Strictly Writing: Revenge of the Rejected

Revenge of the Rejected

Mea Culpa. It was my turn to post on Strictly today and I've somehow managed to miss this fact. However, my colleagues have suggested posting this video on the subject of rejection - which is actually very funny and a little bit empowering.

Oh, and on this subject, it reminded me of someone I 'know' online who has been writing novels for years and who has womanfully continued to write in the face of rejections for all five of them, determined to keep learning her craft and tenacious enough to keep going no matter what. This week, and for her sixth novel, she's got an agent. And I, for one, am thrilled and inspired and actually in awe of her. So I guess the message for the weekend is -

Don't Give Up. It Can Happen. It Has.
Have a good one.

13 comments:

DT said...: Four novels in, myself, with a deceased editor and a bankrupted one behind me, and still no agent or book on the shelf, I'm reminded of that heartfelt plea: Lord give me patience, but hurry!; 18 November 2011 at 08:52
JO said...: Oh joy - this is so timely. Thanks for this - you've made my Friday.; 18 November 2011 at 09:18
Susie Nott-Bower said...: Derek, big heartfelt hugs. So near and yet...

Glad it was timely for you, Jo!

I LOVE the line: 'I trust you will not be disheartened by your sudden violent death.'
Susiex; 18 November 2011 at 11:29
Rosy T said...: Hear hear, about the deserved rewards of, and admiration for, our mutual persevering friend. Hoorah!; 18 November 2011 at 12:57
Anonymous said...: Oh, Susie, what lovely words, thanks very much:) Although you've not done so bad yourself, this year:)

Yes, don't give up everyone, even if you sometimes feel like writing a letter like the one in the video!

Thanks Rosy!

Sam x; 18 November 2011 at 13:44
Susie Nott-Bower said...: Yay! She's outed herself! CONGRATULATIONS, Sam. :)
Susiex; 18 November 2011 at 13:51
Rosy T said...: Yay, Sam!; 18 November 2011 at 15:57
Debs Riccio said...: 'piss-midget' *chuckle* Love Bernard Black!; 18 November 2011 at 21:42
DT said...: Congrats, Sam. Do you think you did anything especially different in book number six, and what was your route to an agent? (I'll be taking notes, but only with felt tips!); 19 November 2011 at 21:29
Lindsay said...: Wonderful advice.; 20 November 2011 at 09:33
Anonymous said...: Thanks, Derek!

Well, i didn;t just write from the heart - i studied the market. And i rewrote more than i ever have done before. And i thought very carefully about the plot before starting - in the past i've written more by the seat of my pants.

Of course, nothing's been sold, yet, so we'll see - but i guess the main thing is just to keep writing, writing, writing, and eventually you'll get there.

good luck!

Sam; 21 November 2011 at 14:37
Kath said...: Congratulations Sam. I love this video. I have soooooo wanted to do that - but I didn't. :); 21 November 2011 at 22:50
Anonymous said...: Thanks, Kath!; 22 November 2011 at 15:08

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Welcome to our blog. We are a varied group of writers - published and aspiring; poets, short-story creators and novelists - with one thing in common: an enduring love for the craft of writing. A love which requires great resilience in the face of recurrent self-doubt, writer's block and rejection. In the face of the obsessive checking of emails, inch high dust and burnt dinners. In the face of a gamut of RSI injuries and writer's bottom. But a love that repays itself ten times over with those sparkling seconds of elation when finally, the right prose unfolds, like a quick-footed jive or seamless Cha Cha Cha. That's when we trust once again the voice in our heads that urges... "Keeeeep writing!"