Erika Wassall, the Jersey Farm Scribe here with…
FULL DISCLOSURE – Dealing with a Rejecting Critique
This past Friday the 31st, on Halloween, I had a fright like no ghost or goblin costume could compare to.
My first page critique of Daddy, What’s A Redneck! (see it here)
The full manuscript is a touching story of a father who finds himself surprisingly stumped on how to explain the history and pride of an important piece of his family’s culture. He explains the actual origin of the term, the ingenuity, fun-loving and family-oriented traditions that mean so much to him. Little Lainey’s excitement grows as she learns not only about a term and a family, but about herself.
Suffice it to say: Liza was not a fan.
My first response was the famous kneejerk: “I’m NEVER writing ANYthing EVER again,” supported by the ever-popular: “What’s the point??” and the sister thought: “What does SHE know anyway?”
To be honest, I clicked off the site, without even reading the critique in full. Said nothing to anyone. Ignored it. Told myself it didn’t matter.
But, I am proud to say that it wasn’t long before I took a deep breath and tried to take a more realistic look at what was happening.
Okay. So an agent had read my work, and not liked it.
Ummm…. that’s NOT new!!! I’ve had agents turn my work down before. Even successful authors get rejected.
I decided I would go back to Kathy’s site and read Liza’s comments in full, THREE TIMES before the NJ SCBWI event the next day.
The first time I read them, they made me angry. I disagreed with EVERY word, and rolled my eyes at LEAST half a dozen times.
“She just doesn’t GET it.”
A few hours passed.
The second read, I saw where she coming from with. I shrugged a few times where I had previously crinkled my nose and shook my head. I reminded myself that while my usual writing is exceedingly kid-centric, this manuscript in particular is not mainstream-minded.
I reminded myself of three things: (1) writing is an art, not a science (2) her critique was for MY benefit, she got nothing out of this (3) as a successful agent, she knows much more than I, (and that’s a fact, not an insult).
The next morning, I read it a third time. This time, I saw real value in her comments. She mentions a lack of motivation. WHY is the little girl asking the question in the first place?
Huh…. I guess that could set the stage a bit better….
She mentions the title not properly representing the story itself, that people may even be insulted and not read it.
My “darling” cried out to me to be saved…. But I LOVE the title… I crafted it with certain connotations, liking the idea of that it was counter-balanced by a story of love and honor.
But … um… HELLO??!!! They have to READ the story to know that. If they see the title and turn away, the power of the irony is useless.
By the time I left for the SCBWI event, I no longer felt that dejected combination of anger and self-doubt. After all, as I’ve said myself, rejections are PROOF that I’m a writer!
I’ll be completely honest that I still do not agree with all of her comments. And that’s okay too. It is an earnest somewhat “issue” driven story, which while not something everyone is looking for, can have its place.
But even the comments I may not fully agree with have given me insight into my writing. Some of them I found may even apply to other manuscripts or projects I’m working on.
This week, when I sat down to write my post, fueled by amazing speakers, and an afternoon of great workshops at the SCBWI craft day, including a chance to see my dream editor Amy Cloud (I just genuinely enjoy her personality), I wrote the opening paragraph to three different articles. None of them worked.
I looked over my notes from the workshops. Nothing felt right.
I looked at Kathy’s site, as I often do, and it hit me. I had a chance to write about dealing with critique in a very unique, painfully honest way.
So a big thank you to Kathy for the opportunity. And a genuinely GIANT thank you to Liza for helping me grow as a writer, and realistically, probably also as a person.
And to you… I give a heart-felt thanks for indulging me by reading my story. It has immeasurably solidified for me the importance of not only accepting but also truly embracing critique in order to allow for growth.
Because you know what? Our manuscripts are worth it.
Erika, what can I say other than thank you for giving us another great post. I think we all have experienced this, so I hope others will take note of how you dealt with the angst of a negative critique and benefit from your reaction and journey.
