You’ve heard this: You have to kiss a lot of frogs before you find your prince. The same mindset holds true for writing. You have to submit to a lot of literary journals before you find the perfect fit for your story or essay. You have to query a lot of agents before you find … Read More
We’re on This Journey Alone Together
I sometimes see writers post on social media congratulating another writer’s success but then pivoting to compare their own progress—usually self-deprecatingly, often from a place of despair. They do so as if there is suddenly less space for them. They are sincerely happy for the other writer but seem to feel as if their own … Read More
Rejection Rituals
Last week I wrote about Celebration Rituals. Writing wins are unquestionably something to celebrate. But guess what? Rejections are something to celebrate, too. Rejections are progress. I know it doesn’t feel like it in the moment, but they are. They mean you’re out there trying. You can’t get a rejection unless you submit something or … Read More
Killing My Darlings
Years ago, I was watching an episode of a reality television show, and it drove home to me what no craft book ever had—how much of a disservice we do ourselves and our readers when we are too precious about our words. It’s not that I’m unsympathetic. As writers, we put ourselves out there. We … Read More