Dealing with Rejection

I originally posted this in a Nanowrimo group on Facebook. Going back to see if anyone liked it or commented on it, I noticed it was buried under the sheer numbers of postings other folk put down. Instead of whining about it, I just going to repost it here. It seems that everyone in the group wants to be heard and that is ok. I will work with it.

I was looking at how to face rejection and tips to help with the inevitable rejection I will some day face. At Writer’s Digest, I read this article.
In the middle is an advertisement by author of the article Holly McDowell. I was about to skip reading it but something caught my eye.
She writes digital serial novels. The cool thing that caught me was that if you read to the end of her book, you can vote in which direction the story should go.
Besides choose-your-adventure books as a kid, this is the first time I read of an author enlisting the aid of her readers like this.
This is a really cool idea. Might have to try it someday.

http://www.writersdigest.com/editor-blogs/guide-to-literary-agents/how-to-keep-writing-in-the-face-of-rejection

Advice For Writers From Literary Agents

Just found this after reading in a Nanowrimo group on Facebook about a writer getting their first rejection. I looked online for Writer’s Digest about why works get rejected. It then led me to this fine blog.

Writers In The Storm Blog

Writing on PaperBy Chuck Sambuchino

Literary agents are full of great advice for writers. That’s why, whenever I am concluding an interview with an agent, I always end the encounter by asking “Is there any other piece of advice you’d like to discuss?”

This open-ended question often draws a fantastic answer, as the agent’s most passionate advice will pour out.

That’s why I’ve gone through a whole bunch of literary agent interviews and cobbled together some of the best writing tips that agents have passed on over the years. There was so much good material that I had to break it down into multiple columns. This is Volume I, and you can check out agents’ helpful and inspiring advice below.

And I want to take a moment and say that I’m excited about being a recurring new contributor to Writers in the Storm. You will be seeing more columns from me on…

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How to win the Writers of the Future contest

John’s notes:

I lost my day job last year. The grocery store closed down as Walmart opened up nearby. Been searching for work ever since. I admit there are days where I have difficulty in getting out the door searching. On some days I don’t get out the door. No one seems to be hiring. Or there is some blacklist out there saying not to hire me.

Must be my imagination. Of course there is no such blacklist. Or is there one?

I started rethinking my writing strategies. A book can take an awfully long time to write. Once it is written you would have to check for grammar, structure, narrative flow, readability, and endless other things. You would not know for a while if you are going to be accepted. Or rejected.

This brought me back to the realm of short stories. Supposedly I could write more short stories than I can write a novel. They are quicker to write than novels. At least that is my theory.

Feels like an insurmountable task ahead of me. Like someone at the gates of a massive castle that only opens to a few. That few are published and paid writers.

Brad R. Torgersen

To quote one of my favorite old movies from the 80’s:

CHARLES DE MAR: I’ve been going to this high school for seven and a half years. I’m no dummy.

I originally put this up on the Writers of the Future phpBB forum, but I wanted to repost it here for everyone who doesn’t visit that forum, but is still curious about what it takes to get called up to the WotF ‘majors’ and, ultimately, get a base hit — or a home run!

These are just my opinions, of course. But seeing as how I never got a rejection — four Honorable Mention and two Finalists, one of which won — I do think I have my finger somewhat on the pulse of the contest.

NOTE: Please read recent volumes of the contest anthology. I’d recommend vol. XX through XXV, if you can get them on-line or at your…

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My Collection of Books on Writing

I decided to finally make a list of books I own or currently have that deal with writing. Many of the Kindle books I grabbed when they are free on amazon. I do not own a Kindle, but I have the Kindle for PC app. They also have a Kindle for the web app so I can read it on a web browser. Which is great for my little linux netbook.
I thought about making each one a link to Amazon but decided against it. WordPress site might have a problem with that. The books should be super easy to find by the copy and paste method.

I hope you find this list useful.

