Writing a Query Letter is a lot Like Lice Removal

I have come to the conclusion, writing a query letter, worthy of sending out to agents, is a lot like de-lousing my child's head.

Let me explain.

So I have been working and struggling to get my query letter for my young adult novel, cleaned up and to the point. I had a bunch of adjectives I didn't need, but I felt they completed the query, until- I was able to comb through it and pick them out. Just like the little tiny nits that tried to take over my son's head, so were these adjectives (I call them my "ly" words). I removed all "ly" words, but a couple, and boy did it sound a lot better.

I proof read and looked at each and every word, seeing if they were right and perfect. I wanted to make sure I didn't leave anything that would pollute my query. Just like when I had the painstaking job of combing out each section of my child's head, making sure there was nothing left that could re-infect him. (oh I know, don't even go there, I'm still totally freaked out)

My hands ache, my wrists are toast, and my neck's so stiff I can't turn it to save my life. But at least now I have a pretty decent query and my kid is lice/nit free.

Yeah, I had the people that totally freaked out and were negative. Just like when you tell people about your dream of becoming published. They tell you how hard it is or how much work it's all going to be. I know it's hard and to have people reminding me it's hard, is as ridiculous as believing all kids with lice are dirty.

Anyway, it's time to focus on the next step~ querying agents, show them what I can do. Just in time to have my son cleared to go back to school. Hurray for hard work. Now is not the time to rest on my laurels, I have queries to email and bedding to wash.

In all I've became a little wiser to querying and lice removal. I've learned that most people still hold major fear towards querying and head lice. I understand the amount of work it takes to stay in control of your emotions. And I've learned that, "hurry up and wait" isn't always fun.

The bright side, because you always have to find a ray of hope in a pile of hot steaming crap~ My kid's hair has never been as clean and realistically, I count my blessings every day that I have a healthy, strong, and resilient little dude!

So I go forward hugging my kid, scanning his head, and get back to making the best query ever!