Of course, recently all of my creation juices have been going toward writing. But, I've recently received an insane number of rejections on my full manuscript. (Not just queries. Query rejections are like a pin prick. Full rejections are like a stab in the stomach. And I've had many. It's a wonder I'm still alive with all this internal bleeding.) It's my first novel, and I've been working on it for 14 months. Sadly, I shelved it yesterday. It seems so final. Like I need to have a funeral or something.
Or maybe a renewal. My good friend, Jenn, posted this on her blog. I think it's what I need to keep myself in the creation vibe.
The first five people to respond to this post will get something from me!
My choice. But for you. Handmade. (And I can wield paper and scissors with flawless ease.
I've been known to sew a mean button on, too.)This offer does have some restrictions and limitations:
1: I make no guarantees that you will like what I make.
2: What I create will be just for you.
3: It'll be done this year.
4: You have no clue what it's going to be (nor do I at this point).
If you feel inclined, re-post this on your blog and offer to create something for the first five people who respond. The first five people to leave a comment here will receive a handcrafted something or other.
11 comments:
I'm sorry to hear that you shelved your novel. Did you get any feedback on the full rejections? I hope you have something else in the works. (And yes, I would have posted this even if you weren't running the contest.
While it is always (truly) amazing to have something handmade by someone you know (whether in RL or in cyberspace), I am really commenting to say this: that sometimes the voice of the critic we need to ignore most is the voice in our head that whispers -- that's not good enough. Because that voice is the one that listens very hard to all the other critics and repeats what they say, over and over again when we are trying to push through. That voice, the internal critic, is one we have to face down daily -- and affirm to ourselves that we have the absolute right -- almost a responsibility -- to create.
I'm really sorry about the rejection notices -- but admire that you refuse to get down off the creative horse. Stay strong! Talent, yes, but above all, perseverance. I tell myself daily.
Ooo, I was thinking I was number 1 until I realized that you might not have moderated other comments yet....I'll just keep my fingers crossed!! :D
You know, I used to be pretty crafty myself. Now it seems to take too much time. I used to cross stitch, mostly, and I was good at it too. And I'd play piano. Now it seems like I squeeze in a little writing when I can and that is about it :) Maybe in a couple more years when my kids are both in school full time I'll have a little more time to be creative again :)
Don't give up on your book! A break is good, as long as you make sure to go back... don't give up.
People think dating is tough... they need to try writing! lol!
Buy a new pair of bright pink jammers, a fuzzy set of slippers, rent the first few seasons of Murder She Wrote (gotta love Jessica Fletcher), and have a veg-session!
Then go back to that book! There's no crime in re-working...
That truly is an inspiring clip! I may have to put it on my personal blog! What on earth would you be sending? I certainly miss creating things with my hands. I used to scrapbook. Now I do it all on the computer. I used to paint and do woodcuts. Now I just write. It's so all-consuming.
I'm sorry to hear about your rejections. I'm trying to grow a thick skin to live up to all of that when it happens to me... that's if I ever get requests for a full!
Oooo! Pick me! Pick me! Bryce and I just found this clip the other day and really loved it. We're actually both reading/doing The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron. Ever heard of it? It's ALL about creativity.
Aw, man! Here I thought I was the first commenter, but then, as someone else noticed, I realized that comments are moderated. Oh well!
There's six of you. I can do six while I'm doing five. No problemo. Thanks for the kind words, guys! I haven't given up writing, heaven knows I've got more to say. It's just not going to be this book, I'm afraid. At least not right now.
OK - so I am not letting you give up...You know I am always around for a pep talk...ALWAYS. You have helped me more than you will ever know - least I can do is try to do the same for you :) Good things on the horizon...GOOD things.
If you're feeling discouraged, it might not be a bad idea to set the book aside and work on something else for a while --writing or not. But if you've been asked to see fulls of your first novel after only 14 months... WOW! That is really TERRIFIC.
Painful, too, I know. I just had a full rejected and went into a frenzy of doubt and loathing toward my novel.
But really, if you've gotten that far, you shouldn't give up. Persistence is just as important as creation.
I'm sorry about the rejections and your decision to shelve your novel. Is it a book you'll revisit later? Did you get any helpful feedback on your fulls? :(
Whenever I'm feeling frustrated with writing, I turn to other artistic pursuits too -- like knitting and beading and practicing flutes. I also draw once in a blue moon. I hope doing something else for a while renews your spirit to write.
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