A Writer's Notebook, Day Two-Hundred-And-Ninety-Two
I am glad to report that I am back in the swing of things today. I spent a long time this evening working on preparing the manuscript for my chapbook before I send it out, as well as writing three new, and I think promising, poems. I still, of course, feel a bit frustrated, and the sting of rejection remains, but I am not going to be daunted by that.
Part of what makes it upsetting, honestly, is the feeling of not being in control, and of not knowing what I can or should do to alter the outcome. The only path forward is the same path I am on, as I said yesterday, and I don't have any idea how to ease the journey. All I can do is keep writing and sending out, with a belief that things will take a positive turn at some point. Their is no proactive solution to the problem.
Some would tell me to try self-publishing, but that is not really a path forwards for me. I recognize that others find it rewarding, but I am not interested in just having a book, but in being part of a larger conversation, and, at this point, self-published books are not recognized by the critical and academic communities. That is not to disdain those who self-publish, it is just a statement about the way things are right now. I firmly believe it will change, eventually, but I don't feel that path is right for me, as it stands now. I may be wrong, but I cannot think of many self-published books that have garnered major critical reception, and I know that most such books are not even considered for major literary awards. That is to say, they are often, sadly, dismissed by the literary world.
As well, I have little desire to do all the extra jobs that self-publishing entails for a writer who wants to succeed on their own. I don't wish to be responsible for marketing and distribution, or for selling the book directly to readers without any external support. Those tasks are not really things I would feel comfortable with, and I doubt I would be any good at them, if I am honest. As well, I tend to think that most of my work would not do very well without some sort of support to get it in the right hands. I mean, my fiction is fairly unconventional and does not fit into any major commercial genre. If I were writing thrillers or science fiction/fantasy, I might feel differently, but I am not. So, although I believe that an audience exists for my work, I think it is one that would not find it were I to self publish.
That, of course, leaves me with no option but to keep pressing forwards through the rejections, attempting to get my work in front of those who will appreciate it. I've been lucky to have a great deal of support from some very wonderful people, both other writers and publishing professionals, and I feel very fortunate, really, to know that those people believe in the quality of my work, even if they ultimately reject it. I trust their opinions, as people who see a great deal of work, and believe them when they tell me that what I am doing is valid and worthwhile. So, although it is difficult and sometimes frustrating, I keep going, attempting to focus on doing the work each day, with the belief that the day will come when things begin to turn and I start to see the results I am hoping for each time I submit my work, once more.
Part of what makes it upsetting, honestly, is the feeling of not being in control, and of not knowing what I can or should do to alter the outcome. The only path forward is the same path I am on, as I said yesterday, and I don't have any idea how to ease the journey. All I can do is keep writing and sending out, with a belief that things will take a positive turn at some point. Their is no proactive solution to the problem.
Some would tell me to try self-publishing, but that is not really a path forwards for me. I recognize that others find it rewarding, but I am not interested in just having a book, but in being part of a larger conversation, and, at this point, self-published books are not recognized by the critical and academic communities. That is not to disdain those who self-publish, it is just a statement about the way things are right now. I firmly believe it will change, eventually, but I don't feel that path is right for me, as it stands now. I may be wrong, but I cannot think of many self-published books that have garnered major critical reception, and I know that most such books are not even considered for major literary awards. That is to say, they are often, sadly, dismissed by the literary world.
As well, I have little desire to do all the extra jobs that self-publishing entails for a writer who wants to succeed on their own. I don't wish to be responsible for marketing and distribution, or for selling the book directly to readers without any external support. Those tasks are not really things I would feel comfortable with, and I doubt I would be any good at them, if I am honest. As well, I tend to think that most of my work would not do very well without some sort of support to get it in the right hands. I mean, my fiction is fairly unconventional and does not fit into any major commercial genre. If I were writing thrillers or science fiction/fantasy, I might feel differently, but I am not. So, although I believe that an audience exists for my work, I think it is one that would not find it were I to self publish.
That, of course, leaves me with no option but to keep pressing forwards through the rejections, attempting to get my work in front of those who will appreciate it. I've been lucky to have a great deal of support from some very wonderful people, both other writers and publishing professionals, and I feel very fortunate, really, to know that those people believe in the quality of my work, even if they ultimately reject it. I trust their opinions, as people who see a great deal of work, and believe them when they tell me that what I am doing is valid and worthwhile. So, although it is difficult and sometimes frustrating, I keep going, attempting to focus on doing the work each day, with the belief that the day will come when things begin to turn and I start to see the results I am hoping for each time I submit my work, once more.
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