How This Critter Crits
Viewing comments for Chapter 15 "The How of Rejection"GROWTH? ADULATION? HURRY -- CHOOSE!
53 total reviews
Comment from Tpa
Both articles are well-written and entertaining. The first one of course set off a lot of bells, especially the response from the publisher, which was usually was a rejection. very few reach the top, or make a decent living, as you infer, even Patterson's first book (Newberry..) was rejected thirty-two times, still , he never quit. You gave the young writer a lot of knowledge and the old ones too. I'm glad to have read it.
reply by the author on 22-Aug-2015
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Both articles are well-written and entertaining. The first one of course set off a lot of bells, especially the response from the publisher, which was usually was a rejection. very few reach the top, or make a decent living, as you infer, even Patterson's first book (Newberry..) was rejected thirty-two times, still , he never quit. You gave the young writer a lot of knowledge and the old ones too. I'm glad to have read it.
Comment Written 22-Aug-2015
reply by the author on 22-Aug-2015
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I'm so happy you enjoyed it Tpa. Writings a life we chose ... Or did we?
Comment from nomi338
Wow, we are pretty close in age I was born in 1943. I did not know that I inherited my writing urges from my paternal grandmother until my late twenties. We even idolized the same poet (Paul Lawrence Dunbar). I stared out writing song lyrics, my big hope was to break in with Motown Records, most of my best poems were originally song lyrics. I find it strange to compare the aspirations of a writer whose latest submission has been rejected with an out out of work laborer looking for work. They may both be starving but when the writer finds work, he will derive by far the most enjoyment and satisfaction from his efforts. Also a laborer has little hope other than more work as a laborer, a writer always has the prospect of writing a universally acclaimed masterpiece for which he is so well paid that he need never search for work again. I enjoyed this piece immensely as it gave me much food for thought.
reply by the author on 22-Aug-2015
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Wow, we are pretty close in age I was born in 1943. I did not know that I inherited my writing urges from my paternal grandmother until my late twenties. We even idolized the same poet (Paul Lawrence Dunbar). I stared out writing song lyrics, my big hope was to break in with Motown Records, most of my best poems were originally song lyrics. I find it strange to compare the aspirations of a writer whose latest submission has been rejected with an out out of work laborer looking for work. They may both be starving but when the writer finds work, he will derive by far the most enjoyment and satisfaction from his efforts. Also a laborer has little hope other than more work as a laborer, a writer always has the prospect of writing a universally acclaimed masterpiece for which he is so well paid that he need never search for work again. I enjoyed this piece immensely as it gave me much food for thought.
Comment Written 22-Aug-2015
reply by the author on 22-Aug-2015
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Wow, It sounded like it gave you food for thought, which you digested and so kindly reported back to me about. Thank you, Nomi. Hope I have you aboard for my future ramblings.
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Count on it. It is always a pleasure to find someone who is a kindred spirit.
Comment from XGoneX
Hi Jay,
Really liked to read this. I still remember to type the first version of my book by hand until my fingers hurt or were swollen, and in a typewriter too. The computer makes everything so much easier!
Rejections can be hard for a writer, even make him doubt of himself, but it's part of a writer's journey. Very rarely a successful writer made it without rejections. I consider myself quite thick skin.
reply by the author on 22-Aug-2015
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Hi Jay,
Really liked to read this. I still remember to type the first version of my book by hand until my fingers hurt or were swollen, and in a typewriter too. The computer makes everything so much easier!
Rejections can be hard for a writer, even make him doubt of himself, but it's part of a writer's journey. Very rarely a successful writer made it without rejections. I consider myself quite thick skin.
Comment Written 22-Aug-2015
reply by the author on 22-Aug-2015
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I know from talking with you here, that you have a thick skin and take what suggestions are given as stepping stones to a higher level of writing. Thank you for reading this, Jade.
