tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1002113089297135210.post4104622421633204362..comments2023-11-16T20:34:36.744-06:00Comments on ... MICHAEL DI GESU ... ... ... In Time ... ...: REJECTIONS....REJECTIONS....REJECTIONS....Michael Di Gesuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17047267262428143113noreply@blogger.comBlogger55125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1002113089297135210.post-85166335779498504522017-07-19T02:12:09.134-05:002017-07-19T02:12:09.134-05:00{{big hugs}}
There was one time I had a horrible ...{{big hugs}}<br /><br />There was one time I had a horrible dry spell that lasted for years. I thought the writing impulse was gone for good and it was as though a part of my self-expression was gone. I couldn't put pen to paper for fiction or poetry anymore.<br />But that's a good question, what brought it back?<br />I think it was a combination of contradictory stuff:<br />I didn't worry too much day-to-day about when it might return (though I felt the ache a lot)<br />I worked on other hobbies<br />I kept reading a lot<br />I joined the Compuserve Books and Writers Community -- there's nothing like being excited by the ongoing work of fellow authors<br />I stopped worrying about having it sound perfect in the first draft<br />But I also started actively trying to learn more of the craft<br />Once I'd started again, I did not stop -- it really is true that writing is a muscle that needs constant exercise<br />I find that prompts and writing exercises and things like bloghops and prompts help me a lot. I work better with a bit of a guideline or deadline. Stephen Fry's The Ode Less Travelled was a great way to learn about forms of poetry and write a few of my own.<br />Writing a lot and often has made it easier to handle rejections -- I don't have time to dwell on them, as I'm already focused on other projects.<br />Hope we all get fewer rejections as time goes by!Deniz Bevanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17134553551048836979noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1002113089297135210.post-18074100562780342722017-06-19T15:38:20.720-05:002017-06-19T15:38:20.720-05:00I'm sorry I'm so late getting to this post...I'm sorry I'm so late getting to this post. I was so excited to learn you'd won that Twitter pitch and so sorry to hear about the disappointment. The same thing happened to another friend of mine and combined with some health issues, she thought about quitting also. You have way too much creative talent not to continue. And Melissa would definitely want you to go on. <br />Losing Melissa hit me too though I wasn't close to her like you. I lost someone else very close to me on that same day and it was hard to write anything for a while. I know you'll bounce back.Susan Gourley/Kelleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02669793865290876168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1002113089297135210.post-70433976767848041432017-06-13T15:33:33.439-05:002017-06-13T15:33:33.439-05:00I'm sorry you feel so down, Michael. When life...I'm sorry you feel so down, Michael. When life deals you one slap after another, it's hard to keep up hope. But something good will come your way, I'm sure. Soon. I believe it, and so should you.<br />Thanks for visiting my blog. Olga Godimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00358026814685611301noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1002113089297135210.post-69561506189893189852017-06-12T17:51:21.093-05:002017-06-12T17:51:21.093-05:00Getting rejection letters does stink. I think it i...Getting rejection letters does stink. I think it is great that you can hear Melissa's advice in your head. Sometimes it takes time to get back on the horse so to speak. Wishing you happy condo hunting and that you feel like writing soon. :) <br />~JessDMShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04202502753961748992noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1002113089297135210.post-38369348635705168492017-06-10T16:06:33.619-05:002017-06-10T16:06:33.619-05:00You started this writing thing because it was FUN,...You started this writing thing because it was FUN, right? Keep it in the fun category and don't make yourself feel like it's an obligation - because it's not. If you're not feelin' it, don't feel guilty about stepping away for as long as you need to. When it's time for you to return, nothing will stop you. <br /><br />Also, when that new idea grips you and has you typing furiously, do NOT let yourself get distracted or discouraged about what happens w/ the story once it's finished. That's all stuff you can worry about later. When the inspirations strikes, let yourself write for writing's sake, not because you feel like you HAVE to finish and then you HAVE to submit it to a gajillion and one agents. You don't HAVE to do any of that. Lose yourself in the writing process like you did with Amber and the Gardener. The rest can be dealt with - or not - after you've finished.<br /><br />Honestly, I need to take that advice myself. I think part of what's sticking me in this writing rut is that I don't want to have another finished piece that I then feel obligated to market. I'm going to try to block all that out and rediscover what got me addicted to this writing thing in the first place.Nicki Elsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11412032684225126973noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1002113089297135210.post-73800286292199121372017-06-10T01:23:22.770-05:002017-06-10T01:23:22.770-05:00I love shopping for a new home. I like looking at ...I love shopping for a new home. I like looking at all the ads, attending open houses, dreaming of how my stuff will look. I love every aspect of new home buying - except moving. Ugh. Before I purchased this house, I whittled my stuff down to bare basics for moving. Well, I still have my throw-away parties. I have a hard time holding on to things.