Thursday, August 16, 2012

Agented or Bust

I have made a decision that can only end with me finding an agent. If history has taught me anything, it's that there is one phrase that will get me what I want.

I WILL NOT CUT MY HAIR UNTIL...

Since I was old enough to decide when it was time to get my hair cut, I've been a short haired girl. For my wedding, I grew it out just long enough to have an up-do and promptly cut it the next week. I like having short hair. My husband would prefer it long. I don't really care what he thinks, in this matter. It's my hair.

So, I've been growing it out for a while and was ready to chop it off when it occurred to me: I could use my hair as motivation. I know it sounds silly, but if it's fear of rejection that stops me from sending out my ms., then fear of having long hair is going to push me to get over it.

I know it may sound silly to you, but having longer hair is a constant reminder that only through doing the work can I actually accomplish my goal. Each strand that falls in my face is a challenge to take a risk, whether it's in the submission process or writing my next book.

And, it's a physical manifestation of my commitment to my career. So one of two things is going to happen. I am either going to have lots of hair to donate to Locks of Love OR I am going to have an agent.

So here it is, without further ado: I WILL NOT CUT MY HAIR UNTIL I HAVE SIGNED WITH AN AGENT. (I reserve to change this decision based on the fact that I have free-will, but not before one year has passed. What did you expect? There's always fine print,)

So, reader peeps, what goal are you working toward and what is the zaniest thing you would be willing to do to make it happen. All superstitions allowed. Leave a comment and follow this blog to enter. My favorite answer gets a signed bookmark from Erica O'Rourke, author of the amazing Torn Trilogy! 

No matter what you have to do to push yourself, BE PASSIONATE about the goal and the destination!

4 comments:

  1. Lol nice. My hair is already too long so I can't do that and I'm too pregnant to want to give something up lol. I will say that I won't stop writing even if I never get an agent : )

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  2. I just started following you (I think I found you in the WriteOnCon forums?) As much as I want an agent, I don't think I'd be brave enough to do something like this. Good luck, and I hope you can cut it really soon! Maybe GUTGAA will do the trick...

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  3. Who knows, you might fall in love with your long hair!

    I was considering wearing my "What Would Buffy Do" t-shirt until I got an agent but I don't think work would appreciate that. Maybe I'll just wear it in bed. As long as I don't wash it it'll have the same effect, right?

    PS - New follower via WriteonCon

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  4. Given the length of my hair, this would not motivate me. Maybe for me it would be cutting it. But that doesn't work right, because then I'd cut it now and it would still be cut when I finally get an agent?? I'd be willing to stalk Marcus. Yeah, that's it. Maybe I could think of it like a fast -- I will abstain from __fill in the blank__ until I get an agent. Chocolate? Too predictable. Coffee? Bite your tongue! Way too drastic! Reading? I'd die. I know. I will not clean my house -- or do dishes -- or laundry -- until I get an agent. Yeah, that's it. Or not. So I guess I'll just keep on submitting and I'll be lame and boring while I do it. It's a good question... I just really don't know. P.S. I like your hair the length it is :-)

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