Talk tomorrow,
Kathy
Filed under:
Advice,
Agent,
Author,
demystify,
inspiration,
Process,
rejection,
revisions Tagged:
Dealing with Rejection,
Erika Wassall,
First Page Critique,
Guest Blogger 
Thelma Lynne Godin is the debut author of The Hula-Hoopin’ Queen, which received starred reviews from Kirkus Reviews and Shelf Awareness. She lives with her husband in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In this post, we asked her to share advice on believing in your dreams for those submitting to the New Voices Award and other aspiring authors.
“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”― Eleanor Roosevelt
As a child I was an avid dreamer and reader. I lived in the world of books. Sometimes I was the little girl in the Cat in the Hat enjoying the fun, but worrying about the mother coming home and finding out about the chaos. Other times I was Laura Ingalls Wilder, sleeping in a covered wagon with Pa, Ma, and Mary out on the prairie. As I grew older I dreamt of being a writer and creating worlds for kids to lose themselves in. But I let that dream drift as grown-up life became a reality. My careers as a mother, a librarian, and a social worker took up much of my time and energy, even though I continued to read and enjoy books for children. I was working as a school librarian and struggling with both my kids leaving for college when I noticed a picture book writing class being offered at a local art college. And suddenly, I was back in that drifting dream. Taking that class and being with people who shared the same dream was a giant step forward in my twisty road to publication. Sometimes I could glide on effortlessly, and other times I would round a curve to find a huge hill that I had to toil up.
As writers it is sometimes hard to continue to believe in the beauty of your dreams. Daring to get started, actually putting your words on paper and then having the courage to share them with others is hard. And receiving a rejection for all that daring is like a kick in the arse. It is not for the faint hearted. I got, and still receive, my share of rejections.
It was a cold, dreary, sunless day when I received a letter from Lee & Low regarding my submission of HULA HOOPIN’ QUEEN. I was at a low point in my writing path. I was at the bottom of one of those steep hills. I had just come home from a critique group meeting where one of my friends was sharing her newest book. While happy for her, I also felt despair of ever achieving that same dream. Feeling sure it was just another rejection, I tossed the letter from Lee & Low aside without even opening it. Several hours later, I noticed it sitting on the table, and I actually started toward the garbage with it in hand. I was in such a spot that I felt I couldn’t take another rejection. But suddenly, without even thinking it through, I had opened it.
My first thought was, “Oh no! Now I’m getting two-page rejection letters!” But then I started to read it. It was two pages of things the editor liked about my story and also things she wanted me to think about working on for the possibility of Lee & Low accepting it. And suddenly my mood and the day became all sunshine and warmth, because that two-page letter was actually the beginning of my dream coming true.
That is what this journey of being a writer is all about. Highs and lows; twists and turns. But through it all, even at the lowest point, you have your words and the magical thing that happens when your words become a story. You have the dream of having those stories touch a child’s heart. So we need to dare to dream, dare to believe in the beauty of our dreams, because those dreams are my future and yours.
The New Voices Award is given each year to an unpublished author of color for a picture book manuscript. Find more information on how to submit here.
Filed under:
New Voices/New Visions Award,
Publishing 101,
Writer Resources Tagged:
aspiring authors,
dealing with rejection,
The Hula-Hoopin' Queen,
Thelma Godin,
writing 
Follow our Pinterest Boards
In the space of a week, I’ve gone from the heights to the depths.
First, the good news.
Last week, I was thrilled to learn that my book, Wisdom, the Midway Albatross was given a starred review in Publisher’s Weekly. This book has defied all the odds–just as Wisdom has done.
“. . .Pattison writes crisply and evocatively, and her closing notes provide a wealth of information and resources for readers interested in Wisdom and her fellow albatrosses.” Publisher’s Weekly 2/18/13
The story is about a 60+ year-old albatross who lives on Midway Island and survived the Japanese tsunami. For over 60 years, she has soared over the North Pacific, only coming to shore to breed. Scientists estimate that she has hatched over 35 chicks, including one each year for the last five years. Last year’s chick was named Wonder and this year’s chick–just a couple weeks old now–was named Mana’olana, Hawaiian for Hope. Yes, a 62-year-old bird just hatched a new chick!
