesn't come easy for me.  I have a friend who is a busy, busy bee (ant?), rushing around finding outlets for her books, self-promoting, selling, becoming a success.  You may know her, or someone like her.

We can't all be the same, it's true.  But a little more effort is certainly required of me - so I had better go with the motto our family embraced as its own: 'Try, try and try again.'

Annie Try is the name used for writing fiction by Angela Hobday, Acting Chair of ACW.  She has several publications, one is her first novel 'Losing Face'.  She is a clinical psychologist who hopes to retire sometime.

Comments

  1. Wendy H. Jones8 November 2015 at 08:33

    You will get there. You are an excellent writer as I know from reading your last book. Be confident in yourself and your book

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Annie Try8 November 2015 at 14:24

      Thanks Wendy - I guess you worked out who that busy bee is!

      Delete
  2. Deborah Jenkins8 November 2015 at 08:47

    I think it's a great title, and I love your writing! Looking forward to reading it :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Annie Try8 November 2015 at 14:25

      Thank you Deborah - I look forward to finding a publisher!

      Delete
    2. Annie Try8 November 2015 at 14:31

      Thank you Deborah - good to know I have one sale in the bag when it's published!

      Delete
  3. Mel Menzies8 November 2015 at 09:36

    I loved this book when I read the manuscript and I think any publisher who turns it down is mad! So there! Apart from being brilliantly written, the whole concept is one that many people will relate to. We may not all have agorophobia in the literal sense (i.e. fear of going outside) but I'm sure many of us - like you and me, Angela - have a mental agorophobia in that we're afraid of branching out. So you've got a good story here. Great characters. Beautifully written. And a message for your readers that says, as Jesus did in effect, just get out there and do it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Annie Try8 November 2015 at 14:42

      I've just replied to this once, but I seem to have lost it, so will try to remember what I said:
      Basically, you are the only one who has read the whole novel so I really appreciate what you say. I am glad you think it has much wider relevance than just to those interested in agoraphobia - that's what I was trying to achieve. So thank you.

      Delete
  4. Rosemary Johnson8 November 2015 at 09:43

    Great title, Angela. Yes, a really great title. I've written, and finished, several novels, which haven't found a home, but, after a while, I lose confidence in them and, right now as I'm writing this, I'd be ashamed to sub them anywhere.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Annie Try8 November 2015 at 14:33

      Keep going Charlie, and ask someone else in your writing circle to read them. You may well find that they are much, much better than your inner critic tells you they are.

      Delete
  5. Jane Walters8 November 2015 at 09:59

    Thank you Angela, an honest blog which speaks for so many of us - which is exactly what we're supposed to do as writers. I join the others (the many others) who are cheering you on xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Annie Try8 November 2015 at 14:34

      Thank you so much Janey, your encouragement spurs me on!

      Delete
  6. Anonymous8 November 2015 at 13:55

    I think it's a clever title. Anything easy to remember makes it more likely that someone will find and read a book.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Joy Lenton10 November 2015 at 21:48

    I love the snappy-catchy rhyming title too! It makes the book more memorable. Definitely a keeper, I think. Hang in there, Angela. I've only read one of your books but I agree with the comments above. Keep on doing what you're already doing so well. We all get discouraged when we feel stalled, but the work won't write itself. As you press on, write and pray, God is providing for the rest. It will all come good in due time. :) x

    ReplyDelete
  8. Annie Try25 November 2015 at 21:30

    Thank you Joy - what an encouragement! Better go, I have some writing to do . . .

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment