tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post2216613453309406264..comments2024-03-28T10:41:26.999-06:00Comments on Blood-Red Pencil: Seven Ways to Write Better Stories by FailingDanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14471919576687777886noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-40572056356038412972013-08-20T21:52:14.169-06:002013-08-20T21:52:14.169-06:00Dr. John, you wrote, "At least, the verdict w...Dr. John, you wrote, "At least, the verdict we get from an agent or competition judge will be honest."<br /><br />Pardon us, but when do we ever hear from an agent or competition judge?<br /><br />I never have. No matter how many times I've entered, and sent in my money, that's the last time I ever hear from them, until their next "pay us" contest. <br /><br />An agent reply? Please, you've got to be kidding. A rubber stamp, "not accepting submissions" is their usual reply.<br /><br />Sorry, but I don't agree that wasting enough money to buy a new car on postage and contest entry fees is the way to go. Buy a lotto ticket. You'll at least have honest feedback.<br />You lost. <br /><br />Dan Frost<br /><br /> <br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-75318901322091720402013-08-18T18:38:16.609-06:002013-08-18T18:38:16.609-06:00I don't mind the rejections, if I can learn fr...I don't mind the rejections, if I can learn from them. However, "These aren't quite the right fit for us, but thanks for letting me have a look!" really doesn't help me much to learn what I need to change.Christine L.Hendersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06351506882885055776noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-49305239790404705282013-08-18T18:34:08.609-06:002013-08-18T18:34:08.609-06:00I don't mind the rejection, I just want some c...I don't mind the rejection, I just want some construction criticism instead of "it doesn't fit our needs at this time."Christine L.Hendersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06351506882885055776noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-26276496146628189862013-08-18T12:09:39.603-06:002013-08-18T12:09:39.603-06:00Failure for me means: I have not brought out the b...Failure for me means: I have not brought out the best in me, it means I can go futher and do better. Because if I succed easily why must I work again. Failure mean I have not put out the best of myself. Success at the first instance is dangerous. It can make one lazy and take things too simple and if you fails at this point , it can be catastrophic because you never thought you can. Nevertheless, perfaction is the result of all corrected mistakes of graet inventors of all time. Failure becomes failure when one fails to correct a failed mistake.http://sbpra.com/ezechukwulawrencechinwike/Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-24427964780359596012013-08-18T11:05:04.396-06:002013-08-18T11:05:04.396-06:00And of course IF your rejection letter says they l...And of course IF your rejection letter says they like your writing, that's a plus.<br />If they invite further submissions, that's....umpteen pluses!Brian Luxhttp://www.brianlux.co.uknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-18211005650173678172013-08-18T10:06:50.630-06:002013-08-18T10:06:50.630-06:00The very first story I ever wrote was immediately ...The very first story I ever wrote was immediately published in a very reputable American journal. from the first word on-screen to holding the published book in my hand took about 5 months. It was not a good beginning... my expectations were raised to a ridiculous level and I spebt the following year submitting to other journals that were way out of my league. Early success can actually hamper one's learning, just as John says above.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-32800626819967177952013-08-13T13:48:30.360-06:002013-08-13T13:48:30.360-06:00I love #3. Rejection is a free lesson. Such a powe...I love #3. Rejection is a free lesson. Such a powerful truth, if emotions can be held in check enough to learn from it.Sarah Kolb-Williamshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17124199628559171947noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-58050628966584508442013-08-13T08:05:59.612-06:002013-08-13T08:05:59.612-06:00For some reason, people assume writing is easy--af...For some reason, people assume writing is easy--after all, we all learned to read and write in school. I find I can lump books I'm reading into 2 main categories. The ones, as you said, that make you say, "If this guy can get published, so can I" and then there's the other kind--the ones that say, "Dang it all--I'll never be able to write like that." Sometimes it's better to stick to the "bad" books because there's more encouragement there. <br /><br />A now best-selling author, who had just sold her first book when I met here, advised finding the bright side in those rejection letters--if they come back with a generic, "Dear Author" she'd say, "Hey! They called me an author! How great!"<br /><br />(I will say, when we moved, I didn't pack up my thick stack of rejection letters, though.)<br /><br />Terry <br /><a href="http://terryodell.com/terrysplace" rel="nofollow">Terry's Place</a><br />Terry Odellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11610682530545306687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-87868448094166782392013-08-13T07:48:28.848-06:002013-08-13T07:48:28.848-06:00Those who succeed are primarily those who are not ...Those who succeed are primarily those who are not afraid to fail. Fear paralyzes. I always ask myself, "What is the worst that can happen?" and "Can I live with it if it does?" The worst thing that can happen in writing is that no one will read it. If you enjoyed the time writing it and learning from the process, then I see no downside. :)Diana Hurwitzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18216220574149672733noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-83139343684601728422013-08-13T07:13:44.954-06:002013-08-13T07:13:44.954-06:00Excellent post, John. Reacting to disappointment, ...Excellent post, John. Reacting to disappointment, or failure, Kristen Lamb said, "Suck it up, Buttercup." She was saying that to people who whine about all the negatives in the writing game. Failure doesn't define us. What we do with failure does. Linda was so right is saying we should set our ego aside and embrace the lesson that comes from a failed attempt at something. And above all, don't wallow in the disappointment. Maryannwriteshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09479027709233807149noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-8159419158190884042013-08-13T04:11:26.436-06:002013-08-13T04:11:26.436-06:00Thanks, Linda. I often wonder why new authors comp...Thanks, Linda. I often wonder why new authors complain that they're getting rejection slips, though they've only been working at their craft for a few months. In the days of the medieval craft guilds an apprentice was expected to take seven years to learn their craft. Why should creative writing be different? Seven years? It J K Rowling <i>ten</i> years... We just need to hang in there!John Yeomanhttp://www.writers-village.orgnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-20941970167354267602013-08-13T03:02:10.026-06:002013-08-13T03:02:10.026-06:00This is an excellent discussion of failure, succes...This is an excellent discussion of failure, success, and the art of persistence. Learning from failure involves setting ego aside and embracing the lesson. Success in some degree often follows application of lessons learned. Persistence develops, shapes, and hones perseverance. Oh...and don't quit your day job quite yet.<br /><br />Love this post, John. It's the gentle kick in the backside that so many of us need. :-)Linda Lanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06686488133905538811noreply@blogger.com