tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-501905419993652200.post552868752854703300..comments2023-10-15T09:52:07.142-04:00Comments on Writing Not Whining: Warrior Wednesday: Tales from the Unpubbed - Joanna St. JamesHi y'all!http://www.blogger.com/profile/12907154808799836842noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-501905419993652200.post-3378485615711087312011-01-08T19:31:55.784-05:002011-01-08T19:31:55.784-05:00Hope that partial is successful! I understand abou...Hope that partial is successful! I understand about having a tender writer's skin. I'll keep my fingers and toes crossed for you!mary.anne.gruen@gmail.comhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16839396134411360643noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-501905419993652200.post-55284589422529373902011-01-07T17:40:10.165-05:002011-01-07T17:40:10.165-05:00Hi Joanna! Wow, you sound just like me. My first r...Hi Joanna! Wow, you sound just like me. My first rejection put me into hiding for well over 2 years telling myself I stunk and there was no way I could ever do this. But, that bad voice finally went away. Good luck with your partial.Donna Shieldshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04607270459657152401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-501905419993652200.post-80519872179754731302011-01-07T03:44:26.465-05:002011-01-07T03:44:26.465-05:00you guys and gals are the best. I knew you would g...you guys and gals are the best. I knew you would get me :)<br />Thank you for all the advice you better believe am soaking it up like a sponge<br />xoxo<br />JoJoanna St. Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06180782095853911283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-501905419993652200.post-50348503307259080842011-01-06T19:13:17.817-05:002011-01-06T19:13:17.817-05:00Hi Joanna!
There is nothing tame about spending yo...Hi Joanna!<br />There is nothing tame about spending your days with a toddler and your nights at the computer. Good luck with your partial! I did the same as you. In January 2010 I decided to take the year off from my work to pursue my dream of publication. It worked for me! I hope it works for you. But don't pin all your hopes and dreams on one manuscript. Continue writing and researching and editing, so when they ask to see something else, you're ready!Wendy S Marcushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09590562856819593365noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-501905419993652200.post-55743114171202251652011-01-06T14:20:55.972-05:002011-01-06T14:20:55.972-05:00Hi Everyone,
Hopefully Joanna(and we all!) can on...Hi Everyone,<br /><br />Hopefully Joanna(and we all!) can one day connect with at least one other human being and through her fiction say, "Look, I've been through real <br />hardship and real pain, and I made it...and this is how. <br />Hang in, because you can survive this."<br /><br /><br /><br />Melinda's asking me to show my battle scars for next Wednesday's Warrior...how can I, Oh God, this scars hurt too much and the wound is not healed yet, but being a warrior I've got to show up!! So I'll be here next Wednesday!Nashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14984530648140460594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-501905419993652200.post-31700053577598601582011-01-06T13:52:38.380-05:002011-01-06T13:52:38.380-05:00Btw Mel- love the new blog design!Btw Mel- love the new blog design!Calisa Rhosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07743891437445099016noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-501905419993652200.post-80647374583228637422011-01-06T13:51:45.196-05:002011-01-06T13:51:45.196-05:00What a wonderful idea Melinda. I've been tryin...What a wonderful idea Melinda. I've been trying to think of a weekday theme to blog on, but I keep finding all these others so much more fun reading than creating my own.<br /><br />Joanna! Great writer's story. And at *&*^&^ something yrs old, I still don't understand olde English. I can totally relate to rejections though. I got two for the same ms...from the same editor. Long story. But it would've been three r's had 'another editor' replied back after requesting the full. Since then, like you I was introduced to the medical Fasttrack (thanks again Melinda!). I have a full subbed as of December 18th. So, I'm feeling your waiting stress here in Oklahoma, USA. Good luck. You deserve it.Calisa Rhosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07743891437445099016noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-501905419993652200.post-79971782749247264722011-01-06T09:39:35.062-05:002011-01-06T09:39:35.062-05:00I'm amazed by Shakespeare at age 8. I was stil...I'm amazed by Shakespeare at age 8. I was still reading chapter books. We all start someplace, and I think your writing start is a good one. Never give up.Carol Kilgorehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15168273312704732896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-501905419993652200.post-87725480250297571082011-01-06T02:38:23.223-05:002011-01-06T02:38:23.223-05:00Awww, touching story but nonetheless, never give u...Awww, touching story but nonetheless, never give up hope. For me, i have been writing since when i can remember and up till now, i am still honing my craft because you need to perfect it every single day. Do not let anybody put you down. We all learn every day as no man is an island.