Wednesday, July 6, 2016

Best Things Said #IWSG #writing



What's the best thing someone has ever said about your writing?

When I started out writing as a teenager, before I knew anything about the writing craft, having only the knowledge of following my gut instinct for story-telling, I sent the beginning chapters of a few of my completed WIP's to several editors at the big-time publishing houses (Harlequin, Dorchester, etc). To my dismay, I received rejection letters from each of these, although each with comments and recommendations on how to improve my writing. Encouraged, I continued to write as well as study the craft as those editor's comments suggested.

I assumed, as a beginner, this was how the process worked. I didn't learn until a year or two later how lucky I was to receive those positive editor's comments.

One day, I spoke with two published romance authors who were both signing their books at the Waldenbooks where I worked. I eagerly chatted with them in between customers, telling them how much I admired their books and admitting that I was trying to get my work published, too. They asked how it was going. I told them about the encouraging rejections. They were both astonished that I had received anything other than a standard rejection letter. According to them, most editor's didn't have the time to bother with making comments or suggestions of any kind and just sent a form letter in response. Out of all the rejections I collected, I still have never received a plain form letter. Every editor has written something positive about my writing. I could clearly see the surprise on these author's faces as I told them this.

I knew at that moment, I would never give up writing or my efforts to get published. The look on their faces told me more than their words that I was on to something here. I had a long way to go, learning about writing and story-telling, but if those big-time NY editors were encouraging me to continue writing and working on improving my craft, then that's what I would do.

Now, several years later, I'm a published romance author, too!

With every completed manuscript and every published book, I strive to keep learning how to write a better story. And whenever I have doubts (which I still have many!) about whether I should continue writing, then I think back to that conversation with those two authors and think about how fortunate I really am.

How about you? What's the best thing someone has ever said about your writing? Share in the comments section below! Also, be sure to check out the other blogs in the Insecure Writer's Support Group



14 comments:

  1. Wow,Tricia, its awesome that you received such encouraging comments from those early editors. You were very lucky and these letters must have gone a long way in encouraging you to continue writing inspite of the rejections. Editors usually send for rejections letters.

    Rachna Chhabria
    Co-host IWSG
    Rachna's Scriptorium

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    1. Yes! I didn't realize any of that at the time. I had no idea! Thank you!

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  2. Same thing happened to me early in my career (1980s!). I received a hand-written note of encouragement from one of the publishers one can only dream of knowing. The idea he took the time to handwrite a rejection to me was all the encouragement a young writer needed. I've never forgotten that. It's something that I've tried to do each time I read anything from a new writer. Happy IWSG Day, Tricia. Welcome to IWSG.

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    1. It's incredible how a few words can be so impactful for a writer! I'm glad you got to experience that! And thank you!

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  3. Yeah, most of the replies I've received seemed to imply that they couldn't be bothered to save me if I was drowning. So kudos to you, and it's wonderful to hear stories of early positive reinforcement!

    www.cdgallantking.ca

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    1. It's a rough business, isn't it? And, thank you!

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  4. It's so true, the words of encouragement, though with a rejection is what keeps the writer coming back for more. Form rejections are plenty but those scribbled notes of hope are everything! Well done! Congratulations!

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    1. I kept each of my letters! They remind me to keep trying and never give up. Thanks!

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  5. This is my goal as well: "With every completed manuscript and every published book, I strive to keep learning how to write a better story." Great post! :)

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  6. Hi,Tricia! Congratulations on your writing success! How encouraging that you got such wonderful feedback from those editors. I tried my hand at romance writing decades ago. I sent my WIP off to Harlequin. I can still hear the loud thunk when the mailman dropped my returned manuscript and it hit my door. There weren't any words of encouragement with it, let me tell you! I can laugh now, and I long ago realized that I was not cut out to be a romance writer. Romance is darned hard to write, so way to go! And welcome to the IWSG!

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  7. I never stop hoping for those positive rejection letters. Of course, I like the acceptances better, lol.

    I don't think I'll ever stop learning about the craft of writing; it changes so often with the different tastes of readers.

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  8. It's encouraging to think that even rejection letters can be complimentary when someone gives good advice. :)

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