After the 2011 Japanese tsunami, I heard her story of survival and within six weeks, I had contacted scientists, researched her life and times and written her story. I contacted about twenty publishers and none would publish it. I decided to work with my long-time friend, wildlife artist Kitty Harvill to publish it from my own imprint, Mims House. Now, I’ve been in this business long enough to know that it would be a long hard road. But it was an important story, one I couldn’t let go.
It won the Children’s Book category of the 20th annual Writer’s Digest Self-Published award, a $1000 cash prize. So, I submitted it to Publisher’s Weekly for review and it earned a Starred Review! Right now, it is an Amazon bestseller (for the spring season, the ebook version is only $0.99).
The starred review was especially nice, because it was a validation of all the work we had put into the book. Go look for yourself: self-published can be quality.
Next, the Bad News
Publishing has weird math. 9 months + 5 revisions = NO.
The rejection I got yesterday was shocking and painful.
For nine months, I have been working with someone on a project and it has developed in amazing ways. The critiques were spot-on and I revised like crazy. I deleted chapters, added chapters, rearranged chapters, deepened characters, searched for ways to add humor. Then, I did it again: I added a character, took out a subplot, deepened characters and searched yet again for ways to add humor. I expanded the climax scene, set it up better. I created a stronger emotional arc, added a stronger villain. I revised.
I love this story now.
It was rejected.
The world tilted for me yesterday.
Nine months. Three major (huge, gigantic, difficult, rewarding) revision and a couple more minor ones.
No.
Yet, the moon rose as usual, I slept.
The sun rose as usual, I got up and showered and ate breakfast.
I have already queried someone else and will send it to them today.
I am raw. I feel wounded. A trust betrayed. A grieving because they couldn’t see the story in front of them; they only saw what they would have written, if only they were writers.
Are they right? Are they wrong?
I don’t know.
I only know that this is a heartbreaking week, but last week was an uplifting week. This is just the heights and the depths of our profession; somehow, it feels normal. And regardless of the reaction of others to what I write, my job is to plod along putting one word after another.
So, today, I will write.
Here's a post about rejection that orriginally appeared here: http://mormonmommywriters.blogspot.com/2013/02/saturday-so-what-spotlight-michael-young.html?showComment=1360078358572#c2208889451602631540
You could say I’ve asked for it.
Someone who doesn’t like facing constant rejection should probably not go into writing, acting, singing or missionary work.
I’ve done all of the above. I’m practically a human pincushion. Editors and agents have rejected my writing, directors have rejected my auditions, and, oh, so many people (especially Germans) have rejected my attempts to talk religion. Despite this, nine out of ten people who know me would likely say I’m a happy guy, who continues fighting all of the above battles.
How do I still have a shred of self-esteem?
For starters, I should say that some days are better than others. My self-esteem does go through highs and lows, and sometimes I do feel like giving up on the things I’m passionate about. I have, however, experimented in my life with the best coping mechanisms for me. They may not be the same for everyone, but I’d like to share a few that have gotten me through the less-than-rose-colored days.
1.
Allow Some Time to Mourn (But Not Too Long) I don’t think it’s to hold things in. Trying to pretend that something didn’t affect you when it did serves no purpose. Feeling a little genuine grief can actually be a cathartic, healing experience. But do put a cap on it. If you languish with a bag of Oreos for a week after every time you get a rejection, you might be overdoing it. I usually allow myself 24 hours to feel bad about a rejection, and don’t feel guilty about mourning a bit. Then, however, I honor my agreement with myself and set it aside.
2. Remind Yourself of Your Successes.It can be easy to focus on the negative after a rejection. Sometimes, it dredges up all the memories of past rejections, and these start to seem like a mountain whose shadow you might never escape. It does me so much good in these times to remember the things I have succeeded in. A few years ago, I fulfilled my lifelong dream of becoming a member of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. One of my personal mantras when faced with rejection is “that one success can cover a mountain of failures.” Your successes need not be large things, but I promise you, if you peek out from behind the cloud of pessimism, you will find them.
