How do you deal with disappointment or rejection? As writers we are going to get some of each, as long as you keep sticking your foot in the door and sending out your work. Which, of course, you are doing, right? Right?!!
Anyway, I skimmed a magazine article this morning and really liked two of the points they made. One was to immerse yourself in something new and the other was to take a reality check. The third was wrap your mind around it. But, that sounds a bit too much like dwelling on it to me. If you dwell on it that cancels out the other two.
Still, I really like the two ideas. Don't you feel better when you start something new. You're learning and researching new ideas and have the satisfaction of stepping away and keeping going. So they didn't like your great idea. You can keep it around for another try with another market or you can change your point of view or your angle on it. You can even toss it completely and work on something totally new. Develop a new passion.
Taking a reality check is great too. So they didn't buy it. Does that mean you're doomed to failure as a writer? No, of course not. You just had one editor that turned you down. It's disappointing but not the end of the world. Move along, nothing much to see here. But, now you can implement something new, as above. These two things work together so well.
Next time you need to get over disappointment remember reality checks and new passions. That should keep you busy, motivated and writing.
Writing is Erotic
Writing is kind of erotic. Kind of your own special luxury, something you do alone, to please yourself. It's almost like a secret life. A dirty little secret you don't share with friends or family who can just never really understand.
Do you feel guilty for the time you write? Are there other people lined up outside your writing door, perhaps listening in at your keyhole, waiting, lurking with all their demands. Do you ignore them just long enough to write one article, one chapter, one paragraph? When you stop writing, break your flow, ruin your focus, do they even appreciate what you gave up to give them this time away from your writing? Wouldn't you like to live with a sign that says "I'd rather be writing". Your own personal fetish.
But, when you are in the midst of that writing bubble, when you tune out the world and all you know are the words flowing from your brain to your fingers, isn't it almost as good (if not better) than an orgasm? Feel those words, use your favourite words, rub them in just the right way. It feels so good to see those sensual, almost exotic, just so good, words again. Sometimes it's the way they sound. Sometimes it's the way they look on the page. Sometimes, if you can even admit it to yourself, you just like them for what they are: words, your words.
Writing is like playing with words. Your parents wouldn't let you play with your food. But now, you can play with your words, it's almost like something which should be forbidden, it's almost too good. As you write the tension builds up, the words brushing your mind, smoothing down your skin to caress against the page. You can feel the vibrations of the keyboard as your fingers touch the keys. No wonder we like to keep physical expressions of this erotic nature at hand. Even now, I bet you have a coffee, some tasty treat or other near at hand.
Now, go nibble. Lick your lips and taste those words. Tease them, seduce them and most of all play with your words.
Do you feel guilty for the time you write? Are there other people lined up outside your writing door, perhaps listening in at your keyhole, waiting, lurking with all their demands. Do you ignore them just long enough to write one article, one chapter, one paragraph? When you stop writing, break your flow, ruin your focus, do they even appreciate what you gave up to give them this time away from your writing? Wouldn't you like to live with a sign that says "I'd rather be writing". Your own personal fetish.
But, when you are in the midst of that writing bubble, when you tune out the world and all you know are the words flowing from your brain to your fingers, isn't it almost as good (if not better) than an orgasm? Feel those words, use your favourite words, rub them in just the right way. It feels so good to see those sensual, almost exotic, just so good, words again. Sometimes it's the way they sound. Sometimes it's the way they look on the page. Sometimes, if you can even admit it to yourself, you just like them for what they are: words, your words.
Writing is like playing with words. Your parents wouldn't let you play with your food. But now, you can play with your words, it's almost like something which should be forbidden, it's almost too good. As you write the tension builds up, the words brushing your mind, smoothing down your skin to caress against the page. You can feel the vibrations of the keyboard as your fingers touch the keys. No wonder we like to keep physical expressions of this erotic nature at hand. Even now, I bet you have a coffee, some tasty treat or other near at hand.
Now, go nibble. Lick your lips and taste those words. Tease them, seduce them and most of all play with your words.
Squelch Pessimism
Squelch your own pessimism. Grab it in a claw hold and squeeze relentlessly until you feel it oozing out between your fingers, put the screws to it just as it's been doing to you for far too long. Kill it, kill it now! *Crazed laughter echoes around the room*
There! Now don't you feel better? Isn't it time you gave yourself a break? You know you can write, the mechanics are there for anyone to read, study and perfect. The heart of writing and the style are things you bring from within yourself. You know you have plenty to say, endless thoughts and stories to tell. So, what's holding you back? Pessimism, that bloated ghost of "I can't" rotting away your optimism and spirit of adventure. So, fight back. Take back your words and get them on the page in spite of all the reasons you're afraid to take the chance.