<br /><br />Except my writing. Can't seem to ever throw away anything. I hope you don't just throw away the project you and Melissa were working on. I was so sad to see your post of her passing. And sadder still for your loss. She was such a funny, creative personality. A great loss to the world. Hopefully you will find a way to keep your shared project alive once you have grieved.<br /><br />Life is just so precious.<br /><br />BG is such an awesome project. I am sure it will find an agent. It has had far too much attention to just languish in a drawer. Remember how many rejections JK Rowling had, and look what a franchise HP has become.<br /><br />Chin up Dude. And don't worry about "quitting" for a while. Sometimes it is necessary to let go so your characters can re-invent their stories.<br /><br />I miss you. Be well, and good luck in your writing and home hunting endeavors.dolorahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08715849844092553699noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1002113089297135210.post-16867662425165929702017-06-09T20:46:22.827-05:002017-06-09T20:46:22.827-05:00Big hugs, Michael! Melissa's passing was devas...Big hugs, Michael! Melissa's passing was devastating. I'm so sorry for your loss of your dear friend.<br /><br />Things WILL happen for you, my friend. They will. Take some time to breathe and grieve and live and just be. Take good care of yourself!Jemi Fraserhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02214408467456320167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1002113089297135210.post-71612730099992002392017-06-09T15:43:20.763-05:002017-06-09T15:43:20.763-05:00I knew you were upset about Melissa and was so sor...I knew you were upset about Melissa and was so sorry for your grief at her passing. Pity you didn't get to see her before she went. I also offer my sympathies about the rejections. Pretty depressing time you have been having but I am sure you will snap out of it. You seem to be a generally upbeat person. Looking for a new home? Thought you were moving to Florida permanently?Johttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14087140585742801854noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1002113089297135210.post-22613308668107597462017-06-09T13:14:01.827-05:002017-06-09T13:14:01.827-05:00It's always easy to tell someone else to suck ...It's always easy to tell someone else to suck it up, but a lot harder to do it yourself. I'm sorry for what you've gone through, but the writing bug will come back eventually. Until then, stay healthy in mind and body.Chemist Kenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09738272332470397248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1002113089297135210.post-65653329710097320152017-06-09T11:49:20.687-05:002017-06-09T11:49:20.687-05:00I'm so sorry to read that you're having su...I'm so sorry to read that you're having such a tough time. I haven't lost anyone dear to me (thank goodness), but I've also gone through a few months of "is anything worth the effort anymore?" and as a result, I wrote a blog/vlog (you can pick which you prefer) post about what I'd learned. Maybe it would be of value to you? If only to see you're really not the only one. <br /><br />Anyhow. I wish you all the best. You're an amazing person and you deserve all the success you can get. Misha Gerrickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06364173848456424521noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1002113089297135210.post-12304547791695015822017-06-08T14:25:52.660-05:002017-06-08T14:25:52.660-05:00Hi, Michael!
I'm glad you too are finding ...Hi, Michael! <br /> I'm glad you too are finding a way to come back. Soon, you'll find your muse again! I've no doubt!Yolanda Renéehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09085436784133103221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1002113089297135210.post-81102208588981578262017-06-08T14:25:21.296-05:002017-06-08T14:25:21.296-05:00Aw, Michael, my heart goes out to you with so many...Aw, Michael, my heart goes out to you with so many heartaches happening at once. I can see where writing during this time of sadness and adjustment would need to take a back seat. Sometimes that happens, and it's not necessarily quitting but rather an adjustment of priorities and attitudes necessary to cope with daily life. I hope things settle back down for you very soon. Sending love and hugs!Karen Jones Gowenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11378428503220197256noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1002113089297135210.post-71783811858545360062017-06-08T13:27:49.336-05:002017-06-08T13:27:49.336-05:00My deepest condolences. Life plays hard tricks som...My deepest condolences. Life plays hard tricks sometimes that makes everything else seem trivial and unimportant. But we keep going, our loved ones at peace even if we aren't. I love what you think your friend would say to you. Take it to heart, remember and honour her. C.D. Gallant-Kinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01080400727631587101noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1002113089297135210.post-22525086677011562142017-06-08T12:27:55.870-05:002017-06-08T12:27:55.870-05:00Give yourself permission to grieve. That's the...Give yourself permission to grieve. That's the advice a hospice counselor told me after I lost my mom, my MIL, and her sister (my 3 "Moms") within 18 months. I plodded through my life, did what I had to do, and didn't write. Her advice helped me so much. Eventually, I got back to writing but not for publication. I wrote to find the joy I used to have. I wrote for fun. <br /><br />Your grief for your friend and for another rejection is real. What if you poured your feelings for the losses onto paper or screen? Don't think about publication. Vent all those emotions rolling around inside you. Hugs and deepest sympathy.Diane Burtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03754105332297068271noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1002113089297135210.post-63503007505328261702017-06-08T11:44:05.454-05:002017-06-08T11:44:05.454-05:00Hi Michael - you have been going through the ups a...Hi Michael - you have been going through the ups and downs of life ... I'm glad you've got clients - which at least takes your mind off things and you've got Hamlet giving you that extra zing.