68landscapes04-m241.jpg
A little picture for the eyes courtesy of http://www.hdwallpapersplus.com/

Kindle ebooks:

  • Write your novel in a month by Jeff Gerke (added 12-28-2013) $9.99
  • Plot versus Character by Jeff Gerke
  • The Art of Character by David Corbett
  • Please Understand Me II by David Kerisey
  • APE: Author, Publisher, Entrepreneur–How to Publish a Book by Guy Kawasaki and Shawn Welch (added 12-17-2013) $0
  • 2014 Novel & Short Story Writer’s Market by Rachel Randall
  • Let’s Get Digital: How to Self Publish, And Why You Should by David Gaughran
  • The Seven Moments in Storytelling That Really Matter by Christian Blake
  • The Seven Moments in Storytelling – How to Use Discovery by Christian Blake
  • The Seven Moments in Storytelling – How to Use Conflict by Christian Blake
  • The Seven Moments in Storytelling – How to Use Reinforcement by Christian Blake
  • SHORT STORY: From FIRST Draft to FINAL Product by Michael Milton
  • The Writing of the Short Story by Lewis Worthington Smith
  • Writing Habit Mastery by S.J. Scott
  • 7 Minutes a Day to Mastering the Craft of Writing by Rob Bignell
  • How to Write a Fiction Novel in 30 Days or Less by Nicholas Black
  • The Technique of Fiction Writing by Robert Saunders Dowst
  • Questions That Easily Write Books by Ian Stables
  • Building Your Book for Kindle by Kindle Direct Publishing
  • Read Their Mind by Sandi Krakowski
  • 21 Websites That Pay You To Write by Jenny Kellett
  • Creative Writing by Anon
  • How To Make Money Blogging by Bob Lotich
  • How to Be a Writer and Earn a Living While You’re At it by De Novo Digital Media
  • The Writer’s Tune-up Manual by Craig Hart
  • How to Become a Freelance Writer by William Carter
  • How to Start a Successful Blog in One Hour by Steve Scott
  • Make Art Make Money: Lessons from Jim Henson on Fueling Your Creative Career by Elizabeth Hyde Stevens
  • The Prolific Writer: How to Write Faster, Better, and More Easily than Ever Before by Ethan Miller
  • Bit Literacy: Productivity in the Age of Information and E-Mail Overload by Mark Hurst
  • Tor/Forge Author Voices: Volume 1 by Kristin Sevick
  • Tor/Forge Author Voices: Volume 3 by Stacy Hague-Hill
  • So, You Want to Write a Book – Simple Guidelines to Creating Your Publishable Book by Othniel Seiden
  • Structuring Your Novel: Essential Keys for Writing an Outstanding Story by K.M Weiland
  • Outlining Your Novel: Map Your Way to Success by K.M. Weiland
  • A Novel Idea: Story Structure Tips for the Break-Out Novelist by Eddie Jones
  • The Easy Way to Write Short Stories That Sell by Rob Parnell
  • The Book on Writing Paula LaRocque
  • Tell, Don’t Show! by James Lofquist
  • Three Great Techniques for Plotting Your Novel or Screenplay
  • Show or Tell? A Powerful Lesson on a Crucial Writing Skill by James Thayer
  • Fun to Write Novel Writing Action Kit by Donna Monday
  • How to Write Amazingly Hypnotic Copy to Sell Your Stuff Easily and Quickly by Curtis Burns
  • Beyond the Writing by Jennifer Malone Wright
  • WRITE EVERY DAY: How to Write Faster, and Write More by Cathy Yardley
  • Rock Your Plot: A Simple System for Plotting Your Novel by Cathy Yardley
  • Rock Your Revisions: A Simple System for Revising Your Novel by Cathy Yardley
  • 2k to 10k: Writing Faster, Writing Better, and Writing More of What You Love by Rachel Aaron. (added 8-25-2012) $.99
  • Hooked by Les Edgerton
  • Write Fast: 21 Powerful Ways to Cut Your Writing Time in Half by Bryan Hufford
  • Word Up! How to Write Powerful Sentences and Paragraphs by Marcia Riefer Johnston
  • Telling Details, 2nd Edition by Kat Duncan
  • How to Speak and Write Correctly by Joseph Devlin
  • How to Write a New York Times Bestseller in Ten Easy Steps by Jason Mulgrew
  • Creative Thinking by Infinite Ideas
  • Secrets of Successful Writers by Darrel Pitt
  • Writing With Power: Techniques for Mastering the Writing Process by Peter Elbow
  • The Definitive Guide to Writing on Your Terms, Using Your Own, Honest-to-God, Gut-Wrenching… by Rebecca Tsaros Dickson