Do you think the editors of the world are going to be peeved at you for submitting your work? Of course they won't. They need content. Don't be stupidly careless and submit your work without proofreading, that's a given, right?! So, don't let fear of editors hold you back. They want what you've got. You just have to send it to them cause they have no way of knowing you've got what they want.
What else do you fear or let hold you back? Family and friends not quite fully on your side? Get those people out of your mind. You can't ignore them but you could push them to the back seats long enough to get your writing going. Besides, most of them will shut up when you have a couple of cheques to show for your work. That's really what their biggest argument is about. At least in every case I've heard so far. I have to wonder in my case, are they attacking the writing career or me? Bet you wonder the same thing though you may never put it into words. However, if you can get the career off the ground, that will become a moot point. So do yourself a favour and just keep on trucking... err writing. Keep trying and have faith in yourself.
What else brings you into major pessimistic mode? Those are the biggest two for me. Lack of faith in myself due to family/ friends and lack of faith that anything I write could possibly of interest or good enough for an editor to put into print. But, it's interesting that in spite of my lack of faith in myself other people feel just the opposite. If you look I'm sure you can find people who think you're wrong about yourself too. Somewhere there is someone who is your biggest fan and it's not just that optimist inside your own head. Look for your fans, support them as they support you. When the pessimism gets hold of you the best thing you can do is remember your fans and drive ahead through the storm till you get to the other side.
There! Now don't you feel better? Isn't it time you gave yourself a break? You know you can write, the mechanics are there for anyone to read, study and perfect. The heart of writing and the style are things you bring from within yourself. You know you have plenty to say, endless thoughts and stories to tell. So, what's holding you back? Pessimism, that bloated ghost of "I can't" rotting away your optimism and spirit of adventure. So, fight back. Take back your words and get them on the page in spite of all the reasons you're afraid to take the chance.
Do you think the editors of the world are going to be peeved at you for submitting your work? Of course they won't. They need content. Don't be stupidly careless and submit your work without proofreading, that's a given, right?! So, don't let fear of editors hold you back. They want what you've got. You just have to send it to them cause they have no way of knowing you've got what they want.
What else do you fear or let hold you back? Family and friends not quite fully on your side? Get those people out of your mind. You can't ignore them but you could push them to the back seats long enough to get your writing going. Besides, most of them will shut up when you have a couple of cheques to show for your work. That's really what their biggest argument is about. At least in every case I've heard so far. I have to wonder in my case, are they attacking the writing career or me? Bet you wonder the same thing though you may never put it into words. However, if you can get the career off the ground, that will become a moot point. So do yourself a favour and just keep on trucking... err writing. Keep trying and have faith in yourself.
What else brings you into major pessimistic mode? Those are the biggest two for me. Lack of faith in myself due to family/ friends and lack of faith that anything I write could possibly of interest or good enough for an editor to put into print. But, it's interesting that in spite of my lack of faith in myself other people feel just the opposite. If you look I'm sure you can find people who think you're wrong about yourself too. Somewhere there is someone who is your biggest fan and it's not just that optimist inside your own head. Look for your fans, support them as they support you. When the pessimism gets hold of you the best thing you can do is remember your fans and drive ahead through the storm till you get to the other side.
Handling Fanmail
I started reading "Guerrilla Marketing for Writers". One thing that struck me as was this: "You can show your involvement with your fans by being cordial when you contact them, by being helpful to them, and by asking about them."
Almost no one does that any more in the great big, fast, condensed world of email. Yet, I think most people have felt short changed by some one sentence, abbreviated email reply. Why don't we show an interest in the people we email with? Especially if you are writing to someone who has shown an interest in you, or whatever you are selling. Is it so greatly time consuming? Is it too hard to write over the one sentence quota? Or do you really just not care?
The advice from the Guerrilla Marketers is good advice. You really can win people over if you show some interest in them. Maybe they have just read your book or something you wrote on a website. First of all, it's pretty amazing that you got feedback at all. Not may people bother to send a note. When you have the chance to reply to feedback, take it.