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I also had rejections. I used to have a literary agent, which recently I decided to go part ways, and after I review this version of the book and is edited, I'll be looking for a new agent. But before I got a yes from two agents who showed interest in representing me with the previous version of my book, I had fifteen rejections from agents. One editor also told me to put the book aside and write something different because no one would be interested in it. lol. I've been also sending my manuscript to well known companies that criticise ms. Once I got 60 pages pointing flaws in my book. It was completely awful. But after I digested everything, I actually improved the book based in things that were pointed in that critique. Since then I've been learning to, even when I don't agree with a review, I carefully think about what the reviewer says. Sometimes even when the reviewer is not right in my opinion, there are small things he says that may be right.
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You have a mature attitude, Jade. It will take you far.
Comment from OLA THOMAS
What a rich post! I enjoyed every bit of this post, very informative and educating. Like a well researched work, it shoved facts and details on the way of readers. Well thought out and deserved to be read again.
ola thomas
reply by the author on 23-Aug-2015
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What a rich post! I enjoyed every bit of this post, very informative and educating. Like a well researched work, it shoved facts and details on the way of readers. Well thought out and deserved to be read again.
ola thomas
Comment Written 21-Aug-2015
reply by the author on 23-Aug-2015
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You are so sweet, Ola. Thanks for your kind crit and your generous rating.
Comment from Mastery
Excellent, Jay. I enjoyed this essay very much. My Dad was best buddies with Jack Kerouac and Ginsberg in the Village of New York back in 1951-52. I have or had an original MS given to him by Jack...He typed on paper that is much likea roll of toilet paper in looks except for texture and width. (LOL) Interesting background on you, my friend. Blessings. Bob
reply by the author on 21-Aug-2015
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Excellent, Jay. I enjoyed this essay very much. My Dad was best buddies with Jack Kerouac and Ginsberg in the Village of New York back in 1951-52. I have or had an original MS given to him by Jack...He typed on paper that is much likea roll of toilet paper in looks except for texture and width. (LOL) Interesting background on you, my friend. Blessings. Bob
Comment Written 21-Aug-2015
reply by the author on 21-Aug-2015
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Thank you Bob. Glad it hit home with you. It was fun to reminisce and write.
Comment from Showboat
Ah, my friend, we've all gone through this, haven't we? I remember sending my first ms - cost $10 - to one of the highest regarded editors in the business, Donald Maas, owns his own literary agency, the whole enchilada.
So I'm sitting on pins and needles because, of course, not only will he publish me, this was the next American Novel literary winner. Finally, back comes the ms. With shaking hands I open the envelope, pull out the ms and notice - no check. I pull it out completely and in RED pen, scrawled across the first page he wrote TRIPE!
Gotta have a thick skin, not to mention a realistic attitude, 'cause he was right. That one was tripe, lol. I think FS has done so much for me since then.
Thanks so much for sharing, gave me a chuckle or two and a fun memory.
Hugs,
Gayle
reply by the author on 21-Aug-2015
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Ah, my friend, we've all gone through this, haven't we? I remember sending my first ms - cost $10 - to one of the highest regarded editors in the business, Donald Maas, owns his own literary agency, the whole enchilada.
So I'm sitting on pins and needles because, of course, not only will he publish me, this was the next American Novel literary winner. Finally, back comes the ms. With shaking hands I open the envelope, pull out the ms and notice - no check. I pull it out completely and in RED pen, scrawled across the first page he wrote TRIPE!
Gotta have a thick skin, not to mention a realistic attitude, 'cause he was right. That one was tripe, lol. I think FS has done so much for me since then.
Thanks so much for sharing, gave me a chuckle or two and a fun memory.
Hugs,
Gayle
Comment Written 21-Aug-2015
reply by the author on 21-Aug-2015
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Doesn't matter what the caliber of your submission was, an editor has no right to call it TRIPE. That really pisses me off! The important thing is you have tough skin and you write good stuff now. I'm so happy you liked this post and hope you return.
