tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post8191198297772945964..comments2023-12-09T00:33:24.572-08:00Comments on Novel Matters: Six Tips for When Rejection HappensBonnie Grovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11377519561074174038noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-77050027222381347552011-12-03T21:42:58.728-08:002011-12-03T21:42:58.728-08:00I'm convinced that if a door won't open, i...I'm convinced that if a door won't open, it's the wrong one for me to go through. There are always other doors. Flexibility is critical in every endeavor, and the only one who can ultimately reject your work is yourself. Until you do, there's always another avenue to explore.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-22585019434858443552011-08-16T11:27:28.079-07:002011-08-16T11:27:28.079-07:00Marji: I'm so glad to hear you are feeling enc...Marji: I'm so glad to hear you are feeling encouraged. Publishing is a difficult business, and much of what we need to do as writers is to remain on track and keep going. Persistence is so key!<br /><br />Dee: Hang in there, and keep polishing! I recently posted an article by Katherine Stockett where she talked about being turned down by 60 agents before she finally got one who sold THE HELP to Amy Einhorn. That is serious persistence, and I know I'm so glad she kept at it! (you can read the article here:http://shine.yahoo.com/event/poweryourfuture/kathryn-stocketts-the-help-turned-down-60-times-before-becoming-a-best-seller-2523496)Bonnie Grovehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11377519561074174038noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-12903156543248440372011-08-16T11:23:46.032-07:002011-08-16T11:23:46.032-07:00Cassy: So glad you found them helpful.
Terribonin...Cassy: So glad you found them helpful.<br /><br />Terribonin: You've just suggested a great topic for one of our roundtable discussions (we do one once a month). I'm certain that each of us would offer different lists of books that have helped us over the years. <br /><br />Here is a (very) short list of books I've found useful:<br />The Anatomy of Story by John Truby<br />Unless it Moves the Human Heart by Roger Rosenblatt<br /><br />Also, Patti Hill is doing an ongoing series on Ann Lamott's book Bird by Bird (search the blog for these posts) that has been incredibly helpful for all of us.Bonnie Grovehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11377519561074174038noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-90499583279067012522011-08-16T07:54:27.303-07:002011-08-16T07:54:27.303-07:00Thank you for posting this! It was very timely as...Thank you for posting this! It was very timely as a new "R" word just came in. It helps with perspective greatly.The RambleInnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05782867075487534804noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-75084236942442652042011-08-14T13:46:30.640-07:002011-08-14T13:46:30.640-07:00Thanks so much for the empathy and encouragement. ...Thanks so much for the empathy and encouragement. It really helps to know that the awful "R-word" happens to the best of writers. Your suggestions confirm I'm on the right track!Marji Laine - Faith Driven Fictionhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08863807987324920493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-74543771711584427802011-08-14T03:15:58.342-07:002011-08-14T03:15:58.342-07:00Could you offer us a list of books to read for the...Could you offer us a list of books to read for the person who would like to improve as a writer? I am always looking for a new one.terriboninhttp://www.boninfamilyadventures.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-51363949527458068042011-08-13T17:42:09.324-07:002011-08-13T17:42:09.324-07:00Thank you for sharing those brilliant ideas. very ...Thank you for sharing those brilliant ideas. very helpful.<br /><br />Cassy from <a href="http://electricguitaronlinelessons.com/just-for-you-guitar-made-easy" rel="nofollow">Guitar Made Easy</a>Cassyhttp://electricguitaronlinelessons.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-68578997845994427222011-08-12T13:38:51.339-07:002011-08-12T13:38:51.339-07:00Just read Kathryn Stockett's answer:
Become to...Just read Kathryn Stockett's answer:<br />Become totally obsessed with your book, and lie about what you're doing if you have to. Like they say in Galaxy Quest: Never give up; never surrender. (or something like that)<br /><br />word verification: submiciv - a Biblical mandate for... ummm never mind.Steve Ghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02332880875202358601noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-21439709464646531902011-08-08T11:57:14.446-07:002011-08-08T11:57:14.446-07:00Susie: That's a good attitude! And thanks for ...Susie: That's a good attitude! And thanks for sharing your stories. It's not easy to admit a rejection, but we all get them. <br />And yes, both Steve and Jonathan are great guys who love books and writers. :)Bonnie Grovehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11377519561074174038noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-28313946484520391032011-08-08T10:57:10.995-07:002011-08-08T10:57:10.995-07:00I've taken the "rejection" word righ...I've taken the "rejection" word right out of it. I'm just a wee bit too sensitive for that. I call them "no thank you" letters/emails/etc. It's a softer blow to my heart that way :). <br /><br />Can I use this moment to give a "shout out" to a few agents? Thanks. I've been querying a whole bunch of agents. I have to say Steve Laube and Jonathan Clemins were the kindest in their "no thank you" letters. They were both incredibly encouraging to me, urging me to keep going and put in more work. THAT makes me want to work with them even more!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-8077200384288204672011-08-08T09:19:11.845-07:002011-08-08T09:19:11.845-07:00Beth: Wonderful to have you here. Welcome!
