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Thursday, January 9, 2014

THE MINDSET OF WRITING: ARE YOU TOUGH ENOUGH? by CHERYL PIERSON



When I first began writing seriously, it never entered my mind that it would be a painful process. But it truly can be, and usually is.

From the very beginnings of our imaginings as writers, the first stirrings of creativity that we feel compelled to share with the world by transferring our thoughts to paper (or computer), we are "putting ourselves out there" for the world to look at--and judge. Self-doubt is inevitable.

When you wrote your first essay in grammar school--think back--"How I Spent My Summer Vacation"--that was the beginning. You most likely had to stand up and read it for the class, to be snickered at by your classmates if you hadn't had some kind of fantastic summer experience to write about--good or bad.

Your retelling of a wonderful vacation to Disneyland could be trumped by a classmate who’d visited relatives that lived near Billy Bob's Crocodile Farm. Never, never could we slip into mediocrity by writing about a boring summer of "just staying home."

My first "sold" story was to ADAMS MEDIA'S ROCKING CHAIR READER: MEMORIES FROM THE ATTIC.


Without our realizing it, this was the beginning of the rest of our lives as writers--and the judgment of the rest of the world. By what we wrote for those long-ago class assignments, we unwittingly took the first steps on our journeys into the world of writing successes
to come. How our classmates reacted, even at age eight or nine, would affect the rest of our lives in ways we didn't imagine then.

Think of it this way: Miss Smith's third grade class was our first experience with peers who critiqued our work. And some of those peers could be downright snide, despite Miss Smith's admonishments to mind their manners!

Kids are cruel, but so are adults. Our school years were the proving ground for obstacles we face in the adult world in many areas, but did you ever think of your third-grade classmates as your first panel of reviewers?

Just as we longed for acceptance then, we wish for it now. Those of us who are writers hope to be embraced by a fan base of some size--even if it's small.

Miss Smith was the next hurdle, representing an elevated level of criticism. She gave you "the grade" for your paper--evaluating not only the grammar and punctuation, but the content and creativity.

Dealing with teachers and curriculum in school is much like dealing with a literary agent and the governing “rules of writing” in our adult lives. The comparison is striking.

My first "sold" novel--FIRE EYES

We have to "make the grade" to land an agent. But, like teachers, not all agents are alike. Some tend to give more advice, push harder for the sale, or spend more time networking. Ultimately, your agent, if you have one, is your personal "gatekeeper," making the sale for your work--or not. Miss Smith in third grade, along with countless others like her, represent the first broker for your writing. Did you pass or fail? Were you creative? Did you meet your word count?

Much of the outcome depends on you. Have you been "tough enough" through the years? How do you handle the past rejection that comes as an inevitable, integral part of a writer's life? Have you ever thought that you might have started your adult writing career sooner had you had a bit of encouragement in those early years?

Realize that you are here, at last, and having made it this far, you are on the road to success. It might not come tomorrow, or next week, but it is out there, waiting. Much of our success as writers depends on luck, or "being in the right place at the right time." Having that teacher, mentor or friend at some point who gave us a small piece of encouragement is sometimes what can "make or break" us.

But learning to be tough and stay constant, to keep from being disillusioned and disheartened, and to be our own source of inner comfort and strength during this journey is the key to success.

Remember, even if you haven't sold anything yet, you've written it. And that's a success story in itself.

Completing a manuscript of any kind means you were tough enough to "tell it" and it's only a matter of time now until you sell it!

I'm giving away a signed copy of FIRE EYES to one lucky commenter today! Just leave a comment and check back after 7:00 tomorrow, Friday the 10th! Comment tomorrow for an added chance to win!

24 comments:

  1. Cheryl, you are the queen of encouragement. I love that. We never regret the nice things we say to people, but sure do regret discouraging someone. It's hard to remember it is only one person's opinion when someone rips your novel. It can have a lasting effect. Thank you for the reminder that we need to hang tough.

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    1. Hi Livia--I love that -- The Queen of Encouragement! My new title, and I love it! LOL It is so easy to get downhearted about others' opinions of our work. We all want to be accepted and have people like what we wrote--but one of the hardest lessons to learn is not everyone is going to like us--sometimes for reasons that might never be clear. To just accept that and quit trying to "fix it" is what we all have to do in the long run. And we have to hang tough and be strong in our own faith in our writing.

      Thank you, Livia!
      Cheryl

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  2. I should add that when my agent passed away, I searched for years trying to get another one with no success. No one wanted to represent my novels which is a very depressing feeling. When I finally landed my present agent, I soon had a bidding war for my Fresh Baked mystery series and then a second bidding war for my Literary Tour mystery series. Hang tough.

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    1. You know, it's all a matter of who sees it, what kind of mood they're in (are they coming down with the flu? had a fight with their spouse before work that morning? etc.) when they make a judgment call on your work. That's really scary to think about. I'm so glad you got another agent that really understood and went to bat for you!

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  3. You are the best and hit upon the 'nemesis' of most writers. I had a story in high school the teacher loved, read to the class ( who loved it) and gave it a 'B'. As a performer and writer, those things that are closest to my heart at the most difficult to put our to the public, for rejection is seen as a rejection of me. Which is not completely true, but it hurts just the same.

