Criticism, Rejection--how I cope by Leanne Dyck

Recommended solutions for coping with a manuscript being torn apart by a writing group or having a manuscript rejected by a publisher.

 (all photos taken by Leanne Dyck on Mayne Island, BC, Canada)

[L]earning how to endure your disappointments and frustration is part of the job of a creative person.

 - (Big Magic: creative living beyond fear, Elizabeth Gilbert)

So what's a disappointment for a writer?

How about having that "brilliant" manuscript torn apart by a writing group? 

Torn apart is rather harsh but that's how it feels. Every second word circled, and lengthy comments down the margins don't look like priceless help.

"My baby!" I want to cry.

"You don't understand. I wrote it like that because..."

I want to leap in immediately and defend my work. However, I've discovered that remaining silent and attentively listening is more beneficial. 

Would the proposed changes strengthen the story? If it would, I accept the challenge. 

I choose to approach the rewrite like a game. 

What I wrote doesn't work. What will? What about this? 

And I don't wait for self-doubt to set in, I start working on the manuscript as soon as I can. 

So what's a frustration for a writer?

How about having that "brilliant" manuscript rejected by a publisher?

They rejected my story; they rejected me. My story sucks; I suck. Does that sound like your self-talk?

I can go on and on like that or...or...

Instead, I view the submitting process as a treasure hunt. The treasure:  a publisher for my story. I leave no stone unturned as I hunt. Every rejection letter I receive means that yet another publisher has taken the time to read my story. Every rejection letter received is proof that I Am a Writer. Every "no" brings me closer to a "yes".

If destiny didn't want me to be a writer, I figure then it shouldn't have made me one. But it did make me one, and I've decided to meet that destiny with as much good cheer and as little drama as I can--because how I choose to handle myself as a writer is entirely my own choice... My ultimate choice...is to always approach my work from a place of stubborn gladness.

 (Big Magic: creative living beyond fear, Elizabeth Gilbert)

More...

Writer Unboxed article:  Are we having fun yet?

Picture Books in Canada

One of my favourite picture book authors is Robert Munsch. 

I especially like Love You Forever and Paper Bag Princess.

Question:  (thus far) how many books has Robert Munsch written?

Scroll down for the answer...

Next post:  Sunday, June 12 (around 5 PM PST) I'm participating in Tundra Books' blog tour for Paula Weston's last book in her Rephaim series--Burn (YA fantasy).

Sharing my author journey...

And I try to view my writing with stubborn gladness, as well. But sometimes, sometimes...

Writing Picture Books by Leanne Dyck

I cared for infants, toddlers and preschoolers in a day care centre for over fourteen years. Before that, I was a Sunday school teacher and a child minder. Happy memories of sharing stories with children skipped through my mind and my pen flew across the page. When I finally ran out of ink, I'd written two picture books.

'Competition for publication of picture books is fierce. Many publishers receive hundreds of these manuscripts every month and picture books are expensive to produce. You will be competing with well established children's writers...and with the work of author-illustrators....
[I]t's best to approach this genre armed with information...
The Canadian Children's Book Centre'

Here's a list of 20+ picture book publishers.

My journey to seeing my manuscripts published has just begun. Over the months to come, I will continue to share this adventure with you.

One thing I won't be doing is self-publishing these--or any other--picture book. 

Listen to Joanna's Penn with picture book author Karen Inglis.

And even if I don't find a publisher, I've already gained from the experience of writing them.

I assure you that with every picture book manuscript you write, your ability to write tight and clever will improve. How to Write Children's Picture Books by Tara Lazar.

And as always, reading is key.

Picture books have a unique rhythm and cadence, a certain subtlety that can only be understood by reading and absorbing them...I suggest reading 500 picture books before you sit down to write your first manuscript. How To Write Children's Picture Books by Tara Lazar.

So, as I travel this journey to publication, I return to my favourite bookstore. 

"What's your best-selling picture book," I ask the clerk. Because if you want to live there, you need to visit...

And why travel alone?
Canadian Society of Children's Authors, Illustrators and Performers

You may also be interested in reading...


What To Do With A Picture Book Manuscript by Janet McNaughton




Sharing my author journey...