One among my favorites is attributed to the thirtieth President of the U.S., Calvin Coolidge. The gist of it’s that nothing on the earth can take the place of persistence—not expertise, not genius, not schooling. The quote ends with: “Persistence and willpower alone are all-powerful.”
His phrases could have been written within the early twentieth century, multiple hundred years in the past, however are nonetheless legitimate, particularly for writers.
The ideas I define beneath grew out of Coolidge’s philosophy.
1. Welcome rejection.
I’ve examine “golf equipment” amongst writers through which they problem colleagues to purpose for 100 rejections from publications throughout a single calendar yr.
Though I don’t formally belong to any of those teams, I additionally attempt for 100 rejections.
This isn’t to say that I submit haphazardly to any and all publications, throw pasta on the wall to see what sticks. I do my analysis and decide which journals and/or publications may be an excellent match for my essays, tales, essay collections, or guide chapters, after which act accordingly. And naturally, I completely assessment and edit my writing earlier than I submit it.
However I don’t let the worry of rejection maintain me again when deciding when/the place/what number of items to submit.
I take dangers.
I consider that should you solely submit a dozen or so instances a yr, every rejection is that rather more painful, and carries that rather more weight. That’s to not say that I look ahead to rejections, however I’m not devastated when one arrives in my e-mail queue (or through snail mail) as a result of I’ve different items out on the earth that I’m equally pleased with.
Following a rejection, I then make an observation of the journal in query, in addition to the submission that was rejected. If an editor had any constructive feedback, I make observe of these additionally, and thank her or him. I could assessment my submission but once more at that time to ensure I didn’t miss any inconsistencies or errors.
My level, although, is that it’s not the top of the world once I obtain a rejection since I’ve despatched out a wholesome quantity; that manner every submission isn’t fairly so treasured.
2. Ignore unkind feedback.
As soon as in a protracted lengthy whereas, I’ll obtain a rejection that appears private, although submissions are nameless. Perhaps they’re bored with studying about COVID, or dysfunctional households, or the plight of single mother and father, and so on. One thing strikes a discordant observe, and a journal staffer might need harsh phrases for me, the author.
Once more, that is very uncommon, however when it occurs I attempt to take it in stride and, ideally, inform myself that the editor or reader was simply having a nasty day when she wrote that “any fool is aware of such and such” about one of many sentences in my piece. Or perhaps he/she was simply sick of regardless of the subject of my essay or story was.
Lastly, perhaps there was a kernel of fact within the criticism, as soon as I excavate it from the sender’s harshness; I search for that kernel.
3. Don’t be in a rush.
I as soon as submitted an essay to a publication and so they accepted it a yr after I submitted it. I don’t know if it was misplaced within the slush pile after which rescued by a brand new editor, or in the event that they reevaluated its advantage. I didn’t ask, and was simply joyful they wished to publish it.
In all of the instances I’m conversant in, journals are run by hard-working volunteer employees and, even when they’re paid, it’s not a lot, so I attempt to undertake an angle of gratitude and endurance whereas ready to listen to again about my submissions.
4. Don’t obsess about your age (particularly should you’re a sure age).
I’m a Child Boomer and a few (fortunately, not all) individuals erroneously assume that these of us previous a sure age needs to be in any other case engaged: sitting in rocking chairs, knitting booties, watching tv nonstop, having lunch out with pals recurrently, frittering away our days on senseless actions.
Thankfully, it’s a uncommon angle, but it surely does occur.
Regardless, that’s not me. That may by no means be me. I’ve a husband, kids, and grandchildren I like, and hobbies I take pleasure in, however I additionally am a full-time author.
A corollary to this rule is that those that assume you want many years underneath your belt to succeed in a sure stage in a profession—say, writing—are mistaken. Do what you need together with your life whilst you can; spend your time doing what you take pleasure in.
For me, writing is a type of issues. In my case, I had a satisfying and lengthy profession as a translator and linguist, working with greater than a dozen languages, and touring everywhere in the world, however I all the time wished to be a author, too, and did it unofficially for many years. However, when the time was proper, writing turned my principal vocation.
My level is that solely you recognize your background, and solely you possibly can determine what you wish to do with the remainder of your life.
5. Don’t routinely anticipate your work to be obtained with fixed or far-reaching accolades, however all the time work in direction of that purpose.
Your laborious work, ready, and persistence may not yield the Pulitzer Prize or the Nationwide E-book Award, however hopefully, that’s not the explanation you write.
One other of my favourite quotes by Ralph Waldo Emerson sums it up: “The reward of a job nicely carried out is to have carried out it.”
Normally, that’s sufficient impetus for me. I’ve essays I’ve labored on for hours, days, months, and so they’re languishing in my drawer (or on my laptop), not but picked up by anybody for publication. However I do know in my coronary heart they’re good. I view them as my foster kids; they’ve so many fantastic traits and I simply must hold looking for the proper dwelling for them. Within the meantime, they haven’t misplaced their luster simply because the New York Occasions isn’t pulling down my door to publish them.
The underside line for me continues to be: “If at first, you don’t succeed, attempt, attempt once more.” Or, to cite the rallying cry adopted by feminists in 2017 after Mitch McConnell used it to explain Senator Elizabeth Warren’s unwillingness to be silenced: “However, she endured.” I do know I wouldn’t have achieved half of what I’ve achieved—in writing and with different lifetime endeavors—if I hadn’t been persistent.
