Why We Write
“You should write because you love the shape of stories and sentences and the creation of different words on a page. Writing comes from reading, and reading is the finest teacher of how to write.” ― Annie Proulx
“Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart.” ― William Wordsworth
“One of the few things I know about writing is this: spend it all, shoot it, play it, lose it, all, right away, every time. Do not hoard what seems good for a later place in the book, or for another book; give it, give it all, give it now. The impulse to save something good for a better place later is the signal to send it now. Something more will arise for later, something better. These things fill from behind, from beneath, like well water. Similarly, the impulse to keep to yourself what you have learned is not only shameful, it is destructive. Anything you do not give freely and abundantly becomes lost to you. You open your safe and find ashes.” -Annie Dillard
How We Manage Our Writing
One way I manage my writing is with the free online Query Tracker (QT) service, which makes it easy for writers to search for literary agents. I love that I can narrow my search to suit my particular manuscript—by genre and length—and also by providing links to the agents’ respective agencies, where I can read extensively about the agency itself, what authors it represents, and much more. Locating an updated list of literary agents currently accepting queries and providing an organized space to keep track of who I submit to and when is immediately helpful.
Have you used Query Tracker? I’ve been using it for several years now, and I find it very useful. In the beginning I used it to research agents, looking for professionals who represented my genre of fiction. Gradually, I felt ready to send out queries and began the laborious process. I also keep a paper file where I jot down notes about the various agents’ manuscript wish lists and guidelines, as well as the dates I submitted to them. That is my messy but personalized backup, and I intend to continue the practice, but it’s also extremely helpful to use the free online Query Tracker.
Over time, I’ve found that I also greatly appreciate the features for recording the date I get a response (if ever), and the type of response. Agents request different content. Some accept only a query letter. Some want a certain number of sample pages along with the query (the number of pages varies). Some request a synopsis. Most of them have a loosely specified timeline given for responding to queries, with many of them stating that if you don’t hear from them within that time frame, it counts as a pass on your manuscript. If you get a response asking for more pages, or the full manuscript (Hallelujah!), there’s a place on QT for you to record that information as well. You can organize the submission chart alphabetically by agent or agency or by date submitted. This is just a quick overview.
In my case, after sending out over 80 deeply researched and personally tailored queries to agents, with a couple of requests for more material that sadly didn’t bring an offer of representation, I went back to the drawing board. I revised the manuscript again on my own and then had the whole thing professionally edited. That accomplished, I felt ready to start submitting again, but this time I decided to submit the manuscript to small publishers that accept submissions without agent representation. I’ve read there is a better chance of getting traditionally published going this route.
Query Tracker has a search engine for publishers as well, so it was easy for me to search for publishers, again by genre and length, to research those who published my genre, and to begin submitting again. Currently I have 7 submissions out with these small presses, one of which contacted me within a few days. It’s currently under review there, but it could be some time before I hear anything, so I’m keeping the other submissions out there, and will continue sending out more.
It’s still early days in this process, but with the new year just hours away, I’m energized about new possibilities! I’d love to hear about your writing life journey—not only the path to publishing, but about all aspects of this beautifully messy creative life we share. With Love!
Photo by Lori Pohlman
LakeArrowheadLadyWriter 
hang in there dear! wishing you the best for 2026.
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And you, dear da-AL!💕💃🏻
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This post truly resonated with me. The opening quotes alone are such a powerful reminder that writing isn’t just about outcomes, it’s about devotion to the craft itself. Annie Dillard’s words especially stayed with me: the idea of giving everything now instead of saving it for later feels both liberating and terrifying in the best way.
I also really appreciated how honestly you shared the logistics of the writing life. Tools like Query Tracker don’t often get talked about with this level of clarity, and your experience, both the persistence and the recalibration, captures the reality so many writers live quietly.
Eighty tailored queries is no small act of faith. Your willingness to revise, invest in professional editing, and then explore small presses speaks volumes about your commitment to the work, not just the destination.
There’s something deeply encouraging about how you frame this journey as “early days” filled with possibility rather than impatience. That mindset is a gift to fellow writers reading this and wondering if they should keep going.
As someone who documents a different kind of creative journey through travel and storytelling, I found this especially inspiring. I share travel experiences and reflections on my blog The Strong Traveller, and I’d love for fellow lovers of stories and lived experiences to join me there.
I also bring those stories to life visually on my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TheStrongTraveller, if movement, place, and narrative speak to you, I think you’ll enjoy it.
Wishing you patience, courage, and that long-awaited hallelujah moment very soon. Thank you for sharing your beautifully messy creative life with such generosity.
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Thank you for your kind words! I am happy to have found you and look forward to seeing more about your adventures. I am at a loss for words at this moment to express my gratitude for your response— but please know it’s appreciated. All the best!
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All the best to you too Lori. Let me know if you got any suggestions for our blog and our youtube channel, getting feedback from you would be great for us to improve.
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I love Query Tracker. I know there is a free version, but I found the annual $25 for the premium version well worth it. We’re on a similar track, Lori. I wrote a MG story, had it professionally edited, and then sent out probably 50 queries. I knew the odds were enormously large in the first place, so I was hardly crushed when I didn’t receive any offers. As a relatively new writer, I never expected one, but I’m going to try again. That was a year ago. I pushed that one aside because I needed a break from it, but I plan to open it up again after I finish my current project (humor), which has been so much fun. That one is getting close to send to my editor, and then I’ll revisit the MG book. I plan to eventually self-publish the MG book because I’m proud of it, and I’ve worked too hard on it to not do that. Like you, I’ve decided to target smaller publishers this time or new agents without an established client list. My rationale is while they may not have as many contacts, they also may be in a position to work harder to build up their client list.
I like many of the same features on QueryTracker that you do, especially all the data on the agents, what genres they’re looking for, and who they represent.
By the way, I just finished a wonderful book by longtime literary agent Kate McKean who details the entire publishing process from start to finish and offers some great insights. She also has been down the road we’re both on because she also writes and had years of rejections coming from the writing side of things before landing a deal on this writing book: https://www.amazon.com/Write-Through-Insiders-Publishing-Creative-ebook/dp/B0DHV29W15/ I highly recommend it if you want to know about the entire process agents, publishers, editors, and authors go through in bringing a book to life.
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