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Inclinations

Priscilla Fagan

Perseverance

"The marvelous richness of human experience would lose something of rewarding joy if there were not limitations to overcome. The hilltop hour would not be half so wonderful if there were no dark valleys to traverse." So wrote Helen Keller, a study herself of perseverance.

So what makes us give up so easily? We receive one or even two or more rejection letters and wham! that’s it. I’m done. *Twenty-one publishers rejected Richard Hooker’s novel, M*A*S*H.

*Louis L’Amour, received 350 rejections before he made his first sale.

* British writer, John Creasy collected 774 rejections and 27 publishers rejected Dr. Seuss’ first book. You say you received your first rejection today? Well, congratulations! You are in esteemed company. That is dedication. Cecil B. DeMille said it well.

"The person who makes a success of living is the one who sees his goal steadily and aims for it unswervingly. That is dedication." Cecil B DeMille said it well.

Oh I know we continually fight with our own Censor. It's tiresome and frustrating. Do we have the ability as some of our peers to be rejected 700 times and continue to aim for our goal? Yes!

*John Grisham's first novel was turned down by fifteen publishers and thirty agents.

*Jack London acquired 600 rejections before selling his first novel. Collect those rejections and pat yourself on the back and continue unswervingly.

*Chicken Soup for the Soul was turned down 133 times. Their encouraging book for writers . . . Chicken Soup for the Writer's Soul has spawned this month's column as I slip my query letters into the mailbox slot. How will I feel when I collect my 600th rejection? I'm sure quite dejected, but I won't quit.

Laurence Sterne pointed out "'Tis known by the name of perseverance in a good cause - and of obstinacy in a bad one." Well, what is in a word? Am I being obstinate? You bet I am and for good cause. I am a writer and one day someone is going to say yes, you are a writer and yes, you will be published.

We all have heard of Newt Gingrich or at least Americans have, I quote, "Perseverance is the hard work you do after you get tired of doing the hard work you already did." Think about it!

More encouragement to get out there and peddle your manuscripts? *Leo Tolstoy flunked out of college. *Rudyard Kipling was told he didn't know how to use the English language. *Louisa May Alcott's family told her to find work as a servant. *Alex Haley received a rejection letter once a week for four years.

Feeling encouraged now? Oh, I do hope so. Keep in mind, with perseverance comes patience and we all know patience is a virtue. I'll leave you with this thought from George Humphrey, Time 1953. "You can't set a hen in one morning and have chicken salad for lunch."

Good luck and don't give up.

Til next month I remain,
Priscilla, the eternal, yet obstinate, optimist

*Rejection slip information taken from Chicken Soup for the Writer's Soul