3. Take Time to Appreciate the Success and Effort of Others. Rejections can hurt especially bad when observing the success of others around you. It is easy to forget all the time, struggle and anguish another person in a similar situation had to invest before achieving success. I remember once reading a quote from the famous basketball player Michael Jordan, in which he expressed his regret that at the height of his career that he made playing professional basketball look so easy. So many young boys thought they could be just like him, but didn’t understand all of the practice, the failures and the immense amount of time it took for him to get to where he was. After a rejection, I make it a point to spend a little less time on social media, where people most often display their best news, so that I am not tempted by jealousy. If I do see something, however, I give my best effort to appreciate that person’s effort and to remember that it might very well be me someday.
4. Get Back in the Saddle.In my book, I believe persistence will take your farther in life than even talent. Talent without persistence is hallow. No matter how hard it seems, you need to launch into your next project and keep revising and submitting. I often remember that Abraham Lincoln ran for many public offices and lost all of the elections until the big one. He’s now so famous that his face gets to be on both a bill, a coin, and a Steven Spielberg movie. Did I mention the big shrine in Washington DC? Maybe that won’t happen for you, but one thing is for sure—you definitely won’t have anything like that happen to you if you quit.
5. Look at the Big Picture. The truth is, most books get rejected many times before finding their place. What may seem like a tumble from a cliff may really be only a minor speed bump. Even sore bruises heal with time. Remember how far you have come, and don’t take your eyes off on where you want to end up. And while you are getting there—enjoy the ride.
Above all, I realize that rejection is a part of life. Sometimes, I even find the audacity to smile at them. A rejection means that you overcame your fears of trying. That is so much farther than most people go. For every writer, singer, actor, or whatever, there are thousands who wished they had the courage and patience to be any one of those things. A rejection then, is not a black mark on your record, but a badge of honor.
 |
| Jayne Ann Krentz/photo by Marc Von Borstel |
|
Last weekend, I spoke to a group of writers about the six plus one traits of writing and how to use these to improve their rough drafts and writing in general. The theme of the talk was basically everything they needed to know about writing they already learned in elementary school, or at least what we are teaching in elementary schools today--which is often the six traits. Anyway, one of the traits is voice--developing voice and writing with a distinct voice, and I was looking for a quote to kind of wrap up my talk and leave them with some inspiration as well as tie in something I talked about. And lo and behold, I found the quote below by the prolific romance writer,
Jayne Ann Krentz. "Believe in yourself and in your own voice, because there will be times in this business when you will be the only one who does. Take heart from the knowledge that an author with a strong voice will often have trouble at the start of his or her career because strong, distinctive voices sometimes make editors nervous. But in the end, only the strong survive." - Jayne Ann Krentz
I just love this quote, and I thought it was a perfect way to end a writing workshop, where I was trying to inspire people to write and have faith in their work and their careers in the new year. It is so easy to get down as a writer: rejection letters, no time to write, bad reviews, blog posts with no comments, harsh critiques, poor sales, and so on. But the beginning of this quote is so true and what we have to do. WE HAVE TO--believe in ourselves! We have to have faith in our voice and in our work. We cannot give up. We have to get up the next morning and keep sending out manuscripts or write another blog post or send our book to another reviewer.
This business is so subjective--you'll realize that if you ever send a query letter out or a magazine submission to multiple editors. You can send out the same thing to twenty places--you'll get yeses, nos, and no response. It doesn't mean one editor is more right than another (although we want to think that!) ; there are many reasons for rejections and acceptances. But through it all, you have to believe in yourself and your work--because you are your best advocate! You are the one that sits down to the keyboard and types and creates. You are
the only one with your voice. So keep writing--through the ups and downs, and you will survive!
Margo L. Dill is the author of the middle-grade (ages 9 to 12) historical fiction novel, Finding My Place: One Girl's Strength at Vicksburg. She also teaches in the WOW! classroom--mostly about writing for children. Her next class starts in the beginning of March.
My March sprint has started out strong. I’m well over the halfwaypoint today and it is only the 15th. (Got to love those months with31 days.) The point, however, is not toget complacent. I found out how much asudden sickness can put you behind. I’m starting up a small side business as aneditor for both short stories and novel length works. Keep in mind, my “aspiringauthors” program is still free and in effect. I am offering a discount foryoung writers, which I define as being under 19 years old. Here are the detailsthat I will also post permanently on my site.
