~ January 24, 2020 ~
“I made a New Year’s resolution again. Two, actually. To finish drafting the sequel to my book, and to enter a writing contest.”
~ May 5, 2020 ~
“Well, I found out I didn’t make the cut for the contest today. Not even the semi-finals. Lots of feelings and disappointment, but no more to say really. Just not the path.
I was listening to the audio Bible in my truck this morning, and it was on the parable of the sower. I smiled. What I needed to do was clear–keep sowing seeds.”
This is a hard one to share, friends. Doesn’t bode well for an aspiring author to divulge such a thing, eh? Well, it’s not about winning or losing, so they say. What, then, is it about?
I’ve seen a few movies over the years that followed similar plotlines. Something like . . . guy has a dash of adversity, or does something bad, then changes his ways or overcomes somehow. He applies for the job, and gets it. And asks the girl out, and she says yes. And they get married. Then have kids. He saves the family business, and the town. And the universe.
Okay, not the universe. But do you see what’s missing? Those are the makings of an enviable life, but a bad movie. And we sit there shaking our heads, thinking, “Good for them, but that’s not how it works in the real world.”
Why else keep on with this journey, if not to win? What could be more important?
The story. Your story. I’ll dare to presume all of you, my fellow travelers, have faced rejection. You’ve gone after something and lost. I’ll also wager that if you gave your all, if you tried again, if your heart was in it and you paid dearly, even though you lost–you don’t regret it. Because defeat can bear fruit of its own and play a part in your dreams, if you persevere. You may not have won the prize, but what did you gain from the experience?
I met my editor through that contest. And I gained insight from all the judges, even the harsh ones. Whether it be humility or foolishness, I cannot say, but I’ll admit to you I went on to enter more contests since then, never to win. Yet I gleaned what I could from feedback, adding it all to a growing wealth of knowledge. A curious pattern emerged. With each contest, two judges would give mediocre scores, while the third gave high marks, their exuberance jumping off the page.
Proving a point I’d heard many times: reading is very subjective. Most readers don’t like most books. They only like the tiny sliver in their sub-genre. Ergo, when entering a contest category for speculative/sci-fi/fantasy/horror/supernatural, one should not have high expectations. There is much chance involved in the lottery of judges. One need not win over all the judges and all the readers. Not what it’s about. Rather, connecting with the right readers and touching their lives for good. Only the very best stories can do that.
These judges are entitled to their opinions, after all. And in most cases, they’ve donated their time and done their best to provide meaningful feedback, a precious commodity to budding authors. I’m thankful for all of them, even those I disagreed with, for I learned from every single one, and each sacrificed their time for my sake.
Nay, I haven’t fared as well as hoped, but before I move on I must share with you a gem from one of them: “The author’s voice is poetic prose of Middle-earth.” I’d love to put that on the back cover of the book, but it’s not allowed!
My sincere hope is that you, too, can reflect on your losses and see how your life benefited, your skills increased, your wisdom deepened, perhaps. Honestly, I think sometimes defeat serves no other purpose than building empathy for others in our hearts, which is no small thing.
I don’t want the hokey, comfy, everything-went-right plot. I know sometimes it’s one step forward and two steps back. Other times I just overflow. I want whatever He has in store–to play my part in the Grand Story.
I leave you now with these words someone prayed over me years ago–
“Answer His call, do what He wants you to do. You can’t stand the thought of wasting your life, being 60-70 years old with nothing to show for it. You want it to mean something, to make jewels that last with the time you have, not hay and wood that will burn up.”
Write On,
Fellow Traveler
Well said Fellow Traveler.
There’s always that hope that the passion that we have for our creative works would be shared by many others – that there would be a connective appreciation for the dedication we spent on our craft.
But usually our work doesn’t receive that type of reception. Still, rejection and criticism are far better than silence.
Nevertheless, your art can – and does – move some people with its craftsmanship.
It is appreciated and respected.
And while you may not be Tolkien to all, you are Tolkien to some.
Regardless, your bravery is inspiring and your transparency is influential.
In the grander scheme of things, God gave us the talents to use, refine, and multiply.
Thank you for not burying your talents but sharing them with the world.
Keep writing
Keep sharing
Keep going
I’m grateful for your companionship and encouragement, Poet. Your eloquence reminds us all of the power of words. I will keep on, and you do the same with your own creative works. Love that line about Tolkien!