Comments on: Guest Blog by Sara Beitia: Take Vienna, Dammit

By: Stirling Bennett

Stirling Bennett — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 12:56:13 +0000

What a great story…I have a birthday coming up, with certain goals attached…it could totally happen! You are EVIDENCE!

By: Karen Schwartz

Karen Schwartz — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 07:07:54 +0000

Sara, I came over from the blueboards to read your story. Thanks for sharing and reminding us all that it's persistence that is needed not blind optimism or pessimism. Very inspiring! I like the travel while you query idea too! LOL

By: Sheela Chari

Sheela Chari — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 05:26:59 +0000

Sara,

I came here from Verla's…I very much enjoyed your publication story. Interestingly, I got my offer of representation over email while I was traveling, too. I felt like I was reading about my own experience when I read yours! Congratulations on all your accomplishments! I look forward to seeing your book in the fall!

-Sheela

By: Julia

Julia — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 05:02:19 +0000

Awesome blog post, Sara!

By: Curtis Moser

Curtis Moser — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 16:52:02 +0000

Sara, what a great story. I'm long past 30 now and still studying the craft. In fact, I recently re-enrolled in school as a creative writing major after a long hiatus, and am thrilled to be learning how to improve my writing. I'm excited to read your debut. I'm from Idaho, and the potato state needs more Hemingways.

Love your blog.

By: Priya Parmar

Priya Parmar — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 13:44:48 +0000

Congratulations! It is funny that you wrote this as my birthday is tomorrow and I was thinking today about the freak out 'OMG I am thirty three just finishing my first manuscript with no agent and no publisher' birthday I had two years ago. It is true. The end of the freaking out about getting published road arrives in a sudden, swift bump. As of my last birthday I had found a super fantastic agent who sold my book to my dream publishers (Touchstone/Simon and Schuster) and now my book will be coming out next January. It is true! You are never as far back as you think you are! Congratulations again!

By: Suzanne Casamento

Suzanne Casamento — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 12:38:26 +0000

Sara, I totally get it. Yes, we have to plunge on anyway. And you're doing great. Take it from the girl who's looking at 38. ; )

By: Chantal Kirkland

Chantal Kirkland — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 11:50:38 +0000

Wow, this is a really uplifting story. I turn thirty this year and I'm running the cycle now. You give me hope.

Thank you.

By: Stacey

Stacey — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 11:36:10 +0000

I have always considered myself optimistic with a healthy sense of pessimism, though the pessimistic part was growing uncomfortably more so with each rejection. I'd even begun blaming my thought process for sabotaging my success (a la The Secret and other similar works, and their fear-inducing idea that you have brought everything bad on yourself). I'd like to thank you for your refreshing approach that maybe hard work and talent do really mean something, and we all must pay our dues (thought I'm sure most of us writer-types feel we've paid more than our fair share!). Thank you – I'll be watching for your book this Fall. Congrats to Super Agent and Sara!