Rate:$1.00/page (standard manuscript format, 12pt font, double spaced)
Specialrate for writers under 19: $0.75/page.
RecommendedGenres:
Fantasy(all kinds), Science Fiction, Historical Fiction
OtherGenres I’ll Accept:
Mystery,Horror, General/Literary
Genresto Avoid:
Romance,Erotica, Self-Help
Tosubmit, email me at [email protected].
When I request themanuscript please send it in .rtf, .doc, or .docx format. It should have a common 12 pt font such asArial or Times New Roman with 1 inch margins all around, and be double spaced.Manuscripts not formatted correctly may be sent back for reformatting. TimeFrame: The time frame is negotiable, depending on the length of the work. Please give me as much time as possiblebefore a deadline.
Stats:
Running Total: 136,221
Month to Date: 30.434
Yearly Percentage to Go: 77.2%
Writing Tip of the Week:<
By:
Nina Mata,
on 3/2/2012
Blog:
Beautifique
(
Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags:
dealing with rejection,
freelancer,
illustration business,
freelance business,
creative business,
coping with rejection,
kill fee,
Business & Stuff,
cancellation fee,
freelance rejection,
the business of freelance,
artist,
Illustrations,
freelancing,
rejection,
Add a tag
It’s definitely more appropriate to share your accomplishments, but what about rejection? This topic hasn’t really been as openly discussed as much as it should be. I’m going to wear my heart on my sleeve here and hope by sharing this experience it eases the pain a little for other creatives who’s gone through similar situations.
As a freelancer, trying to establish yourself can be quite draining.There are a few words and situations that can be traumatizing enough to threaten the livelihood of ones career. “Send me your KILL FEE” has been by far my worst and biggest fear come true.
A couple of years ago I was approached by a widely known establishment to illustrate something to go with a copy they were planning on releasing. I really wasnt clear on why I was chosen to do this commission since they wanted me to illustrate something loose and abstract. I wasn’t sure I would be able to meet their vision but I had to try. After all, this client was on top of the list of companies I’d always wanted to work with.
I spent a few days trying to create something engaging and abstract. When I sent in my inital sketches for the said artwork I got feedback to REWORK, EXPLORE, REVISE. So i did as I was suggested, days later I sent in my revisions and got the most devestating reply I had ever read:
“This isn’t working. Send me your kill fee”
(For those of you who aren’t familiar with the term, a “kill fee” is otherwise known as a cancellation fee. It’s a percentage of the originally agreed upon payment that the client is required to pay should the project be terminated.)
My heart sank to my stomach. I read the message over and over again trying to wrap my brain around this horrifc sentence. I wanted to reply, no, call them to give me another chance. But I knew that pleading wouldn’t be the most professional thing to do. So I took a deep breath, ignored my quivering fingers and replied with an invoice graciously.
The days that followed were pretty bad. It felt like a really bad break up. I went through the first four stages of grief within the following weeks. At
first I denied the whole thing ever happened by deleting any evidence of correspondence. I even deleted the invoice and contract out of my records.
Afterwards I completely broke down. I cried. I cried for days (my eyes hadn’t been this puffy since they cancelled Punky Brewster) and I drowned myself in massive amounts of self pitty. After a couple of weeks, I learned to accept the loss but I wasn’t completely over the whole scenario. I took a one month break from everything. I closed the door to my studio and replaced productivity with a full days worth of sitcoms and reality shows. Fun.
If it weren’t for my family and friends, getting out of this funk would’ve been ten times harder. Having a support system helps. It
SIMON SAYS
A weekly column from children’s author Simon Rose
All writers are rejected at some time or another, even the most famous or successful ones, so you are in good company. Even if you’ve mastered the art of not taking it personally, rejection will still hurt, even if only a little, so it’s best to wait a while before jumping straight back into any writing projects. Writers spend so much time at their desks anyway, engrossed in their projects and it’s always a good idea to take a break and recharge the batteries once in a while.