  • Writing Active Setting Book 1: Characterization and Sensory Detail by Mary Buckham
  • Writing Active Setting Book 2: Emotion, Conflict and Back Story by Mary Buckham
  • Creating Characters: How to Build Story People by Dwight V. Swain
  • Perfecting Plot: Charting the Hero’s Journey by William Bernhardt
  • Story Structure: The Key To Successful Fiction by William Bernhardt
  • Creating Character: Bringing Your Story To Life by William Bernhardt
  • Nail Your Novel by Roz Morris
  • The Busy Writer’s One-Hour Character by Marg McAlister
  • The Busy Writer’s One-Hour Plot by Marg McAlister
  • The Busy Writer’s Book of Checklists by Marg McAlister
  • The Busy Writer’s Self-Editing Toolbox by Marg McAlister
  • The Emotion Thesaurus: A Writer’s Guide to Character Expression by Becca Puglisi and Angela Ackerman
  • The Ultimate Fiction Thesaurus – A Writing Study by Sam Stone
  • The Ultimate Fiction Thesaurus II by Sam Stone
  • Story Structure to Die for by PJ Reese
  • How to Write Great Blog Posts that Engage Readers by Steve Scott
  • Show & Tell in a Nutshell: Demonstrated Transitions from Telling to Showing by Jessica Bell
  • Writing Tools: 50 Essential Strategies for Every Writer by Roy Peter Clark (added 8-3-2010) $8.99
  • The Prolific Writer’s Toolbox: No Nonsense Tips For Writing Fast by Greg Scott and David Masters.
  • How to Edit A Book Fast And Easy: The editing, grammar, and punctuation system that works by Ian Stables
  • Write A F*$%’ing Book Already – How To Write a Book To Skyrocket Sales and Boost Your Career by Jim Kukral
  • Secrets to Ebook Publishing Success by Mark Coker
  • Self Publishing Books 101: Helping You Get Published and Noticed by Shelley Hitz
  • Sporadic – Read this and Crush your writer’s block! by Gregory Warshaw
  • How To Diagnose Your Character: Using Psychology To Create and In-Depth Character by Joshua Hoyt
  • The Creative Writing Workbook Create and Develop the Writer Within by Susan Clayson
  • Smashwords Style Guide – How to Format Your Ebook by Mark Coker
  • Smashwords Book Marketing Guide by Mark Coker
  • A Step By Step Guide to Formatting Kindle Table of Contents by Victoria Sunsett
  • How to Land (and Keep) a Literary Agent by Noah Lukeman
  • Audacious Creativity by Stephanie Gunning
  • Climbing Your Inner Mountain: Ten Steps to Reaching Any Goal by Robert S. Shumake
  • 13 Ways to Get the Writing Done Faster: 2 Pro Writers Share Their Secrets by Linda Formichelli and Carol Tice (added 4-25-2013) $.99
  • Believable Characters: Creating with Enneagrams by Laurie Schnebly
  • How to Write Short Stories in 6 Easy Steps by KS Tan
  • Essays in the Art of Writing by Robert Louis Stevenson
  • Deconstructing Tolkien: A Fundamental Analysis of the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit by Jane Yolen and Edward J. McFadden III
  • Writing Fiction For Dummies by Peter Economy and Randy Ingermanson (added 11-26-2010) $0 (note: this is where I got Randy’s Snowflake Pro for 50% off)
  • How to Write More Words More Easily by Terrance Field (added 1-22-2014) This little book cost me $0 at Amazon. It was a fast, easy read and has lots of good, actionable material in it.
  • Self-Editing for Fiction Writers, Second Edition: How to Edit Yourself Into Print by Renni Browne and Dave King. (added  1- 31-2014)
  • Creating Characters: A Sure-Fire Method for Making Real People Out of Nothing at All by Jennifer Dahl (added 5-18, 2014) $1.49
  • Writing in Overdrive: Write Faster, Write Freely, Write Brilliantly by Jim Denney (added 5-26-2014) $3.99
  • Screenwriting Tricks For Authors (and Screenwriters!) by Alexandra Sokoloff (added 5-27-2014) $3.99
  • FLOW by Ian Hollander (added 5-29-2014)
  • The Adventure of Creation (Think Sideways Writers Anthology Book 1) by Holly Lisle (added 6-27-2014) $0
  • Writing the Heart of Your Story: The Secret to Crafting an Unforgettable Novel (The Writer’s Toolbox Series) by
    C. S. Lakin (added 6-28-2014) $4.99
  • Creativity STORM by Auden Sparks (added 5-29-2014)
