While surfing the Internet a few years back, I came across a quote that I found challenging as well as inspirational. In an earlier post, I mentioned it in passing, but thought I would elaborate since it’s become my own personal mantra about writing.
The quote was from a conversation between an MFA writing student and his professor. The student was bemoaning the astronomical odds against selling a manuscript, as evidenced by his own lack of publication credits, to which the professor replied, “If you’re not getting published, write a better story!”
What a line! Don’t succumb to the “victim’s” mindset. Don’t blame the state of the publishing industry. Don’t blame editors or agents or your “competition.” Just keep working at your craft, submitting, and getting better.
Like I said, I took the advice as a challenge and an inspiration. As one who has published a couple short pieces but has yet to have a novel published, it’s the advice I repeat to myself every day as I walk down to the writing shack . . . and keep trying to get better.
5 comments:
So true! Excuses are wearisome. Kind of puts me back thinking of the tortoise and the hare--slow and steady wins the race. Persist!
Mark,
Now that you mention it, the victim's mindset IS a common reaction that I see in many of my students. Good advice to "write a better story!"
I'm always trying to get better...
I love this.
Very good advice, Mark. There isn't much we can do about editors, the market, or our competition. What we DO have control over is our own writing, and it's good to keep that in mind. I can't make an editor buy my story, but I can work hard, improve my craft, and write the best book I can.
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