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Well, Jay, it wasn't nice, for sure, and to the wrong person, it could have been devastating. But not me - I just worked harder. FS is the best for that.
Have a great weekend!
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May yours be wonderful as well.
Comment from Walu Feral
G'day Jay. Your work is always so very educational for me mate. So that is where "no man is an island" comes from? Even Delia, my wife, uses that line and she's never read poetry in her life until we met, how ironic. Yes, we are all very much different with different upbringings and thoughts. I really enjoyed this Sir. Cheers Fez
reply by the author on 21-Aug-2015
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G'day Jay. Your work is always so very educational for me mate. So that is where "no man is an island" comes from? Even Delia, my wife, uses that line and she's never read poetry in her life until we met, how ironic. Yes, we are all very much different with different upbringings and thoughts. I really enjoyed this Sir. Cheers Fez
Comment Written 21-Aug-2015
reply by the author on 21-Aug-2015
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Thanks, Fez, for your continuing encouragement. I'm so happy you enjoyed this essay and catch the rest of them as they ripen.
Comment from Gypsy Blue Rose
The How of Rejection
by Jay Squires
I think the majority of writers are familiar with rejection in one form or another. I like that quote -is not the results of rejection but how one is rejected. It is so true. Also, I understand what you mean about the investment writers put into their written work-Effort. Money. Time. Well done!
reply by the author on 20-Aug-2015
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The How of Rejection
by Jay Squires
I think the majority of writers are familiar with rejection in one form or another. I like that quote -is not the results of rejection but how one is rejected. It is so true. Also, I understand what you mean about the investment writers put into their written work-Effort. Money. Time. Well done!
Comment Written 20-Aug-2015
reply by the author on 20-Aug-2015
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Thank you so much, Gypsy Blue Rose. I'm happy my post meant something to you.
Comment from Dawn Munro
"(H)e goes to barber college..." capitalize the 'h'
'...and as the bell doth toll, so, too, the editor's plume inscribes an epitaph upon the writer's soul...' D. Dawn Munro (LOL)
Okay, so I couldn't resist; as always, your writing involves me, elicits my response, no matter how corny or maudlin...(sigh) (and *grin*)...
reply by the author on 20-Aug-2015
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"(H)e goes to barber college..." capitalize the 'h'
'...and as the bell doth toll, so, too, the editor's plume inscribes an epitaph upon the writer's soul...' D. Dawn Munro (LOL)
Okay, so I couldn't resist; as always, your writing involves me, elicits my response, no matter how corny or maudlin...(sigh) (and *grin*)...
Comment Written 20-Aug-2015
reply by the author on 20-Aug-2015
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I love that line by Munro. I hadn't read it before, but it touches a lot of writer's. Thanks so much for your generosity. I'll check out that capitalization.
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That's me, Jay, (D. Dawn Munro) and I just made it up, so you couldn't have read it before - *smile* - but wow, if you were serious, I'm seriously flattered...
Comment from Spiritual Echo
You remind or perhaps enlighten people as to the total dedication it once took to get a writer's work to print. It's funny how so many people here feel slighted by the very help they receive yet make no apologies for stories that are riddled with errors.
You personal glimpse of the slumming you once did...two days? LOL
Be grateful, as I am sure you are, that you were raised with love.
reply by the author on 20-Aug-2015
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You remind or perhaps enlighten people as to the total dedication it once took to get a writer's work to print. It's funny how so many people here feel slighted by the very help they receive yet make no apologies for stories that are riddled with errors.
You personal glimpse of the slumming you once did...two days? LOL
Be grateful, as I am sure you are, that you were raised with love.
Comment Written 20-Aug-2015
reply by the author on 20-Aug-2015
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Yeah, two days of slumming. That was the equivalent of one of your days with Mac or Joe. Sleeping in the closet really made me feel like I'd arrived.