Inspirational Writing

Lesson 1: Never Fear, Inspiration's Here!

The Rejection Section

There is a true story from the book Chicken Soup for the Writer's Soul regarding a young woman whose college professor dissuades her from writing. He tells her her writing is terrible, and he can't understand how she was accepted into the school. He says he'll "help" her pass the class IF she promises never to write again. She agrees then doesn't write for fourteen years, although writing has always been her dream.

One day the woman tells a journalist the story about her professor's rejection of her desire to write. The journalist is shocked she gave up writing so easily. He even encourages her to send her work to him should she decide to write again. She does. He adores what she wrote. As a result, she submits her work to an agent who accepts her talent immediately.

"I will never give up my dreams again. Never," the woman resolves.

The writer is Catherine Lanigan, author of bestselling works like Romancing the Stone and Dangerous Love, both which became hit Hollywood films -- and these examples are just a couple out of the plethora of megahits created by the author.

As a writer who has submitted over one hundred article queries, column proposals and stories that were scoffed at, I am an expert of rejection. But I have learned enough about negativity to know it is subjective.

For instance, the other day I received a reply for a poem I'd submitted to an online publisher. The reply went something as follows: "Strangling syntax to achieve end rhyme is grossly outdated."

My advice is to regard such opinionated comments as semi-constructive. By semi-constructive I mean: determine what educational value they provide. Can you research the rejection's ideas then produce a modern article? Is the editor who made the comment respected in their industry? In my situation, the editor represented a small, quality publisher who produced literary works and poetry. I learned this: once the bruised soul heals, it learns!

PUT REJECTION INTO PERSPECTIVE:

If that same poem hadn't previously been awarded Dana Literary Society's Certificate of Excellence, my spirits would have sunk truly low. That it did do well elsewhere served to show the rejecting attitude IS subjective. Other professionals felt the opposite toward that poem -- so what might be learned from the rejection?

PAY ATTENTION TO CONSTRUCTIVE ADVICE:

Should the rejecting editor have said, "Classical-styled poetry has less of a market nowadays than free verse. If you'd like to submit a free-styled poem, I'd be happy to reconsider" -- I would have felt encouraged to learn about free style poetry and why it is more popular today than classical styles. Using your rejections as new experiences to learn and write from will prime you for more constructive suggestions.

For instance, I once had a college professor who taught a course on Samuel Johnson, an author he seemed to worship.

He began each lesson by entering the room and announcing, "Good evening, my students."

He was a man who adored coaching students on life aspects through all he'd learned of Johnson.

While I didn't find Johnson to be all that fascinating, my opinion of my professor was quite opposite. His enthusiasm was contagious and I looked forward to each late-night class when he would give us his brand of constructive inspiration.

Nearing finals, he told us he understood we were going through the pressure of studying -- and of fearing failure.

"I will not let any of you fail this course," he said.

He also said he knew many of us were feeling depressed and that this was normal.

"It is a proven fact people who think a lot are inclined toward depression. As students, your minds are constantly turning, making you prone to experience all kinds of emotion, including depression. The cure is also proven. It is being with people."

He continued: "I know life seems hard right now but you have my word you will succeed in this course. And, there is something you can do to combat fear any time it hits: ask God that what is happening to you is happening for a reason."

I'm no church-goer. Still, each time I've felt truly fearful since that advice, I've looked upward saying, "I ask that what is happening to me is happening for a reason." And, an answer has always come without fail!

While I remember what my teacher looked like (ruddy complexion, serious eyes, man in late-forties), I can't for the life of me remember his name. I want to say it was along the lines of "Goodman."

Whatever the name, each of us took a moment after finals to thank the good man for his many wise words.

When it was my turn, I looked him square in the face and said, "Thank you SO much for your guidance."

I wanted to say more, to indicate he had touched my soul deeply. Then something strange happened. My teacher's response was a TERSE "thank you." Had I said something wrong?

As it turns out, I had been so busy preparing my first one-on-one with my new hero, I'd not noticed him behaving the same way with all other students. It wasn't until I was backing out of his classroom to get a last look at him that I discovered he was giving every student that brief note of thanks.

Which is when the realization came: this man had devoted a full semester's worth of lending us his most precious advice.

In addition to educating us, he'd taken care of our spiritual need. Our thanks WERE appreciated, but not necessary.

As I watched my mentor silently incorporate each student's thanks, it became clear he felt his station in life, to make a difference in ours, had been fulfilled. THAT was all he opted to speak for!

Like my professor, you have a gift: to speak for what you believe in through writing. You have a gift to share your compassion and integrity, two strong sources of inspiration.

And, as someone inspired, you too will find a grateful audience.

EXERCISE:

Think of a recent rejection, however small it might have been. Find a quiet moment, even if the only moment available is while sitting on the porcelain goddess. Turn your face upward and ask, "Why did it happen?" A sense of an answer to your question should come.

Now ask, "What can be learned?"

Write your answers then follow the advice.

Write what happened as a result. You are encouraged to share your writing in Discussions.

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