Marbled Motivation for Writers

A series of emails back and forth between Marbles old and new resulted in a compilation of our thoughts. Here they are, and we hope something here will help you through those days all writers have!

From PJ:

In an effort to build up credentials, I've been entering contests. I know, it sounds like buying lottery tickets to bolster my wallet. But you don't have to write cover letters to enter contests, which makes them seem easy.
Also paid for a critique from Abigail Samoun of Tricycle Press on my crayon story. Most of her comments were about the market, and how pubs want post-modern, self-aware books like "This Is Not a Book," and that personified inanimate objects dealing with social issues was popular 10 years ago. It was an interesting insight into what editors think about.

From Carol:

I have a small garret that is my office. It is about 8' square with windows on 3 walls, an overlook on another wall and an open doorway. A bookcase covers 1/2 of a wall. There is very limited wall space. On the 3 walls surrounding my desk I have framed my 3 published book covers. But I have said OUT LOUD <jokingly>, "I can't sell any more books until we move because I have no more walls to hang my book covers." And after I said that last year, <coincidently> I have not sold any books because I haven't sent any out.

Last week as I was dropping off to sleep, my eyeballs flew open and I realized my self-defeating statement, even though it was made in jest. The next morning, I sat down and created book covers for my middle grade novel and 5 of my best, most ready PBs. I printed out the title and "by Carol Peterson" in bold letters and even downloaded some nifty illustrations to paste on top of some and used clever kid-like stationery for others. Then I matted and framed them in frames identical to the ones I used for my published books and hung them on a wall space surrounding my overlook, even though it's an odd space for them.

This will do several things:

1. It will remind me that these books are good and they are ready to be loved by kids and editors and that I am not being prideful but am being GENEROUS by wanting to share them with the world;

2. It has changed my mindset away from feeling limited. Thus I will be more inclined to send things out;

3. It will be a constant visual reminder - I can't sell the books if they're not being submitted and I won't submit them if I forget they're there; and IWILL forget them if the only place they reside is inside my computer file.

From Carol to Laurie (and words Deb has applied to her ownself)

Practically the entire world wishes they were writers. It's everyone's secret dream. But few have the know-how or the courage to try. But you have. You sit down and do it. And you do it well! Publication is important because it is confirming; but it's not solely why we write. In fact many times I think that the main reason I'm in the writing community may not be first and foremost to be published. Rather, like now, sometimes I really believe I'm in the writing community to help other people.

You have something to offer a classroom of kids!  Instead, think how you could motivate and inspire the next generation of writers. Maybe one of the kids in those classrooms will write something and change the world for the better. As a writer; as a mother; as a citizen of planet Earth, we have an obligation to encourage others; especially kids.

From Angela
 
Here's something I do to prepare for rejection:

1. I send out the mss to more than one agent / editor

2. I make a 'back-up list' of agents / editors ... so that when all the others come back rejected I have something to go by. Sometimes I even pre-write the cover letters and address the envelopes so all I have to do is put the date on, print and mail.
 
 
Here are some things I do to stay motivated:

1. I have a quote from a kid about reading books on serious subjects stuck to my monitor ... it begins "Books can give me hope...."
2. I have my award and some writing notes on the wall
3. I have two prints on my walls - in one a librarian has climbed a rickety ladder and he has books between his legs, one in his hand, one tucked under his arm and in his other hand he has an open book in front of his face... reading... like nothing else matters. In the other a monk is sitting at a table... big thick books all around him and a small red book with gold trim open in his hands (I imagine it's a fairytale) He has the greatest expression on his face 'a bemused almost smile'
 
So when I'm stuck... and esp. when I'm revising... I look at those two old guys and tell myself "Write something that will keep him on that ladder not wanting to come down until he reaches the end." OR 'Write something that will amuse him; make him forget his studies and get lost in your world"

From Deb:

-being in a group that you can talk with about your ups and downs, staying in touch with the writing community, reading blogs—it reminds me of why I write, the joy through the ups and downs, we all have them
-when I’m getting down about my novels, hitting those low points where I think I can’t get it done, I read the books of others—I find it fires me up, I want to write like too
-working through the rejections-very similar to Angela’s, I have the next submission ready to go, and always with a back up plan. But sometimes I just have to wait it out. I’ve, over the years, learned the lack of motivation because of rejection does pass—so sometimes I just have to wait it out. I’ll even reread crits and the good things said about my writing to remind myself that I am writer, and a not too bad one at that.