Thanks! This year I meet every rejection with another submission. Some essays still seek a home but one was just accepted two weeks ago. That acceptance will carry me through the next rejection.
After decades of writing business communication and then freelance writing for the masses, I am choosing to allow the voice of "me, myself and I" to be heard on the written page. The vulnerability factor is ramped up! I turned off the notification of subscribers unsubscribing, and I try to not to read too much into the stats of each post. I am building my community and my confidence for a larger writing project. I am looking forward to your new book!
I'm so excited for you, Janisse! I choose myself, for sure. Sometimes I give myself a brief pity party, but I don't go public with that. You and Raven remind me to get back to work, though. Daily or frequent practice is important.
Creative sustainability! Such a helpful phrase and concept. You know, one thing that your recent workshop emphasized to me is how much enjoyment and creative sustenance I get from trying out different media and forms of creative expression. Remembering how much I love drawing has been a revelation this year, and I am grateful to you for that. In my journal that I write in at least every morning, I have begun drawing things, too. I have a couple of framed Georgia O'Keeffe prints on my office wall and a concert poster; I've found inspiration in drawing those.
I also find it helpful to have supportive friends to turn to with disappointment. Another aspect of my own creative life that I have realized this year is the importance of community. (In my desire to write about other creative communities, I realized that at the heart of my interest in writing about such communities is my own desire for community.)
And finally, I am so excited about your book! Congratulations on reaching this point in this journey! How are you celebrating?
My dad was a hard-working guy, a true optimist. I think about him a lot as I face ongoing rejection from the literary world. He was always reinventing himself, moving on to the next possibility. When a rejection comes in, I go numb first. I take it pretty well. Then I sink a little bit. And then ... thank you, Dad ... I pick myself up, brush the dust off, and start walking again. Love the title of your book; can't wait for it!
In your list of all the walls, blocks, etc. how about one I faced this weekend: someone else wrote and published my novel with a big agent and a big publisher? I mean really, plot, similar location - even a name in the book is the same. I'm working on all those recovery suggestions you offer. Thank you.
Eagerly looking forward to Craft and Current: Write to Change your World.
Writing resilience and recovery is paramount and difficult. I struggle with it often and do not yet have a good "safety net" in place. So your insights are well appreciated and will be taken into account. It is also good to see what others write here, in the comments. Writing is much harder than I had anticipated, from the standpoint of actually getting it done. The ideas come easily, but dedication to the time and space can be a challenge. Thank you!
This is exactly the message I need to hear right now. I recently finished putting together a chapbook that alternates poems with short essays. I printed it locally and will distribute printed copies locally and PDF copies by email. It will also be the first section of a longer work that I plan to self-publish, probably through Ingram Spark. I have created the file with a working title and will build it block by block. The first section is inserted into the file and I have already sent the next to my writing group. I have their critiques and will begin revising that section today. Block by block.
Thanks! This year I meet every rejection with another submission. Some essays still seek a home but one was just accepted two weeks ago. That acceptance will carry me through the next rejection.
After decades of writing business communication and then freelance writing for the masses, I am choosing to allow the voice of "me, myself and I" to be heard on the written page. The vulnerability factor is ramped up! I turned off the notification of subscribers unsubscribing, and I try to not to read too much into the stats of each post. I am building my community and my confidence for a larger writing project. I am looking forward to your new book!
Yes to all of this, Janisse. Looking forward to reading your craft book. ❤️
I'm so excited for you, Janisse! I choose myself, for sure. Sometimes I give myself a brief pity party, but I don't go public with that. You and Raven remind me to get back to work, though. Daily or frequent practice is important.
Creative sustainability! Such a helpful phrase and concept. You know, one thing that your recent workshop emphasized to me is how much enjoyment and creative sustenance I get from trying out different media and forms of creative expression. Remembering how much I love drawing has been a revelation this year, and I am grateful to you for that. In my journal that I write in at least every morning, I have begun drawing things, too. I have a couple of framed Georgia O'Keeffe prints on my office wall and a concert poster; I've found inspiration in drawing those.
I also find it helpful to have supportive friends to turn to with disappointment. Another aspect of my own creative life that I have realized this year is the importance of community. (In my desire to write about other creative communities, I realized that at the heart of my interest in writing about such communities is my own desire for community.)
And finally, I am so excited about your book! Congratulations on reaching this point in this journey! How are you celebrating?
Beautiful, Janisse.
My dad was a hard-working guy, a true optimist. I think about him a lot as I face ongoing rejection from the literary world. He was always reinventing himself, moving on to the next possibility. When a rejection comes in, I go numb first. I take it pretty well. Then I sink a little bit. And then ... thank you, Dad ... I pick myself up, brush the dust off, and start walking again. Love the title of your book; can't wait for it!
Hi Janisse,
In your list of all the walls, blocks, etc. how about one I faced this weekend: someone else wrote and published my novel with a big agent and a big publisher? I mean really, plot, similar location - even a name in the book is the same. I'm working on all those recovery suggestions you offer. Thank you.
I'm so glad you've been resilient! I cannot wait to get my hooks on Craft and Current.
Eagerly looking forward to Craft and Current: Write to Change your World.
Writing resilience and recovery is paramount and difficult. I struggle with it often and do not yet have a good "safety net" in place. So your insights are well appreciated and will be taken into account. It is also good to see what others write here, in the comments. Writing is much harder than I had anticipated, from the standpoint of actually getting it done. The ideas come easily, but dedication to the time and space can be a challenge. Thank you!
This is exactly the message I need to hear right now. I recently finished putting together a chapbook that alternates poems with short essays. I printed it locally and will distribute printed copies locally and PDF copies by email. It will also be the first section of a longer work that I plan to self-publish, probably through Ingram Spark. I have created the file with a working title and will build it block by block. The first section is inserted into the file and I have already sent the next to my writing group. I have their critiques and will begin revising that section today. Block by block.
I didn't even realize I needed encouragement today until I read this. Thank you so much!