  • The Anatomy of Story: 22 Steps to Becoming a Master Storyteller by John Truby (added 7-5-2014) $8.49
  • The Positive Trait Thesaurus: A Writer’s Guide to Character Attributes by Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi (added 7-11-2014) $5.99
  • The Negative Trait Thesaurus: A Writer’s Guide to Character Flaws by Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi (added 7-11-2014) $5.99
  • I Am A Writer – A Story About Finding Your Inner Author (“The Mentor Code” series – How To Be A Writer Book 1) by C.G. Cooper (added 7-27-2014) $0
  • Novelsmithing, The Structural Foundation of Plot, Character, and Narration by David Sheppard (added 8-11-2014) $0
  • How To Write A Novel The Easy Way Using The Pulp Fiction Method To Write Better Novels by Jim Driver and Jack Davies (added 8-11-2014) $0
  • Sizzling Style: Every Word Matters (Red Sneaker Writers Book Series 5) by William Bernhardt (added 8-11-2014) $0
  • Self-Publishing Steps To Successful Sales by Seumas Gallacher (added 8-11-2014) $0
  • Story Alchemy: The Search for the Philosopher’s Stone of Storytelling (Author’s Craft Book 2) by David Sheppard and Richard Sheppard (added 8-11-2014) $0
  • How To Write Irresistible Stories by David Ho, Rebecca Patrick-Howard, Victoria Davidson (added 8-11-2014) $0
  • Slow Your Prose: 25 Tips on How New Authors Can Improve Their Craft by James W. Lewis (added 8-11-2014) $0
  • Ditch the Publisher: 40 Indie Authors on Their Unique Self-Publishing Journeys by Russell Blake, Beth Orsoff, Michael J Sullivan, Lindsay Burouker, L.J. Sellers, David Jay Ramsden, Scott Nicholson, Hayley Sherman (added 8-11-2014) $0
  • Beginners guide – to setting up your writing career (was, ‘How to be a writer, or not!’): Direct discussion on SP, formatting, character building for beginners! by Ruth Watson-Morris (added 8-11-2014) $0
  • 1600 Words An Hour: How To Write Faster, Better & More Polished Books For Kindle Using The QC System by Jim Driver, Jack Davies (added 8-16-2014) $2.99
  • How To Write The Million Dollar Story: Complete Step-By-Step Guide To Story Structure & Writing Novels: Fastest Way To Master Plotting & The Art of Story by Jim Driver, Jack Davies (added 8-21-2014) $3.99
  • Create A Character Clinic: A Step-By Step Course in Creating Deeper, Better Fictional People by Holly Lisle (added 11-25-2014) $9.95
  • Holly Lisle’s Create A Culture Clinic (WORLDBUILDING SERIES Book 2) by Holly Lisle (added 11-29-2014) $9.95
  • Holly Lisle’s Create A World Clinic (WORLDBUILDING SERIES Book 3) by Holly Lisle (added 11-29-2014) $9.95
  • Secrets of the World’s Bestselling Writer: The Storytelling Techniques of Erle Stanley Gardner by Francis L. Fugate, Roberta B. Fugate (added 12-7-2014) $9.99
  • Gotta Read It! – Five Simple Steps to a Fiction Pitch That Sells by Libbie Hawker (added 12-7-2014) $.99
  • How to Write a Novel Using the Snowflake Method (Advanced Fiction Writing Book 1) by Randy Ingermanson (added 12-8-2014) $.99
  • Checking on Culture: An Aid to Building Story Backgrounds by Lee Killough
  • Writer’s Doubt: The #1 Enemy of Writing (and What You Can Do About It) Bryan Hutchinson, Joe Bunting, Joan Faith Hutchinson
  • Write Your Novel From The Middle: A New Approach for Plotters, Pantsers and Everyone in Between by James Scott Bell
  • 77 Reasons Why Your Book Was Rejected by Mike Nappa
  • How to Write a Great Query Letter: Insider Tips and Techniques for Success by Noah Lukeman
  • Writer’s Friend by M. D. Ainsley
  • The Writer’s Book of Inspiration: Quotes on Writing and the Literary Life by Stephanie Gunning
  • How NOT To Write Short Stories Seven Errors To Avoid (Essential Writers’ Guidebooks Book 2) byJohn Howard Reid
  • 25 Ways to Beat Writer’s Block: (While Improving Your Writing Skills) by Paul Carroll
  • The Happy Writer: Your Secret Weapon Against Rejection, Dejection, Writer’s Block, And The Emotional Pitfalls Of The Writing Life by Writer’s Relief
  • The Cunning Man: A Hippo Yeoman Anthology by John Yeoman (added 12-12-2014) $4.57

