"It's not you, it's me."

Rejection letters from magazines and writing contests can feel like bad break-ups. Vague phrases like "Your story wasn't for us" or "We couldn't find room in our pages for your work" are the absolute worst kind of constructive criticism. The response is formulaic and artless. The editors that only have time to dash off a quick letter of refusal need to re-evaluate the process of creativity and writing.

Any writer who is serious about his work wants editors to tear the story apart. Real comments that reference style, structure, genre, and dialogue are what a writer needs to improve. Scathing criticism fuels passionate revising and the honing of skill. Straight forward reactions to our stories is the most all of us writer's hope for. We want to know the gory details of why the piece of writing fell flat on its face.

Not every magazine and contest will accept everything that lands in the mail. And, they shouldn't. The market needs to thrive on quality writing and well-crafted stories. Some of my work meets the grade, and some does not. But, when I receive rejection letters, I feel cheated if it's an obvious form letter response to my hard work.

Over the years, I have kept every rejection letter I have ever received. Most of the letters are anonymous and disconnected from the real struggles of being a creative writer. But, the select few that directly reference my work, are great inspirations. I reread them on occasion, and once again become recharged and ready to write. The comments may be blunt or even downright harsh, but the editor cared enough to pen an original response.

Keep every rejection letter and frame the ones that are truly inspirational.

Because in the end, it's you, and not them, who has to persevere as a writer.

Short and Sweet

On the cover of a writing magazine, I saw the most inspirational quote from Mickey Finnley. She said,"I am a writer, it is my job not to look away."

Fiction or non-fiction, art is inspired by life. Real life with all its bumps, bruises, pimples, bad hair-dos, and dirty looks. Real life with its awkward conversations, stifling moments of embarrassment, stinging insults, and ugly behaviors. Life is rife with material too good to not be true.

I am further inspired to fuel my literary fire with more people watching, eavesdropping on intense conversations, and studies in mundane absurdity.

You should all do the same. Take notes and keep writing!

Eight Year-Old Storytellers in a Grown-Up Writing World

Eight year-olds are the finest storytellers I know. They don't leave out details. They tell you everything, whether it takes five minutes or twenty minutes to finish their tale. Children gesture and mix up words and talk a million miles a minute. Younger kids only want to hear stories for their own entertainment, but eight year-olds have mastered enough language to want to emerge as their own traveling bards.

Eight year-olds tell the story just like it was. The dialogue rambles and the characters often have no goal or objective. The plot is hard to follow, but there is no doubt that the flight of imaginary fancy was worth the trip, defined story structure or not. Children's stories deal with simple subjects that everyone can relate to. There are no over-arching themes to be analyzed. The stories are told for the joy of telling them just to share. But, of course even eight year-olds have to grow up.

Most adults are too organized, too in control of their own emotions,judgments, and imaginations to write anything real and compelling. It takes a unique grown-up to really see the world just as it is. No prejudices or wounded egos. No bad experiences or bitter assumptions. It then takes this unique adult time to mix all the hard knock experiences of life into the story with maturity and nuance. It takes a great writer to remember how to be an eight year-old all over again.

After the story is written, the real hard work begins for the grown-up part of the writer though. Submitting creative writing is all about rejection. Skinned knee after skinned knee. Years go by and you don't get picked for the kickball team on the playground. The half-finished manuscripts laugh at you like the big fourth graders. And, other accomplished writers seem to always be passing secret notes behind your back about how to get published.

But don't forget, new children turn eight every day. And new writers, with a unique voice and style, are always being discovered.

Reading Good Books Makes You a Great Writer

My collection of paperbacks and hard bound books overwhelms my house. I have a huge bookshelf, piled two deep, and there still is an overflow of pile in a nearby chair. The books are organized more by whim than by topic, and there is very little rhyme or reason to where to locate any one book. I like that it takes me a few minutes to track down a specific title because I inevitably get to remind myself of all the good books I own.

Ah, The Grapes of Wrath. Oh, I forgot about all those Russian plays. It's been ages since I've opened that book of dark and angry poetry. And look, a stack of contemporary fiction novels waiting for me to open them.

Finding a book is like walking down my very own literary memory lane. Every title is important to me. Every book has a direct connection to my life as a storyteller.

As a creative writer, reading is essential. Not only does reading allow my brain to rest from creating, but it also helps me recognize my strengths and weaknesses. Great dialogue always inspires me to make my characters more real in the cadence of their speech. Tightly plotted sections of a novel remind me to keep my stories on track. And, unforgettable characters encourage me to let my imagination run wild.

Without reading, my writing would suffer terribly. I have found it foolish to pretend that I am the only person in the world who has ever put pen to paper. Instead, I voraciously absorb the written word from many sources. Clever phrases get my lyrical mind rolling. Satisfying endings draw me back to the outlines of my own stories. Well-written works encourage me to keep up the reputation of my craft and fellow writers.

Without books to read, I would not be a writer. Because I am a writer, I love to read. It is circular process of course. But, it is necessary, organic process for all of us who are inspired to create new worlds, characters, and stories.

And, if you ever want to borrow a book, just come on over. Good luck finding it!