The same applies when dealing with a recent rejection, especially since you shouldn’t probably be writing anything while still feeling hurt anyway, wondering what’s wrong with your writing, considering yourself inadequate and second-guessing every paragraph, sentence, line or word that you write. Simply walk away for a while and engage in some non-writing activities. Run some errands, walk the dog, do laundry or other housework, read some magazines, watch movies or TV, even do some yard work. And if you don’t belong to a critique group or some other writer’s organization, meet up with friends for coffee or dinner, to chat about something unrelated to writing. The change of scene will do you the world of good and help you to eventually get writing again, most likely with some fresh ideas on how to improve an existing piece or to start work on a completely new one.
SIMON SAYS
A weekly column from children’s author Simon Rose
As painful as rejection is, especially for the beginning writer, it must be stressed that it is nothing personal on the part of the publisher or editor. Writers who take rejection personally have to change their way of thinking if they hope to have a career in the business. Writing can be a solitary and lonely profession and writers tend to live very much inside their own imaginations for long stretches of time, as the plot comes together and the characters form. As a result, they can’t help but be deeply attached to the project. Consequently, it’s a little like sending your children off to their first day of school when you mail that manuscript out to the publisher. This is your baby, one that you’ve nurtured until its perfect. How could anyone not like it, right? However, a writer must remember that the rejection by the editor or publishing house is a rejection of the writing, not of the person. If you can accept that, then perhaps you can look at ways to improve the work you sent out, or even abandon it altogether, if you so desire. But if you convince yourself that there is something dreadfully wrong with you as a human being, you might never write again or at least never have the courage to submit anything else, forever fearful of being rejected.
Those reviewing your work at a professional publishing house are doing so in an unbiased manner. Your novel has already been read perhaps by friends, relatives, work colleagues and lots of people who know you. Yet you are never going to get a truly honest opinion until you send your work to someone who isn’t acquainted with you personally. Since the editor has no idea who you are, how can they be judging your work on anything but its own merits? There are lots of reasons why a submission might be rejected, which we will examine next week.
This blog is intended as a place of safety and support for writers on their individual writer's journey. A place where I offer up tips about plot and the Universal story form for novelists, screenwriters, memoirists, and those who dabble in creative non-fiction. Never have I expressed much about my personal writing life yet now I feel drawn to share the following excerpt from a letter of condolence and support to a fellow writer. That it helped renew her enthusiasm and passion for writing and submitting her work to agents perhaps, if you too are faltering, my words might serve as a lift:
I wish you could share your journey to getting your novel published in an article for Writers Digest or a similar writer's magazine. Yes, the trauma you have suffered in your life makes you more sensitive. Yet you speak for all writers when you voice your despair over the submission process.
The pain you feel from rejection letters is universal. Truly. Gifted writers, gifted creators of all kinds stop writing every minute because of rejection.
We writers share our innermost soul on the page and to have our writing rejected means we're being rejected -- that which is most personal and meaningful to us. Sure, we should buck up, grow a thicker skin, not take it personally, but lots of those things we "should" do and feel are never as simple as they sound.
People like you who are brave enough to write about the pain are the reason for the phenomenal success of the Indie industry. Perhaps that's what indie publishing really is -- a gift of separation from the powers-that-be in NYC. The release from having to be judged by the arbitrary board of gate-keepers to that which we long -- a readership to enjoy our words and stories.
I rarely submit... anymore. Early on I did. Too early. I cringe when I think of some of the writing I sent out before I knew better.
The novel I recently completed is my best by far. I wrote Angle of Reflection for an agent who had rejected an earlier novel and asked me to send him any future work, saying he loved my "voice" / writing style. I have not heard back from that query. The novel I completed before this one, I queried two agents: the one who rejected it. The other immediately asked for the entire manuscript. After 6 months, I have yet to hear yea or nay.
I have not given up. Quite to the contrary. I am simply writing and waiting. Today, publishing, as with almost every institution steeped in tradition, experiences upheaval. Things shift, making room for the new to emerge.