Nook ebooks

  • 250 Things You Should Know About Writing By Chuck Wendig
  • 500 Ways to Be A Better Writer by Chuck Wendig
  • 500 More Ways to Be A Better Writer by Chuck Wendig
  • Revenge of the Penmonkey by Chuck Wendig
  • Write That Novel by David Farland
  • Drawing on the Power of Resonance in Writing by David Farland
  • Million Dollar Outlines by David Farland
  • Elements of Fiction by Orson Scott Card
  • The Fire in Fiction by Donald Maass
  • How to Write a Great Book by Tom Evans
  • Immediate Fiction by Jerry Cleaver
  • Keys to Great Writing by Stephen Wilbers
  • Let’s Write a Short Story by Joe Bunting
  • The Magic of Writing by Linda Falkner
  • Make a Scene: Crafting a Powerful Story One Scene at a Time by Jordan Rosenfeld
  • Modern Library Writer’s Workshop by Stephen Koch
  • Scrivener For Dummies by Gwen Hernandez
  • Sharp Writing: Building Better Writing Skills by Kaplan
  • Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon
  • Story Engineering by Larry Brooks
  • Story Starters: Mini Edition by Clifford Fryman
  • The Storyteller’s Art: How Not to Bore Your Reader to Sleep, Tears, or Homicide by Francis W. Porretto
  • The Techniques of the Selling Writer by Dwight V. Swain
  • Write Good or Die by Scott Nicholson
  • Writers Write by William Meikle
  • Writing Fantasy and Science Fiction by Brian Stableford
  • Writing Fiction For All Your Worth by James Scott Bell
  • Writing to be Understood by G. Allen Clark
  • You Are a Writer (So Start Acting Like One) by Jeff Goins

