Photo by dotcompals via Flickr
No, I don't mean like a daydream, where you hope that you'll write one query letter to the one perfect agent, and they'll call you right back the very next day, begging you to sign with them. I mean a dream while you're sleeping.
Some time ago, I was reading a lot about how to get an agent, how to make your query really stand out, etc (not so much now, I’m trying to concentrate on revisions), and I guess all that psyching myself out finally seeped into my subconscious.
My dream:
The agent is hosting a birthday party, kind of Great Gatsby style, but the dresses aren’t as fancy and there are pets. Everywhere. Because it’s a “Bring Your Pet Party.” So there are all these cats and dogs, and other furry animals running around knocking the furniture over, but nobody seems to mind. Because they have a goal: to woo the agent.
That’s right. The party consists mostly of writers who are looking for an agent, myself included. So I’m not surprised when I walk into a room and a hoard of admirers is clustering around the agent. She’s sitting in front of a piano, and I can’t see it from all the people, but I know it’s there. (Remember: it’s a dream.) I have no idea how I’m going to make myself stand out or even get her to see me, but I still approach them. And then it gets even more dream-like.
The people decide to wander away, and it’s just me facing the agent one-on-one. It’s my chance! Now or never. And I don’t remember now, but somehow (maybe from a comment I had just overheard before everybody left) I know that the agent has a cat and loves cats. I have a cat, too (see photo). And as I stare at the agent, my elevator pitch totally forgotten, I know one thing: my cat will get me an agent.
That’s it. The key. It’s simple, and quite logical, really. I have a cat. Agent has a cat (a very similar one, too). It’s meant to be. I wave my hands around telling the agent to stay there, and that I would be right back. Because I know she would understand as soon as she saw my cat. Conveniently, I’ve brought it to the party, because it’s a pet party, duh. But as I weave in and out of the crowds, looking for my cat, more hopeful than ever that I will get an agent, my dream fades.
Yup. I just woke up after that. Kind of a bummer, but I was still so elated after the dream, and only half logical that I stayed happy. I mean, dreams like this must be a good sign, right?
Anyways, when I woke up and became my only slightly more logical and realistic self, all I could do was think back of the dream wishfully. A pet party? That’s one cool agent. Pets that get you an agent? Even more awesome.
How about you? What kind of dreams do you have about getting an agent (daydreams included)? Do they involve pets?