In the meantime, I continue to help writers achieve their publishing dreams (I include a list of current and former clients I am proud to announce have books being released this fall).
I've found peace through this approach and trust that when the time and I am right, my fiction will be published. In my acceptance, I make my way toward my dreams by studying the craft and continuing to write. I have given myself until I am 99 years old. If I've not had my fiction published -- yes, I could go the Indie route, but hold out for NY -- then I'll despair. In the meantime, I write...
I am proud of you for keeping to the pursuit of your dreams. For continuing to find resources to help heal you and strengthen you. For voicing your pain. For fighting back. For protecting yourself from those out to suck dry the creative and brilliant and lovingly magical soul of yours.
I believe in you. I almost hate to say that because I feel that by encouraging you I send you back out into that which can destroy you, and just as easily lift you to heights you never imagined. You're strong enough to survive this. In surviving, you triumph! In your triumph, we all triumph!!
My only advice is to keep writing. We get better every time we show up for our writing. Write through your pain. Write down your pain. Write, write, write. Ignore anyone who doubts you. Concentrate on yourself, your writing, and the divine energy of creation. You channel that power every time you show up for your writing. You perform a sacred rite through your writing. Make the writing itself enough... for now... write....
WRITERS TO WATCH (books with a Fall 2009 release date by authors who have credited my plot support as help in their success publishing):
Daily Coyote (softcover release) by Shreve Stockton (Simon Schuster)
http://www.dailycoyote.net/
Sounds Like Crazy by Shana Mahaffey (Putnam)
http://shanamahaffey.com/
Love in Translation by Wendy Nelson Tokunaga (St. Martin's) http://www.wendytokunaga.com/pages/
The Lodge by David Brandin (iU -- Editor's Choice Award)
(If I neglected to mention your book, please let me know and I'll add you to the list.)
Erika Wassall, the Jersey Farm Scribe here with…
.jpeg?picon=3479)
.jpeg?picon=893)
.jpg?picon=694)
Great, honest post Erika. I’ve been on the other end of a tough First Page critique and it’s tough to swallow. But as you pointed out, in the wise words of Pete the Cat, “It’s all good.” Liza is wonderful – I’ve been lucky enough to have her read my work too. Happy writing!
Great post, Erika! Rejection is PROOF that you are a writer, and that you are putting your work out there! That’s further than many have gone.
Erika – thank you for summing up exactly how we ALL feel when getting a tough critique. And good on you for turning it to the positive.
To say I’ve been there and experienced that is an understatement. You articulated the mixed emotions we all go through so well. Liza’s made me a better writer, too!
Thanks so much for all the great feedback here. I’m very glad to hear it was a relatable read for some of you and not just a therapy session for me!!! LOL
Jenn– quoting Pete the Cat? I LOVE it.
Thanks for sharing, Erika. I read your story and Liza’s comments so I know where you’re coming from and of course have been there too. But even when I get the blues from a rejection, I always use those comments to be better. I’m still writing and so are you. And Ginger (Liza’s partner) is helping me so much with my manuscript at the moment. Good luck with your story.
Erika, this was an EXcellent post, as always :) I, too, enjoyed meeting Amy Cloud last week. She’s so friendly :)
Anyway, as far as critiques–there’s so much about them that is valuable, and not just in the respect of improvement for our actual writing, but as someone who is trying to seek traditional publication in this extremely picky, hard-to-navigate, hard-to-figure-out industry.
The more critiques you get, especially more than one on the SAME manuscript, the more you will learn how very different (and often opposing) opinions can be from one agent or editor to the next. You will also be alerted to similar/same positives and negatives. If you hear the same comment more than once, it’s definitely worth your attention, whether it’s to know you’re doing something right, or if something does need to be rethought and reworked.
All of it is of benefit, and it is largely up to us to determine what is valid and what isn’t, what can or can’t be changed or how. I’ve also learned that, just like with any other profession, some people have a true gift/knack for doing it well, or in a way that you do “get it” more easily. I’ve definitely learned that it is extremely important to not be defensive about comments, but open-minded. It took you a couple of days, but at least you did just that! :D :D :D