Physical books

  • On Writing by Stephen King (This one I was rather meh about as I was expecting something I could use immediately. It took me awhile to realize that his concept of the writer’s toolbox is something every writer needs to develop on their own. Thus my collection on how-to on writing had dramatically increased in the past few years).
  • The Art of Fiction by John Gardner
  • 45 Master Characters by Victoria Lynn Schmidt
  • The Writer’s Guide to Character Traits by Linda N. Edelstein, Ph.D
  • What If? Writing Exercises for Fiction Writers by Anne Bernays and Pamela Painter
  • The Art of Dramat!c Wr!t!ng by Lajos Egri
  • The Only Book on Grammar You’ll Ever Need by Susan Thurman
  • Body Trauma: a writer’s guide to wounds and injury by David W. Page
  • Writer’s Digest Guide to Novel Writing
  • No Plot? No Problem by Chris Baty
  • Worlds of Wonder by David Gerrold
  • How to Write a Damn Good Novel by James N. Frey
  • How to Write a Damn Good Novel II by James N. Frey
  • The Key by James N. Frey
  • Strunk and White The Elements of Style 3rd Edition
  • Strunk and White the Illustrated Edition
  • Sometimes the Magic Works by Terry Brooks
  • Write What You Want & Sell What You Write by Skip Press
  • The Pen Commandments by Steven Frank
  • How to Write & Sell Your First Novel by Oscar Collier
  • Comedy Writing Secrets by Mel Helitzer and Mark Shatz
  • 30 Steps to Becoming a Writer and Getting Published by Scott Edelstein
  • The Hero With A Thousand Faces by Joseph Campbell
  • The Writer’s Complete Fantasy Reference by Writer’s Digest
  • Telling Lies for Fun and Profit by Lawrence Block
  • Elements of Fiction Writing: Plot by Ansen Dibell
  • Elements of Fiction Writing: Description by Monica Wood
  • Elements of Fiction Writing: Conflict, Action & Suspense by William Noble
  • Plot and Structure by James Scott Bell
  • How to Write Short Stories by Arco Publishing
  • Cause of Death: a writer’s guide to death, murder & forensic medicine by Keith D. Wilson
  • Malicious Intent: a writer’s guide to how murderers, robbers, rapists and other criminals think by Sean P. Mactire
  • Aspects of the Novel by E.M. Forster
  • 100 Ways to Improve Your Writing by Gary Provost
  • The Craft of Writing Science Fiction That Sells by Ben Bova
  • Novelist’s Boot Camp by Todd A. Stone
  • Character-Naming Sourcebook by Sherrilyn Kenyon, Hal Blythe and Charlie Sweet
  • Building Believable Characters by Marc McCutcheon
  • Page after Page by Heather Sellers
  • Chapter after Chapter by Heather Sellers
  • Techniques of the Selling Writer by Dwight V. Swain (yes I have a ebook of this one as well. I thought I lost it and found it after I bought it online for Kindle).
  • A Creative Writer’s Kit by Judy Reeves
  • How To Write Science Fiction & Fantasy by Orson Scott Card
  • You Can Write A Novel by James V. Smith Jr.
  • Fiction Writer’s Brainstormer by James V. Smith Jr.
  • Breathing LIFE Into Your Characters by Rachel Ballon
  • Writing The Novel by Lawrence Block
  • The Writer’s Guide to Fantasy Literature by Philip Martin
  • The Describer’s Dictionary by David Grambs
  • The Writer’s Partner by Martin Roth
  • Writing the Wave by Elizabeth Ayres
  • First Draft in 30 Days by Karen Wiesner

Poor, starving and near homeless writers category

  • CHEAP MEALS and Amazing Drinks – 70 Recipes to Impress Your Friends & Save Money by Cyrille Malet (Kindle) NOTE: Possibly renamed Budget Recipes – 70 Easy Recipes That Save You Time & Money