Comments on: The Great British Write-off!

By: Sam Tonge

Sam Tonge — Tue, 21 Mar 2017 11:08:11 +0000

In reply to Caroline A. Slee. Lol, yes I agree Caroline - writing and cake, what better things to think about?!

By: Sam Tonge

Sam Tonge — Tue, 21 Mar 2017 11:07:44 +0000

In reply to Francesca Burgess. Yes, it's very sad, Francesca, there's probably lots of great writers out there who gave up because they never thought they'd succeed. You just need to keep on trucking :) Gosh, yes, my first short stories were dreadful too!

By: Caroline A. Slee

Caroline A. Slee — Mon, 20 Mar 2017 23:58:42 +0000

Thank you for sharing this. It’s always good to be reminded that failures are just bringing us that much closer to successes.
It’s also always good to think about cake, in my opinion. 😉

By: Francesca Burgess

Francesca Burgess — Mon, 20 Mar 2017 20:47:49 +0000

So very true, Sam. I not only look at my first novel and think, ‘oh dear,’ but at some of the first short stories I sent off. It’s a wonder they didn’t ban me from ever sending again! It’s a learning curve and we all need to do our apprenticeship. I’ve met people at writing class who’ve been distraught at having their first, hardly edited, manuscripts rejected and I always think they won’t last long in this game. Sure enough, they drift away, disheartened.

By: Sam Tonge

Sam Tonge — Mon, 20 Mar 2017 15:56:39 +0000

In reply to Rae. Thanks Rae :) Pinch away! x

By: Rae

Rae — Mon, 20 Mar 2017 15:47:31 +0000

Brilliant post, Sam. Think I might just pinch this line… ‘Rejections … are simply the industry’s way of telling you there is more to learn.’

By: Sam Tonge

Sam Tonge — Mon, 20 Mar 2017 14:07:07 +0000

In reply to Victoria Hanlen. Aw, thanks for popping by, Victoria :)

By: Victoria Hanlen

Victoria Hanlen — Mon, 20 Mar 2017 13:42:07 +0000

Great post, as usual! :) And very uplifting for a Monday morning. Thanks for the pep talk.

By: Sam Tonge

Sam Tonge — Mon, 20 Mar 2017 13:38:08 +0000

In reply to Phillipa. Yes, you have to follow your heart and have belief in your ideas - but if agents and publishers are both saying the same thing (which was the case for me) then I think it is naive not to take note. So glad you are in a happier place now!

By: Phillipa

Phillipa — Mon, 20 Mar 2017 13:17:55 +0000

And of course, it is always worth bearing in mind that editors can – quite often -be *wrong!* And that stories come back into fashion – but editors can be wrong, quite often. Sometimes, some of them are actually wrong about your book – others may then be right and publish it to great success. This does not apply now, I hasten to add – I’m saying that in a time and place where I have the best editors I’ve ever had. But from experience, and not just my own, sometimes you have to go with your vision.