James Lee Burke’s Advice on Peseverance
While I’m getting caught up from a whirlwind September, I wanted to share something I read in the recent (November/December 2011) issue of Writer’s Digest with you. The article is James Lee Burke: The Art & Craft of Perseverance by Lindsey O’Connor (pages 34-37). In it he talks about rejection and moving forward because you know it’s what you’re meant to do it, regardless of rejection. The fourth book he wrote, The Lost Get-Back Boogie, was rejected 111 times over 9 years, but he kept at it. He never lets a manuscript stay at home longer than 36 hours. He keeps them moving, seeking publication. If there’s no movement, there’s no publication. This book was finally picked up by LSU Press and nominated for a Pulitzer Prize. What a great story!
Here are a few quotes from that article for inspiration:
“…you write it as well as you can, you let God be the judge of it, don’t worry about the critics and rejection.”
“You can never listen to the naysayers. If you do you won’t survive. You never doubt yourself. If God gives a gift to someone, it’s for a reason. It’s to make the world a better place.”
“You just put your rejection slips in a shoebox and tell yourself one day you’re going to autograph them and sell them at auction.”
This issue of Writer’s Digest is full of other articles with valuable information as well. This is a personal recommendation, not a commercial one. I was reading it late last night, taking notes, when I looked up and it was nearly 2:00 in the morning! Gotta find the time somewhere! LOL!