<br /><br />I really felt for you re Melissa and I'm so sorry you didn't quite make it in time ... desperate to lose a loving friend. May she be at peace.<br /><br />Your rejection after all those submissions and time - is just not what you needed right now ... but I guess a writer's life is what it is - and I'm sure you will be back writing at some stage.<br /><br />We can't give up our dreams just because someone else doesn't like our work ... and I know you won't - you're way too talented to step away from being creative and writing - where your words flow.<br /><br />Sometimes a break is needed - a quiet time ... where you can realise it's not the end of the world and you will rise again. Perhaps self-publish ... if that's an option ... or write some shorter pieces for publication another way ... <br /><br />Take care and with thoughts for an easy time til life feels right again - enjoy Hamlet ... cheers Hilary<br /><br />Hilary Melton-Butcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1002113089297135210.post-46112541716224547602017-06-08T06:59:49.439-05:002017-06-08T06:59:49.439-05:00It isn't that I haven't thought of quittin...It isn't that I haven't thought of quitting. But I just can't not write.<br /><br />I'm sorry about the rejection :(mshatchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06308916014310536449noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1002113089297135210.post-25970094879116692382017-06-08T06:47:32.904-05:002017-06-08T06:47:32.904-05:00Sorry you had such a hard month last month. Grief ...Sorry you had such a hard month last month. Grief can make everything look worse, and unfortunately you just have to go through the process. So disappointing about the rejection, but don't give up. Some published authors queried 100+ agents before getting an agent. You will too if you want it.Natalie Aguirrehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03756087804171246660noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1002113089297135210.post-88062845932373370082017-06-08T06:34:47.341-05:002017-06-08T06:34:47.341-05:00have you been to the funeral? Did you hear anythin...have you been to the funeral? Did you hear anything from her family, how are they? DEZMONDhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14127166104359407763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1002113089297135210.post-66873131423212333662017-06-08T05:07:07.000-05:002017-06-08T05:07:07.000-05:00Michael, no wonder you've been depressed. Losi...Michael, no wonder you've been depressed. Losing a friend is really hard. Each time I hear people talking about Wonder Woman, I think of Melissa now. Then the writing is connected to her too. I've been at this a long time, and I've had a lot of almosts. Sometimes a rejection really takes the breath out of me. The only advice I can offer is to write something new. Maybe work on what you and Melissa were going to collaborate on--another way to keep her spirit alive. I keep writing because I can't not write. I tell myself it's the journey. Take care. xoTheresa Milsteinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03477761307315565259noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1002113089297135210.post-76174986410256996502017-06-08T04:58:20.523-05:002017-06-08T04:58:20.523-05:00Michael, no wonder you've been depressed. Losi...Michael, no wonder you've been depressed. Losing a friend is really hard. Each time I hear people talking about Wonder Woman, I think of Melissa now. Then the writing is connected to her too. I've been at this a long time, and I've had a lot of almosts. Sometimes a rejection really takes the breath out of me. The only advice I can offer is to write something new. Maybe work on what you and Melissa were going to collaborate on--another way to keep her spirit alive. I keep writing because I can't not write. I tell myself it's the journey. Take care. xoTheresa Milsteinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14934997366933566842noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1002113089297135210.post-19307271486458312702017-06-08T02:41:13.829-05:002017-06-08T02:41:13.829-05:00Hi Michael - I know I commented ... it must be in ...Hi Michael - I know I commented ... it must be in spam - well I hope so ... my brain hasn't gone in that direction yet. I'll be back later on to comment properly ... cheers for now HilaryHilary Melton-Butcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1002113089297135210.post-34474431662149737992017-06-07T21:57:40.349-05:002017-06-07T21:57:40.349-05:00Love you, too. Thanks Denise...I really appreciate...Love you, too. Thanks Denise...I really appreciate your kind words.Michael Di Gesuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17047267262428143113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1002113089297135210.post-84057697334456551742017-06-07T21:56:40.126-05:002017-06-07T21:56:40.126-05:00If anyone can.... she will. She must be zipping ar...If anyone can.... she will. She must be zipping around the world at the moment. Not feeling her presence yet. But I know I will.... Thanks Dez!Michael Di Gesuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17047267262428143113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1002113089297135210.post-19185716195275297292017-06-07T21:55:41.557-05:002017-06-07T21:55:41.557-05:00Thanks Sara...Thanks Sara...Michael Di Gesuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17047267262428143113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1002113089297135210.post-37223101121245850002017-06-07T21:55:25.205-05:002017-06-07T21:55:25.205-05:00Failure is not an option for me either, Janie.... ...Failure is not an option for me either, Janie.... I will get going again. Thanks.Michael Di Gesuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17047267262428143113noreply@blogger.com