"May you have enough
happiness to make you sweet,
enough trials to make you
strong,
enough sorrow to keep you
human and
enough hope to make you
happy."
Writing tip of the day:
G'day guys,
Today's blog is all about rejections. You know, those cryptic one-liners you receive from publishers. Mm ... if you've just started to write, listen up. Sadly, rejections are part of the journey so toughen up and get used to them. Having said that, don't forget one thing: the views of other people are purely subjective. What you have to do is turn a negative into a positive. Many years ago I would tell people that I had enough rejection letters to wallpaper my toilet. Now I have enough to wallpaper the entire loungeroom; including the floor. So, what do I do about them? Easy, read the rejection letters, smile, file them away, put them down somewhere, burn them or tear them up ... and continue doing what you were doing ... with renewed confidence.
Trust me, getting published is a tough gig. You have to learn to duck the punches. Above all you have to be prepared to march on and send some stuff to another publisher. Don't be shy. If you love writing but are fearful of rejection, then write a personal diary and keep it locked in a steel box under your bed ... or find another career. But, if you are keen to be a serious writer and spread your words to the world, smarten up and be brave. Nothing is more exciting than to receive awards from competitions, when others have given you the big heave-ho!
Okay, so now you are tough, smart and brave. What you also have to do is think smarter, read comments by other authors and consult them, learn and listen to them, suck it in, swallow your pride and write better. Why, because they have already done the hard yards. It is a slow process for some. Many writers will fail because they refuse to accept the hard grind. I do it because I am a born storyteller with a vivid imagination, plus I have many things to say.
We all have what I call a 'hard drive of experiences'; the images, thoughts and experiences collected along the way - some great, some bad. However, if you do not write about them or speak about them, you just keep them locked up - 'unfinished business'. Writing, like speaking, can be very cathartic. Do it! You might feel relieved.
Keep writing ... never give up. I have always been inspired by a quote someone made many years ago, 'So many writers give up ... just before they are published.'
Don't be shy ... head to the top of the page and make a comment, ask a question or disagree with me. I love a good debate.
Thanks for listening.
I'm Clancy Tucker
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