Thursday, April 29, 2010

Thirty Word Thursday - A thought about dealing with rejections



Truman Capote on criticism responses:

Never demean yourself by talking back to a critic...Write those letters to the editor in your head, but don't put them down on paper.

15 comments:

Jessica Bell said...

Too true! I seriously wince when I read about some of the quick stabs authors have written after being rejected. Poor things. Some people just can't hold their tongues.

Vicki Rocho said...

Good advice for life in general, not just rejections.

I can't tell you how many seething letters I've written over the years...then promptly ripped into teeny tiny pieces. I felt better and nobody got hurt! Win-win!

Anonymous said...

LOL, great quote. I should print it out and paste it on the wall. ;)

Tracy said...

I agree, unfortunately, that doesn't always hold water ... or better yet, you can't always hold your tongue when said critic is your own mother. LOL

Matthew MacNish said...

Great advice, thanks Michelle!

Carolyn V. said...

Totally true!!!! I couldn't agree with you more!

Christine Fonseca said...

So darn true!@

Elana Johnson said...

This is awesome advice. Sometimes I do type them up and don't send them. I just feel better having all those emotions out.

Cynthia Reese said...

It's amazing how people will calmly accept a letter saying that a position has been filled, but will post a long diatribe about an agent's rejection.

Above all, a writer must be professional. That's hard, when the work product we're trying to sell is so much of our own identity. But if we can't look professional and act professional and BE professional, why would we expect a multi-billion dollar corporation to take a chance on one of our books?

Good post, and good reminders!

Bethanne said...

This is great advice. :)

B.J. Anderson said...

Very sound advice.

Jemi Fraser said...

Now that is really good advice :)

Jan Markley said...

here's a new take on Geroge kastanza's theory of rejection, but for writers: it's not me - it's them! ;-j

Natalie said...

This is SO TRUE. A writer I know posted a criticism of a criticism on Goodreads. I lost all respect for her. People may hate our books for A MILLION REASONS. We look ridiculous when we try to change their minds by fighting back.

Stina said...

I find it helps if I write it down then delete it. But delete it BEFORE you have the urge to send it. Not that I waste time doing that (and it usually has nothing to do with my writing), but once in awhile it helps to do it.