March 11, 2008

By Vonda Skelton

Posted in: Ramblings | Writing Instruction | Kudos

Have You Failed...to Write?

March 11, 2008

In 1993, long before I ever tried to write for publication, I attended a writing seminar. I had never traveled alone out into the big, bad world, so I was scared to death. I made my reservation, packed my suitcase, and drove two hours away. This was my big chance.

When I arrived, I checked into the hotel (my first time to ever be alone anywhere), and dressed for the evening. The first thing on the schedule was dinner for the attendees and the two faculty members. Oh, how I wanted to make a good impression! After all, this was a meeting of writers! I was sure every person there was brilliant and wise and multi-published...and here I was, a little wife and mother who was thinking that maybe, just perhaps, she might try to write something.

So I squared my shoulders, held up my head, and strolled into the meeting room like I was one of them. Twenty or thirty people were already there, some seated at dining tables, others standing around talking. I found a table nearby and grabbed a chair. Someone quickly started introductions, and I nodded and shook hands around the table.

The last person to speak was a gentleman seated to my right. He put out his hand, smiled and said, "Welcome. I'm Gary Provost. I'm the director of this seminar." Director? I'm sitting by the director of the seminar? If there was anything worse than being the only dummy in a room of brilliant writers, it was being the only dummy seated by the director in a room of brilliant writers! I wanted to run out the door, grab my luggage, and head for home.

But I couldn't. The director still had my hand. "Tell me, Vonda, what do you write?"

What does he mean, What do I write? I can write my name. Does my name count? But I didn't say anything. I just stared at him, wide-eyed, trying to figure out what in the world ever made me think I could just walk into a writing seminar and pretend I was supposed to be there.

Being the brilliant writer that he was, he took my verbal cue. "Well, why don't we go around the table and you can think about it." He smiled and let go of my hand. I listened as everyone at the table gave an eloquent discourse of what he or she was writing, wanted to write, or was learning to write.

Me? I just sat there, the gears in my not-so-brilliant mind working in overdrive, trying to come up with something--anything!--that would make me sound like I had some sense. And then the proverbial light bulb went off! I knew just what I could say that would show these brilliant writers that I was one of them. That I, too, could think deep thoughts, raise deep questions, and solve the problems of the world through the power of my words.

Just as the brilliant thought cemented itself into my brain, Gary Provost turned back to me. "So, Vonda, what do you write?"

I cleared my throat. "Um, to be honest, I haven't really written anything yet." So far so good.

"Really? Why not?"

I squared my shoulders, held up my head and said, "Well, I figured as long as I haven't written, I haven't failed." That was a profound statement if I'd ever heard one!

I waited for the applause of the brilliant writers seated at the table. I envisioned them clamoring around me, asking my advice about everything from physics to the meaning of life.

But there was no applause, no clamoring, no questions. Instead, Gary Provost, Director, looked me straight in the eyes and pronounced, "No, Vonda. As long as you haven't written, you've failed already."

Boom! I took it right there between the eyes. I went home and wrote my first book.

Now, if you've been reading my posts or been in any of my classes, you know the book was terrible. After all, I hadn't done anything to prepare for writing it! But the point is, I wrote. I wrote something.

Of course, because I didn't go to writer's conferences or take classes or try to learn the craft of writing, I dashed to publication in a mere...oh, I don't know...seven or eight...years! It took about ten years for that first book to be published.

Lesson #1: If you want to be a writer, you have to write! (I know. That's really profound, isn't it?) Don't worry about rejections. Rejections aren't failures. Refusing to write when God has given you something to say is failure.

There is a Thomas Edison story that makes the rounds of many of internet quote sites. Although I can't find reputable confirmation that he really said it, the truth it reveals is worth repeating.The story goes that the inventor was once asked something like, "Were you discouraged after failing 2000 times to invent the lightbulb?" Thomas Edison supposedly said, "Actually, I didn't fail a single time. I just discovered 2000 ways not to invent the lightbulb."

When we get rejections, we're not failing, we're just discovering ways not to write what we have to say or who not to send it to.

So write. Write a lot. Write everyday, if possible. It's in the act of writing that you become a writer.

Lesson #2: The only way to truly fail is to not write.

And this week we send congratulations to these Christian Writer's Den members who didn't fail...because they wrote! (And I'll betcha they got lots of rejections along the way!)

Be sure to check back next week when we have lots of opportunities to share with you. And who knows, we could soon be announcing YOUR successes! Be sure to email me any time you have any publishing news to share with us. We want to encourage each other by sharing what God is doing in our writing lives!

Don't forget--you could win big by leaving a comment at the Seeing Through the Lies blog tour sites throughout this month. See the sidebar for details.

We've almost reached our goal of getting a copy of Seeing Through the Lies in sttlcover100pxevery state in America. We only have ten states left! If you live in one of the states listed below, or know of someone who does, AND you (or the receiver) are willing to be an influencer for my book, just email me with the name and mailing address and I'll send you a free book! Just remember, this is a partnership. If you're not sure what an influencer is, just check out this blog entry . Here are the states we're still looking for: Connecticut, DC, Maine, Massachusetts, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Dakota, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

I leave you with these words from King Solomon:

Dreaming instead of doing is foolishness, and there is ruin in a flood of empty words. Ecclesiastes 5:7

I pray God's blessing on the work of your hands and your hearts,

Vonda

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9 Comments

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#1 Renae — http://www.renaebrumbaugh.com

This is so true. When I used to teach Jr. High English, I told my students, Just write something! We'll fix it later. But you can't fix a blank page!

