The Refusal

With each NO that arrives in the mail, comes the human experience of doubt in the writer's soul.
I read the following words from James and Dubus the other day. I found it to be worth sharing.

I am in full possession of accumulated resources. I have only to use them, to insist, to persist, to do something more. To do much more than I have done. The way to do it . . . is to strike as many notes, deep, full, and rapid as one can. Go on, my boy, and strike hard. Try everything, do everything, render everything. Be an artist, be distinguished, to the last. (Henry James)

All these truths and quasi-truths . . . about publishing are finally ephemeral. What is demanding and fulfilling is writing a single word, trying to write le mot juste, as Flaubert said; writing several of them, which become a sentence. When a writer does that, day after day, working alone with little encouragement, and with discouragement flowing in the writer's own blood, and with an occasional rush of excitement . . . the treasure is on the desk. If the manuscript itself, mailed out to the world, where other truths prevail, is never published, the writer will suffer bitterness, sorrow, anger, and more despair. But the writer who endures and keeps working will finally know that writing the book was something hard and glorious, for at the desk a writer must try to be a better human being than the writer normally is, and to do this through concentration on a single word, and then another, and another. This is splendid work, as worthy and demanding as any and the will and resilience to do it are good for the writer's soul.



Have faith in yourself and your writing.

Sherry/treehugger-peninhand.blogspot.com

"Move Quickly"

When writing for children, remember, this is an audience not known for patience. To keep their interest, your story should move along quickly. When your story lags, you'll lose that young reader to a faster medium like games, movies, or watching T.V.
Make each word count with strong verbs. Less is better

Sherry/treehugger-peninhand.blogspot.com

"Defending"

Food for thought on having others review your work.

The inclination to defend your writing is natural. Some writers, want to tell the person making a negative comment why he or she is wrong about their writing. But defending your work will not help you to become a better writer. Toughen-up. Become a better listener. (G.W.S.)

Happy Writing,

Magdalena

"Rejection"

You send out your novel with a hope and prayer. One month later or three months later, it's rejected.

Get over it. Make peace with it, and send your baby out again.

Whatever kind of "NO" you get, don't waste a lot of time trying to read something into the message.

In essence, it's a general form letter. That's all.

That big "NO" is a blow, no doubt. I don't keep mind. My personal reaction is: Read it. Pitch it. I have enough paper work saved. I move on to the next agent or editor on my list. At some point and time, someone will say "YES'

Happy writing,

Magdalena

"Tree Lesson's" The Beech"

Lesson's of the Beech.

Beech wood was once used to make writing tablets. Thin beech tree slices bound together are said to have made the first ever book, previously scrolls had been used. The beech is associated with all gods of wisdom, learning and the human intellect.

Year in and year out, the beech tree reminds us of the importance of learning and of the need to preserve our knowledge in writing for the benefit of generations to come. Just as lovers carve their names into the trunk of the beech so their love will grow with the tree, so must we continue to record our wisdom and understanding for the future.

Beech is recommended for those who need to boost their confidence and hope. It aids in relaxation and helps us to see the good in all things.

Planets: Mercury and Saturn.

This lesson was from the book "The Wisdom of Trees" by J. Gifford.

Go hug a tree,

Sherry/treehugger-peninhand.blogspot.com

"Walking"

A recent study of 35,000 women reveals that walking roughly 17 minutes a day (or two hours total a week) reduces stroke risk 30%--if you walk at a pace that lets you still comfortably talk. Amazingly, women who pushed themselves to work out harder didn't get the same stroke protection.

Good information for those who like to walk, but not over exceed themselves. I would be one of those gals.

Sherry/treehugger-peninhand.blogspot.com

"Lifelong Learning"

We tend to forget that learning is much more than book learning. To learn is to change. Education is a process that changes the learner. It doesn't have to end at college graduation or at age forty or sixty or eighty, and the best learning of all involves learning how to learn-that is, to change. The lifelong learner is essentially one who has learned to deal with homeostasis, simply because he or she is doing it all the time. Lifelong learning is the special province of those who have a profound practice, those who travel the path that never ends. (G.L. M.M)

I read this early one morning before the sun rose. These few words have found a special place in the folds of my heart. Take time today to read and re-read them. It's a special message to ponder on for the life we are give.

Until next time,

Sherry/treehugger-peninhand.blogspot.com