Make the most of the chance to connect with someone. Send them your promotional spiel, your upcoming books, articles and where you are writing online but also send them answers to their questions and some questions of your own. Give them a reason to write back, or at least remember you.
There is a lot of email flying around out there. Adding HTML and graphics isn't the best way to make yours stand out. Ordinary, old fashioned chit chat is free, takes up a lot less bandwidth and is far more impressive.
Almost no one does that any more in the great big, fast, condensed world of email. Yet, I think most people have felt short changed by some one sentence, abbreviated email reply. Why don't we show an interest in the people we email with? Especially if you are writing to someone who has shown an interest in you, or whatever you are selling. Is it so greatly time consuming? Is it too hard to write over the one sentence quota? Or do you really just not care?
The advice from the Guerrilla Marketers is good advice. You really can win people over if you show some interest in them. Maybe they have just read your book or something you wrote on a website. First of all, it's pretty amazing that you got feedback at all. Not may people bother to send a note. When you have the chance to reply to feedback, take it.
Make the most of the chance to connect with someone. Send them your promotional spiel, your upcoming books, articles and where you are writing online but also send them answers to their questions and some questions of your own. Give them a reason to write back, or at least remember you.
There is a lot of email flying around out there. Adding HTML and graphics isn't the best way to make yours stand out. Ordinary, old fashioned chit chat is free, takes up a lot less bandwidth and is far more impressive.
The Email Subject Line
Lovely, luscious readers, tonight I have two, count them, two great, sensational, momentous ideas for you! Can you tell I'm kind of enthusiastic tonight? !! Too much coffee I fear. But it was GOOD coffee!
Anyway, idea number one. Next time you need to write a short bio for yourself pick up a magazine. Have you ever read the bios they print for the contributing writers. Well, you don't know what you've been missing. Of course, not all of them are as magnificent as your own will be. But, they give you a great vantage point to start your own. You can even collect the best of the best contributors bios in a file and use them to keep yours even better by comparison.
OK, now you're revved up for idea number two. Who can blame you. I'm so revved up a this point I may never need to sleep at all tonight. Wouldn't that be nice. Think of all I could get DONE.
You will be thanking me for sharing these words of wisdom with you for many moons to come. Basically, use the space/ line for 'subject' in your emails. Use it, use it wisely, cautiously and smartly. Don't be a knob and type in 'hi'. What do you think happens to any email which looks like spam? Right! It gets the quick flush. Your email will not be read if you leave an ambiguous subject line or, worse, if you completely forget to add one at all. Don't be an email loser, make good use of the subject line and warn others to do the same. That way people won't be asking you why you never read their email. Unless of course, they only send those forwarded joke emails that you never actually do read. Who can blame you?!! For yourself you will now heed this grand advice and never again darken your email subject line with useless, unclear drivel. Instead, go forth and type in clear, concise and clever subject lines to alert your readers just who you are and why they should not randomly delete your very important email as spam.
So that's it for tonight. I suggest you all drink coffee and stay up with me. We can write about the moon, scribble odes to the moon. Write on.
Anyway, idea number one. Next time you need to write a short bio for yourself pick up a magazine. Have you ever read the bios they print for the contributing writers. Well, you don't know what you've been missing. Of course, not all of them are as magnificent as your own will be. But, they give you a great vantage point to start your own. You can even collect the best of the best contributors bios in a file and use them to keep yours even better by comparison.
OK, now you're revved up for idea number two. Who can blame you. I'm so revved up a this point I may never need to sleep at all tonight. Wouldn't that be nice. Think of all I could get DONE.
You will be thanking me for sharing these words of wisdom with you for many moons to come. Basically, use the space/ line for 'subject' in your emails. Use it, use it wisely, cautiously and smartly. Don't be a knob and type in 'hi'. What do you think happens to any email which looks like spam? Right! It gets the quick flush. Your email will not be read if you leave an ambiguous subject line or, worse, if you completely forget to add one at all. Don't be an email loser, make good use of the subject line and warn others to do the same. That way people won't be asking you why you never read their email. Unless of course, they only send those forwarded joke emails that you never actually do read. Who can blame you?!! For yourself you will now heed this grand advice and never again darken your email subject line with useless, unclear drivel. Instead, go forth and type in clear, concise and clever subject lines to alert your readers just who you are and why they should not randomly delete your very important email as spam.
So that's it for tonight. I suggest you all drink coffee and stay up with me. We can write about the moon, scribble odes to the moon. Write on.
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