Sunday, November 8, 2009

Thanks, but no thanks! - Dealing with rejection.

So my main hobby (wish it was my career) is writing. I wrote and self-published a novel and it did okay. The main reason it was self-published is because of the 30 query letters/e-mails I sent out to agents none came back wanting to represent me. Of those that did respond it was usually a form letter the gist of which said Thanks, but no thanks.
Years ago my wife gave me an article that talked about how tough it was to get published, but not to fret Grisham's first novel "A Time to Kill" was rejected by 30 agents before it was picked up (I still have that article).
Once again I'm trying to find an agent for my latest novel and once again I have received a few rejections. And just like last time I'm keeping them all.
Instead of getting down it just fuels me more. One day it will be my name in an article and my book that too many agents passed over. And I'll have all the rejections letters/e-mails and the last laugh.
The best way to deal with rejection is not to let it beat you down. You need to use it as fuel to say "Okay, if that's what you think I'll show you." Then you go out and get better and stronger and they'll be the ones with the second thoughts.

Shutterbug Junkie?

Well if you haven't noticed from my earlier posts I kinda like taking pictures. The wife says I'm addicted (just like I'm addicted to all of my hobbies). so for this post I've decided to post random shots I've taken over the last couple of months. I hope you can see the beauty that I see...















Monday, November 2, 2009

"I Will Kill You!"

Most people will never have those words directed at them in the manner in which harm is intended. But day in and day out that and worse is spewed towards Corrections Officers; in a lot of cases multiple times a day.

Imagine willingly locking yourself inside a building furnished with concrete and steel surrounded by deviants whom sit around all day plotting their next crime, which could include smashing your skull in or driving a pencil, spoon, or a piece of scrap metal into your spleen. And when you’re not the subject of their threats your spouse and children are; the threat of someone killing you quickly becomes welcome.

For the general public the closest thing I can imagine is driving down the highway while all the other drivers suffer from road rage. Now make that drive for 12 hours.

Well, at least we get paid.