<br /><br />One day, we will all look back as pubbed authors also advising wanna-bes. And who knows, we may just be as successful as J.K. Rowling or Stephen King?Rachelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11873064463647552733noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-501905419993652200.post-56409730549397441602011-01-05T20:37:24.780-05:002011-01-05T20:37:24.780-05:00That first rejection can be a kick to the crotch, ...That first rejection can be a kick to the crotch, can't it?Chris Phillipshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02638226375639228988noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-501905419993652200.post-22660039126476345172011-01-05T19:13:14.694-05:002011-01-05T19:13:14.694-05:00Hey Mel,
GREAT IDEA! Love love love it. And Joann...Hey Mel,<br />GREAT IDEA! Love love love it. And Joanna, great post. Always so honest and relatable. It's a hard road, but totally worth it in the long run, and I know it so encouraging to feel that we are not alone. Most writers experience rejection and setbacks etc., the key is to press on! Can't wait to read your call story some day soon.Christine Bellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13813598045501650461noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-501905419993652200.post-10712510492906030152011-01-05T19:08:23.608-05:002011-01-05T19:08:23.608-05:00You say you have a tender skin when it comes to re...You say you have a tender skin when it comes to rejection Joanna, but I suspect a steely interior. You go girl, and I know you will reach the pub stage soon! Great to see you back.<br /><br />Thx Melinda for hosting this series. It's going to be a blast!Denise Covey https://www.blogger.com/profile/07106490051555233439noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-501905419993652200.post-13148639367570456802011-01-05T18:45:46.456-05:002011-01-05T18:45:46.456-05:00Love her blog! And great to learn more about her t...Love her blog! And great to learn more about her too. I am blown away about the Shakespeare at age 8 thing. Wow!<br />:)Lydia Kanghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00484415427764822386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-501905419993652200.post-50193672266567033352011-01-05T15:26:26.190-05:002011-01-05T15:26:26.190-05:00Hi everyone! Thanks for stopping in. Isn't J...Hi everyone! Thanks for stopping in. Isn't Joanna the best? Nas is my guest next week and I can't wait to read her story too.<br /><br />Murphy - what a great story! Thanks for sharing.<br /><br />Rebecca - I'm one of those too who puts the kiddo to bed and waits for complete silence to start writing.Melinda B. Piercehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04073396743767843202noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-501905419993652200.post-27660849164492188742011-01-05T14:28:16.266-05:002011-01-05T14:28:16.266-05:00Hi Melinda,
Great idea this Warrior Wednesday, an...Hi Melinda,<br /><br />Great idea this Warrior Wednesday, and Joanna's input is every thing I expected from her - a professional presentation! <br /><br />best<br />FFrancine Howarthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02326542867876257042noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-501905419993652200.post-39669155881803704212011-01-05T14:05:20.349-05:002011-01-05T14:05:20.349-05:00Good luck with the partial. Rejections stink. I ha...Good luck with the partial. Rejections stink. I have one, and it wasn’t too bad since the manuscript was already under contract, but it still sucked getting rejected. My best advice is if one publisher rejects it, submit it someplace else.Angelina Rainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16953868243120764347noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-501905419993652200.post-71850773111555503412011-01-05T13:42:32.665-05:002011-01-05T13:42:32.665-05:00Great series idea!Great series idea!Kari Mariehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04404956407734167300noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-501905419993652200.post-77908135100441296382011-01-05T13:22:37.358-05:002011-01-05T13:22:37.358-05:00Melinda, I absolutely love this blog idea :). It&#...Melinda, I absolutely love this blog idea :). It's like a girls night out for unpublished writers (guys welcome too ;)).<br /><br />Joanna, you'll get there sooner than you think. Thanks for sharing. You have such contagious, positive energy :). I'm saving a spot on my shelf for your first book.Rula Sinarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01703015110251843280noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-501905419993652200.post-44077630296230605312011-01-05T13:17:25.623-05:002011-01-05T13:17:25.623-05:00Hi Melinda, thanks for the Warrior Wednesdays- Tal...Hi Melinda, thanks for the Warrior Wednesdays- Tales of the Unpubbed! We definitely going to learn a lot from this new series.