Good advice. Thanks!

#2 Elaine Carr

Thanks, Vonda! I enjoyed your story so much. I can't believe you've only been writing since 1993!

What an encouragement you are for me to get busy on the book I started months ago! (But have only picked at, since the publisher tells me the biography must be written like fiction for children. Now I'm having to learn how to write fiction! I've had lots of short non-fiction things published, but fiction requires a whole lot more!

Blessings on your day!
Elaine Carr

#3 Michele Reeves

Dare I say it? You have come a LONG way, baby! :) God is using you in a mighty way.

Much love,
Michele

P.S. I think someone just had a birthday!! Happy Birthday, my sister!

#4 Anonymous

You have no idea how timely this is for me. Even though I do write (four novels, two blogs), I feel like such a failure because I'm still unpublished. I go to conferences and workshops, read books on the craft, submit my work for critique, attend local writer's group meetings, and have submitted a few queries-to those who accept work from unpublished authors-but I continually fail to make an achievement (i.e. sales, recognition.) I'm now questioning the quality of my work.

I woke up this morning with a can't keep doing this attitude and then saw your post in my inbox. Thanks for sharing your experience, and for the reminder that growth, improvement, and publishing all take time. I can't say the discouragement is gone, but even the tiniest bit of water can help douse a flame.

#5 Vonda Skelton

Renae--I LOVE your line, "You can't fix a blank page." May I quote you in my classes???? ;-)

Hi Elaine! You're right about fiction requiring a different set of writing skills, but all of them can be learned. If you can write publishable non-fiction, you can learn the techniques to writing fiction. And in all honesty, writing fiction is lots more FUN! I enjoy writing non-fiction in order to point others to Christ or to help them live healthy lives, but what fun it is to create dialogue and circumstances that entertain, while still getting a point across! After all, we can change "reality" about  that fictional world with a simple stroke of the pen (or with the simple tap of the computer keys!). So, get to a conference and take the fiction track. Don't do like I did and waste years trying to figure it out on your own!

Michele--you remembered by birthday before I did! Thank you! And you know what? You're right--I have come a long way. Those of us who love the Lord and have been washed clean have ALL come a long way!! Praise Him!

And Anonymous, you have no idea how much YOU have encouraged ME this morning! You are exactly the reason this blog, The Christian Writer's Den, was started--to encourage, instruct, and inspire writers, whether published or not. You know, when I was trying so hard to get something--anything!--published, I finally came to the point that I had to totally give it up to the Lord. I knew He had called me to write, that was not the question. So one day I surrendered it all to Him. I told Him I would continue to write and I knew He could use it--whether I was ever published or not. So I shared my unpublished children's mystery with teachers and allowed them to read it to their classes, wrote devotions for our women's meetings, wrote short scripts for my church and shared them with other churches, wrote articles that helped my friends, and wrote poetry for birthdays and special events. I even created a character and dressed up for birthday and retirement parties (one day I'll have to post about "Minnie Blanche!"). I used all of these creative outlets to entertain and encourage others, and I knew I was right smack in the middle of God's will at that  point in my life. Then, within a few years of that commitment, God graciously allowed me to become a published writer. During that unpublished time, I was still going to conferences, taking classes, submitting to critique, and sending out queries. But God had shown me that He could use my writing regardless of publication. And I had to be willing to accept that as a possibility. It wasn't easy, and He taught me so much during that time--and now I'm able to share it with writers and want-to-be writers around the world. What joy! Now, tell the truth, would you have been nearly as encouraged if I had told you that I wrote and was published immediately? Probably not. ;-) Thanks for writing. I hope you'll hang out with us every week!

Blessings, All...

Vonda 

#6 Vanessa Ore

Hey Girl - Thanks for the loving, kick in the pants ;-) I am sitting on several unfinished writing projects and your email gave me some encouragement to keep on keepin' on!

Love in Christ, Van

#7 Vonda Skelton

Hello, Vanessa! So, you needed a kick in the pants, too, huh? Isn't it amazing how we can create such great stuff (such as your "Where Are You, Christmas?" script) and yet, still be fearful of writing the next thing? I think it's because we're afraid there isn't another good thing inside us. But I know God isn't through with you. So just go ahead. Write it.

Love you, friend!

Vonda 

#8 Lynette Eason — http://www.lynetteeason.com

Hey Vonda! I just watched your Solomon youtube video and laughed my head off! Great job, lady. And Lauryn is begging for the next Bitsy story so be sure to let me know when I get her a copy. See you at Ridgecrest, if not before.

Oh, and I'm not getting your emails anymore. Could you sign me back up?

Thanks,
Lynette

#9 Vonda Skelton

Hi Lynette! Thank you for your kind words. I'm glad she made you laugh! Believe it or not, I don't have an exact release date yet, but the next Bitsy is supposed to be out in April. It's Bitsy and the Mystery at Hilton Head Island. I hope Lauryn enjoys it. I'll definitely be announcing it on the blog.

And this blog has now become my Christian Writer's Den. I'm no longer sending out the announcment newsletters (which is why you haven't gotten any!). It was just becoming too complicated and getting caught in the spam filters because I was just doing it through my email account. Now I post this writer's blog every Tuesday instead. I just started it in January, so it would be easy to go back and read what we've done so far, if you wanted to. The topic rotates from week to week, but each one relates to writing. I hope you'll sign up for the feed. ;-)

Thanks again for stopping by. It's been such a joy to see God blessing your work! Congratulations on all your books!

Blessings, friend. See you at Blue Ridge for sure!

Vonda 

 

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