    You are by far one of the most supportive of any of those who read my writing and I appreciate it greatly. May others have the same gift in their lives. Doris

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    1. Doris, thank you so much. To me, it's like going into a house and looking around and saying, "This is a great house. But we need to paint the living room, put down some new carpet, and add a front porch." LOL I try to look for the good things and improve what needs to be worked on. I will never forget a rejection letter I got one time. "We are not sufficiently enthusiastic about your work to take it on. Best of luck." That made me laugh out loud. Still does, as this "agent" has now become a writer herself and puts out some drivel I would not read in a million years. It's all in the perspective. I wish that some of the teachers we have could realize what an impact they have on their students' lives. Even one thing like that can hurt for a lifetime. Encouragement is not so hard to give! Sometimes it's just a word that's needed.

      I'm still waiting on that story, Doris...one of these days! LOL
      Cheryl

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    2. They are taking me for a ride. Now they want to get mix it up with more bad guys. It does seem to work, but it is twice a long. (Sigh) Soon, I promise. (Grin) Doris

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    3. You should not worry about the length--sometimes it takes more words to tell a story than others! Just tell it til it's finished.

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  4. Cheryl,
    Great post. I agree about encouragement. It costs nothing to provide it. There's no reason to be stingy. And if a helpful critique is warranted, I always fall back on the sandwich method I learned in Toastmasters years ago. Say something you like, then a constructive hint, followed by something else they did well. If I ever have any advice for budding writers--it's to be discerning with who you show your work to. A few hurtful, careless words by someone who really doesn't care can really do a lot of harm. But if you are to publish, you must brace yourself for negative feedback. Cry at home if you must, but chin up out in public.

    You are a very positive and wonderful lady, and it's been a pleasure to get to know you here at PRP. :-)

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    1. Thank you, Kristy! That is so nice to hear. I used to go into the bathroom and cry when I'd get rejection letters (in the beginning).LOL Yes, you must be very careful about where you put your work out for people to look at--everyone wants to be a critic, don't they? And so often, they know less that you do about writing. LOL
      Cheryl

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  5. Remember when a teacher would assign a 500 word essay and everyone would groan? For a writer, it's "What do you mean, only 50,000 words?"

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    1. Yes! LOL And your friends would say, "Why did you write so much? We only had to do one paragraph!"

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  6. Very true. Writing is a tough business. We not only have to please ourselves, but also our readers. And, we can please loads of readers, but if even one of them reacts negatively to a book or one of our thoughts in a book, it still can smart.

    Morgan Mandel

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    1. Isn't that the truth? It always seems like those are the reviews and comments that stay in your head, rather than the good ones! Thanks for coming by Morgan--I know you are one busy lady right now!

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  7. When I was in school, the writing assignments were the fun part. I even wrote for extra crdit in Chemistry class just to pass the dang class. It wasn't until I reached out beyond the safe boundaries of school to actual publishers that I felt the first bite of negative criticism. I got my first rejection for a story when I was 13. I cried. Since then I've learned that everything I write isn't perfect. I like reviewers that give the reason for their low scores because I have something to work on to improve my writing. Snarky reviewers who are just trying to be edgy or smart don't discourage me from writing, but they certainly challenge me to believe in my work sometimes.
    I relish the companionship of fellow writers because they know what I'm going through and they raise me up instead of dragging me down. They can help me discover problem areas in my work and give experienced advice on correcting them.
    Great blog, Cheryl. You are a wonderful mentor, supporter and friend.

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    1. Aw, thank you, Sarah, for those very kind words. Like you, I don't know where I'd be if not for the companionship and understanding of my writing colleagues. There is nothing else like writing and only someone else who does it can understand.
      Hugs,
      Cheryl

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  8. This is a great topic, Cheryl. It's important to know your strengths as an author and to know what you do to nourish those strengths. If you don't refill that well, the slightest thing can flatten you.

    I already have a copy of your enjoyable Fire Eyes, so please don't include me in the drawing.

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    1. Maggie! How in the world did you find time to stop by here today with all you have going on????? You are amazing!

      Yes, learning your strengths (and weaknesses) can take a while and it sure can be a hard learning process, can't it? Sometimes we just need a good word from one person to blot out the negativity of someone else's comments.

      Thanks for coming by--you are ALWAYS so supportive, Maggie!
      Cheryl

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    2. Good words, Cheryl! I am always going back and forth about what I should focus on, what are my strengths and weaknesses...most of all, I try to focus on what is happening that is POSITIVE.... there is plenty to criticize yourself about, so remaining positive is an important characteristic for achieving your dreams! Thanks for the post :-)

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    3. Hi Gail! That's important, to focus on the positive. I know I haven't told y'all this here on the blog, but my husband accuses me of being "Pollyanna"--I don't mind. It's what keeps me going. LOL Just keep on keepin' on!

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    4. I've been accused of being a Pollyanna, too :-) I don't mind at all either....better than seeing the dark side of everything! HOPE is a beautiful thing and far more important that many other more pragmatic characteristics!

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  9. Since you just gave me a little pep talk the other day (for which I thank you), this article is a little extra push for me. I have never had a lack of confidence in any of my other professions, but writing is different because it's my soul on paper. Only another writer would understand what I just said, I'm sure, but it's so easy to get tripped up even after we know better. Which I do, but still stepped into the trap.

    So thanks, Cheryl, for that and all you do with PRP and WF. ♥

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    1. AW, Jacquie...I'm glad my pep talk helped you. I know I have a couple of e-mail to answer you wrote to me--If I can find them! LOL My inbox has been inundated. Yeah, in all seriousness, sometimes it just takes a little word of encouragement to help someone over the hump. And you're so right--we always second guess ourselves because we are putting ourselves out there for others to criticize...and sorry to say, many people feel it's their duty to "find" something wrong when really, it's just a matter of personal preference. I will throw you a lifeline if you let that happen again! LOLLOL Thanks for your kind words, Jacquie. You are a dear friend.
      Cheryl

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