A tim...Beth: Wonderful to have you here. Welcome! <br /><br />A time limit is a good idea. And two days to feel bad is about all a writer can afford. Great suggestion.<br /><br />Rejection can hit a writer in different ways at different times, too. Having a plan in place will ease the sting and get the writer back to work.<br /><br />Thanks for joining us! We hope to hear from you lots!Bonnie Grovehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11377519561074174038noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-49658660399483597802011-08-08T09:17:17.517-07:002011-08-08T09:17:17.517-07:00BK: Always good to hear from you. It seems to me t...BK: Always good to hear from you. It seems to me that you have a strong sense of who you are as a writer and I think this will only serve you well as you go into the future. Who knows? Maybe you will be the one who creates the new craze for historical fiction sans the sappy romance! I hope so!Bonnie Grovehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11377519561074174038noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-47452481512633691022011-08-08T09:15:40.433-07:002011-08-08T09:15:40.433-07:00Wendy: I agree. Steps 5 and 6 are about maturity a...Wendy: I agree. Steps 5 and 6 are about maturity and being able to last in this industry long term. When I speak to writers, I begin by saying, "Publishing is a difficult industry to break into. It's even harder to stay in once you've been published."<br /><br />Writers cannot believe they will improve simply by writing more of the same. They need to study, take courses, read meaty books on writing (not these flash in the pan books that promise to teach you how to write a bestseller without even trying).<br /><br />Writers also need to have a strong grasp of how the industry works in general. And then to keep on top of things as this is an industry that is as unpredictable as creativity itself.Bonnie Grovehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11377519561074174038noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-15243964535612417902011-08-08T07:57:09.394-07:002011-08-08T07:57:09.394-07:00This is my first time visiting your blog--but it w...This is my first time visiting your blog--but it won't be my last!<br />I love practical tips and you have loads of them for dealing with rejection. Like Wendy (waves to Wendy!) I can overlook #5 and #6. Especially #6.<br />I'd add a #7: Go ahead and sulk--but put a time limit on it, say 48 hours. And then get back to work.Maybe work on your #5 and 6.Beth K. Vogthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04032849469366266791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-47805137213336888082011-08-08T06:01:21.090-07:002011-08-08T06:01:21.090-07:00Well I've only submitted once and yes, I was r...Well I've only submitted once and yes, I was rejected, but I wasn't off-put by it. As a person who desires to write non-romance historical, I already know I'm writing for a very small market that publishers are unwilling to touch.<br /><br />But based on that experience my strategy was 1) go on and write the next book and 2) come back to the one I submitted and go over with it a fine-tooth comb, and make sure the characters are as strong and distinct as I can make them. Since the world of publishing is extremely heavily skewed toward romance, the burden of proof rests on me to create characters so powerful that the potential buyer forgets about romance and involves themselves in my story.<br /><br />Until then, I'm perfectly content to sit back and keep practicing. Manuscript after manuscript.<br /><br />BK Jackson<br />http://www.bkjackson.blogspot.comAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-32554913440211288652011-08-08T05:29:22.465-07:002011-08-08T05:29:22.465-07:00All excellent points. I think sometimes people for...All excellent points. I think sometimes people forget about #5 & #6 and I think those are two of the most important.<br />~ WendyWendy Paine Millerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15136235074351188350noreply@blogger.com