A Second Wind

Any runners out there? Well to be quite frank, I love running but with a recent change in my day job, running has sort of fallen by the wayside. Anyhow, I'll get to the point and the connection I'm trying tobetween running and writing.

This week I've seen a multitude of rejections come across the loop. They seem to come and go in waves, leaving masses in their wake. Some of them are definitely warranted and others are just a difference in taste or opinion. The key is asking yourself which type of rejection you're dealing with.

Back probably a year and a half ago I started sending out my first completed manuscript.  I wasn't sure it was ready but I didn't have the knowledge or experience to discern what was missing or what made it incomplete. The first few rejections rolled in and while I was disappointed, I couldn't fault the agents. If I wasn't completely happy with it, how could I expect them to be? Then again, I believe I convinced myself the negative thoughts about my manuscript were due my being too hard on myself. But was I?

The truth is that writing a novella or novel is a lot of work. With all the writing and rewrites, a short or long story turns into the equivalent of a marathon. It's no wonder we all need a second wind every now and then. It allows us to look at our manuscript with a fresh set of eyes. Several rejections later, I decided to shelve my first manuscript. Only recently have I started to pull it out and look at it. The issues that eluded me then, are now so evident. My characters seem two-dimensional, my world building falls flat. My second wind came a while later but my hope is my manuscript will be all the better for it.

As you writers deal with the inevitable grasp of rejection, try to determine whether it is warranted or not. Ask yourself how you feel about your manuscript or take a step back to allow yourself time to gather your second wind. We are forever on a scale, trying to achieve our balance. There needs to be a healthy dose of constructive criticism, but it should never be exaggerated.  Good luck and happy writing!

Filed under: Toni Kelly, Writer's Life, Writing Topics