Nation, check out this letter:
I’ve had a Big Agent at one of the Best Agencies in NYC. She wasn’t able to sell my novel, but I got to see the editor rejections and they all had nice things to say. More than one asked to see something new from me. My agent fired me after it didn’t sell. I threw that novel away and wrote Novel 2. I sent out queries on a Tuesday and had four offers by Thursday. I picked a youngish, hungry agent at one of the Other Best Agencies. He sent my ms out early this week. My question is: how do I know if I have writing talent? I added all this other stuff because it would appear to be in the “pro” column. But how do you KNOW? I read my stuff and I know it’s competent and maybe even good, but how do you know if you’ve written something that really jumps off the page? Is such a thing even possible to know?
Okay, little lady, let’s break this down, as Miss Beverly used to say in step class.
“Big Agent…one of the best agencies in NYC.” First, if you weren’t with Betsy Lerner, you weren’t with a Big Agent at one of the best agencies in New York. You were at a puppy mill.
“The agent fired me.” This just blows my mind. There are plenty of reasons to “fire” a client, but a book not selling sure ain’t one of them. The only real reason to fire a client is if they are unreasonably abusive and fail to gift you at Christmas.
“I threw that novel away and wrote number 2.” That is the fighting spirit this blog endorses unequivocally.
“I picked a youngish, hungry agent.” That, too, is how I like them. Good job by you.
“How do I know if I have talent?” How do you know if you have halitosis, a bad credit rating, a gift for small talk. How does one know anything in life? Personally, I know my self worth because I step on the scale every morning.
“Competent, maybe even good.” Hmmm. Sounds like WFM. (That’s Writer’s False Modesty.) After all, we’ve had shark agent, good editor letters, sent out your manuscript on Tuesday and got offers of representation on Thursday. Maybe what you’re asking is, can this all fall apart again? Yes, sadly it can. But my guess is that you’re going to the world series with this one. The part of your letter that makes me say this is that you started book 2 on the heels of that devastating experience. That, to me, says it all. Talent will only get you so far. Drive, tenacity, and the ability to harness new material will keep you in the race. We wish you luck and please write again and let us know how you make out.
Betsy Lerner 
Expect it; they’re human (most of them). Years ago I had an agent – prominent – who took on one of my books, enthsiastic as hell, sent it out to 4 editors in big publishing house, all turned the book down, and I never heard from the agent again, despite emails and calling- no, not every month, I waited three months, email, 2 months called. No response. So, I moved on and wrote more books., but made sure I wrote her an email telling that I was moving on- just in case years later my book sold and the agent would come back and say, Hey, I represent that book! Being ignored is like being “fired?” I guess I could have used a little feedback and I would have appreciated it. But, that’s the writing life; lonely, hopeful, despairing, waking up and seeing Kafka lying next to you, waking up and seeing George Clooney next to you. Oh, you beautiful people!
It sounds like you are in a good spot and made good choices, the best choice being to write book number two. I found my match on number three.
Besides writing a great book and finding an agent you think is the right match for you, there is a lot that is out of your control.
Congratulations and keep writing.
How do you know if you have talent?
I think the question reduces “talent” to a binary system and talent is not binary, it’s a continuum. It’s not whether you have it or not. It’s whether you’re using what you have.
The amount of time you spend asking yourself (or asking others, expecting a useful answer) whether or not you have talent is time that could be better spent simply assuming that you have none and not letting that stop you.
Anyway, that’s how I get through the day.
P.S. I’m reading “In Cold Blood” for the first time. Wow: Capote has a masterful control over the narrative and a light touch in integrating his obviously massive research. But I’m bad when it comes to reading between the lines: Are Dickie and Perry gay?
Vivian: This is the best response I’ve ever heard regarding the “do I have talent” question. Plus I haven’t heard the “using what you have” strategy since my mother described a very heavy woman in shul who, with a good suit, stylish hair, pumps and nicely applied makeup who looked quite attractive, using what she had.
But the even more brilliant part of the reply, assume you have none and don’t let that stop you. My new mantra. Thank you. Betsy
Betsy, that scale comment knocked me on my ass, cuz, you know…me too:)
Stumbled across your blog the other day, and I’ve been reading your posts since. You’re writing makes me smile. I hope to be repped by an agent like you someday.
Hi,
I’m the chica who wrote the email. First, THANK YOU Betsy for your reply. And thank you other guys for your replies too.
I had to reply to WFM though. Sometimes I read my stuff and think it’s good. Sometimes it looks like crap but everyone else is screaming it’s great. So I literally have no ability to judge my own writing.
Re: being fired. I was surprised too. But the big agents really are about making money fast – if you’re not producing, you’re just taking up space. As a capitalist, I’m cool with that. It just sucks when you’re on the losing end of a transaction.
My current agency contract only covers the current book and any sequels so I assume I could be out of luck if this doesn’t work out again (and you can bet your lunch money I will query Betsy if that happens.)
Meanwhile, it’s been six days (including a weekend) that my manuscript has been on the desks of editors. I am hoping to hear something this week. Fingers crossed!
This is great. One of the anoymous questioners of Betsy finally chiming in. Great to have you here and good luck.
The suspense must be killing you. It would be me.
I’ll keep my fingers are crossed for you too.
You’re frickin’ hilarious.
As a writer in a similar scenario (book one crashed and working on book two) this post is a shot in the arm.
I’ve been scrolling older posts after trying to finish a revision and finding out I just might not have it in me to push past being sick of the novel and my writing. I was hoping for inspiration to push the rest out. I found it in this post which mirrors my own situation (though the agent didn’t give up on me).
Thanks, Betsy. Your blogs are such a rare combination of wildly entertaining and helpful/inspiring/motivating.