<br /><br />Hi Joanna, thanks for sharing. I sincerely hope as all the HM&B offices open for the new year that your partial is accepted and a call for the "full" is made!Nashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14984530648140460594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-501905419993652200.post-43627521479105583432011-01-05T12:49:10.761-05:002011-01-05T12:49:10.761-05:00Wow!! Thank you Melinda B Pierce for hosting the f...Wow!! Thank you Melinda B Pierce for hosting the fabulous Joanna St James!! What a warrior woman and writer too!! I think it's only a matter of time (by the end of the year of course!!!) that Ms St James will be all published and by golly she deserves to be!! Yay for her!! <br /><br />Take care<br />xOld Kittyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13185547869183611159noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-501905419993652200.post-28807115511306262952011-01-05T12:36:30.188-05:002011-01-05T12:36:30.188-05:00Melinda - great idea for a blog post. Thanks for t...Melinda - great idea for a blog post. Thanks for the shout out on the Savvy loop! <br /><br />Joanna- hang in there. You have a great attitude and use each rejection to learn something new, perfect your craft. I write at night as well with two small kids and a full-time job - so I'll be thinking of you and cheering you on as I write!<br /><br />RobinRobin Covingtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08738966068843350238noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-501905419993652200.post-33720249838403922392011-01-05T12:32:45.842-05:002011-01-05T12:32:45.842-05:00Great blog! I wonder how many of us are up late a...Great blog! I wonder how many of us are up late at night writing when our kids are sleeping? We should have hats. :)Rebecca Zanettihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06252156888953212601noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-501905419993652200.post-86224093623592124222011-01-05T12:27:57.413-05:002011-01-05T12:27:57.413-05:00Hi Melinda - over here from Joanna's. Love thi...Hi Melinda - over here from Joanna's. Love this idea! We all could use someone to commiserate with/be encouraged by!<br /><br />And Joanna - Thanks for sharing your story, and I don't know how on earth you function as a mother on only 4-5 hours of sleep!!!!Beth Mannhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14279427592537427039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-501905419993652200.post-6227001144418223542011-01-05T12:25:49.192-05:002011-01-05T12:25:49.192-05:00'Tales from the unpubbed' is a great idea....'Tales from the unpubbed' is a great idea. Thanks, Melinda.<br /><br />Joanna - thanks for sharing and best of luck with that partial.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-501905419993652200.post-37137064871971573282011-01-05T11:40:02.545-05:002011-01-05T11:40:02.545-05:00Hi Melinda!
Hi Joanna! Two rejection letters? S...Hi Melinda!<br /><br />Hi Joanna! Two rejection letters? Sheesh! If only... ;)<br /><br />Man, I started, what I thought was going to be my writing career, in 1994. Yup - that long ago. I was a stay-at-home mom and like you, I wrote in the dead of night (best time when you have small kids). Now, remember, back then everything was done by snail mail and the internet? Well, let's just say most people thought it was a fad - so there I was waiting for months on end to hear from an editor (never queried an agent). The gals at Harlequin were the bomb! I was on a first name basis with them (personally, I think I was wearing them down) and I continued to send out to other big name publishers too. One of these other Publishers requested a partial and then a full - so exciting! But then???<br />Life happened. Bills needed to be paid and all that - so I went back to work. Funny thing is, I had worked so hard and was so disciplined with my writing - that transitioning that energy into a work environment was no sweat. It was easy - and profitable. With a growing bank account and a recovering ego - I had to make a hard choice when the revise and resubmit letter came from that big publisher who had my full. At first, I tried to do both - two things that required my creative energy - but two weeks in - I realized I couldn't do it. It was a tough choice. Do I continue to make money and build the successful business I'd started or do I put it aside and concentrate on something that was not a sure thing? <br />In the end - I gave up my dream for the time being - and contributed as best I could to our household. There was always an understanding between honey and I that I would pursue my dream when the last child was out of university and so, um, here I am. I'm looking at this as a second chance. The first time around I went this way alone - this time? I'm leaning on all you guys. :) It is a war some days and I'm so happy to be able to find people who will talk about it so openly. Hey, what can I say? Misery does like company. ;D<br /><br />Thanks guys for posting this. And Joanna? Two rejection letters? Crapatola! I could paper my bedroom with all mine.<br /><br />MurphyRiley Murphyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15817930302085699222noreply@blogger.com