Join Me Tonight?

Let's have a PubChat

Hi Writing Family, it’s Kelly Eden here.

Can I ask a favor? I’m a guest speaker tonight on Publishous’ Twitter PubChat talking about being a writer and I’m a bit nervous. Twitter is very new to me and it’s a bit of an unusual interview format Tweeting my answers in a limited number of words!

I’d love to have you there to join the discussion and offer your own ideas and experiences. Or just as support! It starts at 8PM Central time here:

If you come along for the chat let me know you’re from my writing family so I can follow you on Twitter too. I’d love to see a few more of you in my feed.

Talking about interviews…

I was inspired by the perseverance of a new writer Chelsea Thornton last week and I asked her to share her journey with you. Hopefully you’ll be inspired too!

Chelsea says:

Everybody hates to be rejected, but rejection comes with the territory of being a writer. Any author you can think of, whether famous or one of your favorites, has undoubtedly received rejections.

Moral of the story? Never give up.

Personally, I received sixty-one rejections from different literary magazines for various short stories and flash fiction before I finally received my first acceptance.

Yes, each rejection hurt. I felt that flame of hope dimming with each and every one.

But I never quit.

What kept Chelsea going after 61 rejections?

I have such a strong passion for writing and for the written word, and that is very important in handling rejections from editors, agents, or publishers. I have been writing fiction since high school, started a few novels and gave up on them, went back to college at age twenty-four. Still, at the age of thirty, I am working toward my BA in English Literature.

Everything takes time, and good things come to those who persevere and work for them.

Her writing submission tips

I have written about a dozen short stories. They've been sent out to multiple magazines at a time. (Make sure you pay attention to the ones that don't allow simultaneous submissions.)

Some editors offer feedback. After receiving a rejection with feedback, sometimes I would choose to rewrite parts of the story and then continue sending it out.

Sometimes it is all about finding the perfect home for your words, and that can take time.

If writing is something you are truly passionate about, then you must learn to cope with the rejections and have the determination that is strong enough to push you toward that first acceptance. And, hopefully, it will be the first of many!

Her best advice for new writers:

For those new writers who are just starting out: Don't just write one story and give up on it after a couple of rejections.

If you're querying for a book, chances are you won't get an acceptance on your first shot. That's alright. The rejections mean you're a writer and you're working toward your goal.

If you're writing short stories, flash fictions, or poems, write A LOT of them! Your writing will grow stronger with each one. Send them all out. And be proud of all your submissions!

Good luck!

Chelsea’s first acceptance was a flash fiction piece that will be published in an online issue of Emerge Literary Journal in January 2021. It’s great when we celebrate each others wins, big and small!

You can follow Chelsea on Twitter @chelseactually

Have you had a win with your writing recently? Tell us about it so we can celebrate with you too.

Hope to see you at PubChat tonight!

Kelly