Several years ago, three large publishing houses were looking over my series for middle-grade readers. I waited daily for the phone to ring or a text to come from my agent telling me that such and such publishing house was ready to sign me. I tried to be positive, seeing my climb to publication as a ladder. Every time something good happened that promoted me or my books, I added a rung to that ladder–speaking events, book signings, TV appearances, interviews, blog appearances, successful appointments with editors, book signings, contacts, endorsements. You name it, I counted it! As long as I didn’t let go, I was still climbing my ladder!
But, the days passed, my anxiousness rose, and I began to wonder if I would ever get to shout my victory.
The call came, but it was not the one I wanted. One right after another I heard the houses loved my series, however, my books were not a good fit as they were written for one of the hardest markets in publishing. Let’s be honest here, I was a wee bit devastated. I had worked so hard, climbed so far, and waited for so long. There might have even been a few tears. Despite the news, I continued to climb with a new agent! (I’m pretty sure she manufactures ladder rungs out of her basement–oh this lady encourages me!) We would go through another round of submissions, only to hear the same result.
Many times I wanted to let go, but I had already added such big, sturdy rungs! I know so many writers out there who would love to be in my position–agented and making it to the publishing board of these houses.
Somewhere along the way, my agent delicately told me the middle-grade series would have to remain independently published under my own imprint, we would no longer try to sell them to a traditional publishing house. I thought that I was done with the climb. This is where my ladder would end. I would hang out writing on the rung of independently publishing children’s books for the rest of my life, which really isn’t a bad thing at all, but it wasn’t what I had envisioned.
But those fabulous young readers continued pushing me upwards and I didn’t even know it! “Here’s a picture I drew you, Mrs. Brandenburg” – I add a rung. “I stayed up past my bedtime reading, Mrs. Lauren!” – Another rung. I dove deeper into the craft of writing, teaching, editing, learning–rung after rung!
Then, my agent had an idea.
“Write it,” she said. “Write that other one. You know, the one you were going on about the other day; the one about that man.” (I’m still being a bit hush-hush on the details until she gives me the go ahead).
My response, “I was planning to write that once I finished my children’s series.”
“I think you should write it now. You’ll pitch it to publishing houses in four months at the next conference.”
So, I did. I wrote. I pitched. I rewrote. I pitched again. And now . . . I’m waiting! (Of course, I’m still writing for the kiddos. I’ve got to keep writing, right?) With a new vision and a story that captured me more than I could have ever imagined, I hung another rung on my ladder–a big, strong, ridiculously funny, lovely, macaron filled rung. My children’s books had brought me to this point, but my journey had not plateaued, it just changed. I’m climbing–higher–once again adding rungs every time I teach in a classroom, speak at a conference, or get a blip of encouragement from my agent.
I don’t know how many rungs I will have to climb to get to my goal–there’s no way of knowing. I could wake up tomorrow with that infamous text or email, taking a giant leap. It could happen! And it just might! Then I will get to start climbing another ladder.
Our Doubling Project journey is not that much different. Jamie recently completed the requirements for his real estate license and has signed on to work with a company in the Nashville area. Jamie hasn’t let go of his Doubling ladder either. It’s still there, building one sale at a time . . . it’s just moving a little slower than it was, intentionally.
Double to Be Debt Free pops into our discussions at least once a day in our home. It’s part of his journey–one that he wants to take with you, but just like I needed to be told to write that thing I had planned to put off for at least another four, five, maybe six years–that one thing that recharged my love of writing and forced me to evaluate my motives, Jamie needed to add that real estate rung to his ladder. It’s the rung he needs to successfully lead us into Doubling to Be Debt Free.
So, stay tuned, dear friends and Doublers! There’s no telling what you will hear from us next–maybe I’ll land that publishing contract I always wanted . . . maybe we’ll ask you to join us on our new Doubling journey;)
When you’re climbing high, people usually say, “Don’t look down.” But I say, go for it! Look how far you have come! Look at all those rungs on your ladder! I hope you will continue to build your ladder–use every little victory as a reason to climb. You’ll only fail if you let go.
Keep climbing, friends!
Lauren
(Shameless plug: For more info on my children’s books and my current work in progress, feel free to visit with me @ www.LaurenHBrandenburg.com)
