Last Friday I entered a delightful world. It was a world of authors and editors and lovers of books. It was a world of fantasy, magic, and wonder, as well as a world of reality, substance, and authenticity. It was a timeless world, where word is king, and imagination can take you anywhere. United by our love of storytelling we gathered from everywhere to a special place of sharing.
This was my first adventure into the magical land called LDS Storymakers Convention. I found this place warm and delightful. I met supportive friendly people with stunning ideas and amazing talent. I attended fascinating presentations taught by people who were brilliant and interesting.
I brought home a brand new bag of tools, which is bulging with new things; new ideas, new knowledge, new skills, and new friends. If you were a presenter, I thank you for sharing your time and talents. If you were an organizer, I thank you for the hours of preparation, for the attention to detail, and for that special touch of fun which was liberally sprinkled throughout the conference. If you were a participant, thank you for bringing your unique contribution and creating an unforgettable experience for me.
Writers are an interesting bunch. We are diverse on many levels, yet we have much in common. We have something to say and we need to say it. We gotta write. We don’t just love to write; we gotta write. Deep inside we have a craving that is only satisfied when we write. For me it not really about money, or even about being published. It is about having a voice. It is about making a difference. Sometimes I wonder if I chose writing, or if it chose me.
Thanks to my incredible critique group who are always there for me. I adore them and I appreciate their love and support, and their valuable advice. It was great fun to share the Storymakers experience with them.
Gotta go! Gotta write.
Linda Garner
Showing posts with label publish. Show all posts
Showing posts with label publish. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Persistence
There is something to be said for persistence. This wasn’t the first time I took up the pen and paper. When I was in high school, I tried my hand at teen romance. It was pretty good, I thought. I took it to a co-worker who read the first page and then returned it, saying it was, and I quote, “Okay.” That book found the bottom of my trash bin in a hurry.
As an adult, I thought I would try my hand at children’s books. I wrote two of them. Putting so much of my heart and soul into them, I didn’t dare share my stories with anyone for fear of the rejection I would get. I hid them away beside my bed, only to find a few of the pages in the garbage after an afternoon of cleaning.
Years later, the writing bug bit once again. This time I tired to push the urge away and bury it deep down within the soul of my unfinished projects. The urge continued. I wrote my first novel in years, a fantasy about a girl who learns of a secret power she holds within her. It was totally cool. At least I thought it was.
My second book was about a girl dating the wrong guy. This won me my first real rejection letter. I hung it up in the hallway with pride.
After taking writing courses and attending several writers’ conferences, I have learned many-a-thing. First, you have to learn your craft. Second, you need to read, read, read, read, and read. Third, you can’t give up. Someday, somewhere, somebody will be interested in what you have on paper. If it is a well written piece, it will find a home. The only thing that will make you better and get you published is persistence.
If writing is something in your blood, something you love, don’t give up. There were so many times I could have given up... there were so many times I did give up, but writing keeps coming back to me. It has opened a new world to me, given me new bonds with great people, and a passion for a craft that is so widely felt. I am finally going to have a published piece (thanks Nicole!), and yes, I am giddy with joy. Persistence will get you published. If you have to deal with a few thousand rejection letters, just remember….rejection is a great excuse for chocolate cake and a pint of that really good ice cream!
Keep on keeping on,
Scarlet
As an adult, I thought I would try my hand at children’s books. I wrote two of them. Putting so much of my heart and soul into them, I didn’t dare share my stories with anyone for fear of the rejection I would get. I hid them away beside my bed, only to find a few of the pages in the garbage after an afternoon of cleaning.
Years later, the writing bug bit once again. This time I tired to push the urge away and bury it deep down within the soul of my unfinished projects. The urge continued. I wrote my first novel in years, a fantasy about a girl who learns of a secret power she holds within her. It was totally cool. At least I thought it was.
My second book was about a girl dating the wrong guy. This won me my first real rejection letter. I hung it up in the hallway with pride.
After taking writing courses and attending several writers’ conferences, I have learned many-a-thing. First, you have to learn your craft. Second, you need to read, read, read, read, and read. Third, you can’t give up. Someday, somewhere, somebody will be interested in what you have on paper. If it is a well written piece, it will find a home. The only thing that will make you better and get you published is persistence.
If writing is something in your blood, something you love, don’t give up. There were so many times I could have given up... there were so many times I did give up, but writing keeps coming back to me. It has opened a new world to me, given me new bonds with great people, and a passion for a craft that is so widely felt. I am finally going to have a published piece (thanks Nicole!), and yes, I am giddy with joy. Persistence will get you published. If you have to deal with a few thousand rejection letters, just remember….rejection is a great excuse for chocolate cake and a pint of that really good ice cream!
Keep on keeping on,
Scarlet
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