"I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work." - Thomas Alva Edison
Allow me to start off with some interesting facts that will make (at least me) feel better:
JK Rowling’s Harry Potter: Rejected 12 times
Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight- Rejected 15 times the
Jack Canfielda and Mark Victor Hansen’s Chicken Soup for the Soul- Rejected 134 times
Margaret Mitchell’s Gone With The Wind: Rejected 38 times.
Stephen King’s Carrie: “We are not interested in science fiction which deals with negative utopias. They do not sell.”
Dr. Seuss: 27 times. “…too different from other juveniles on the market to warrant its selling.”
Judy Blume: “nothing but rejections” for two years.
I sit here some days looking at my five rejections letters, thinking about the no responses I have received and just want to give up and admit failure. Think of all the incredible books we would have been missing out on if the above authors had done that. I for one have made it through a lot of problems as a teenager with the comforting stories of Chicken Soup for the Soul, I can’t imagine going a Christmas without How the Grinch Stole Christmas and Gone with the Wind, one of my most favorite books (and movies) of all time.
The point is they kept going. Sure, they probably had moments where they felt like they had failed (heck, Stephen King actually threw out Carrie, then his wife plucked it out of the trash and told him to keep trying), but they had so much faith in their work, they realized they just hadn’t found the right place for it yet.
Just because something doesn’t work out right away, or even down the line, doesn’t mean it’s a failure. Failure is when you give up and stop trying.
Judy Blume had said, “I would go to sleep at night feeling that I’d never be published. But I’d wake up in the morning convinced I would be. Each time I sent a story or book off to a publisher, I would sit down and begin something new. I was learning more with each effort. I was determined. Determination and hard work are as important as talent.”
Looking up each of these authors they all say the same thing, “I was convinced this is what I was supposed to do and that’s why I kept going.”
So take heart. If there is something you really feel you are supposed to be doing, don’t ever admit failure. Take the attitude of Mr. Thomas Alva Edison, keep working at it until you come to the day you’re happy you did.
I sent out a bunch of queries today and I can’t believe how nervous I am. Hopefully me new query will start bringing in partials. Of course, I’ll keep you updated. Have a great day.
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I'm glad I stumbled on this today. Thanks for the motivational tip and I'm going to steal the quote you stole from Edison for my facebook page!
ReplyDeleteFrom a writer *with* an agent, let me tell you that the "no's" get harder ,not easier, to deal with. After your writing group raves and an agent not only accepts your work, but helps it go to the next level, it's maddening to hear, "Not quite right, and too bad it doesn't have a serial killer!"
It's good to remember those success stories and that each time through the wringer, I learn something new and can chose to improve or give up.
BTW -- King didn't *start* with Carrie. It was his 5th book and the prior 4 were rejected. The editor who signed him (also found Grisham or someone else huge) remembered him from the previous 4 attempts.
Thanks for sharing! I knew that King didn't start with Carrie, but I still can't believe any were rejected to begin with. The man is a genius!
ReplyDeleteHave a great day and congrats on having an agent. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't jealous ;-).