From Anonymous........
"I recently visited a writer's blog/critique group that I found pretty neat. They had an address to email so that you could join the group. They requested a writing sample along with the email. So, I sent the email, stating how much I liked their site and included an excerpt from my latest release. Two hours later I received a response that said...."You seem like a nice person, however, we are not declining your request based on that, but rather your apparent lack of writing ability." I am a published author, so naturally this had me worried and confused. I knew I wasn't the best, but never guessed I had no apparent writing ability.
Afterwards, I went back to the blog and visited the other member's sites and was surprised to find that only two out of their twenty or so members were actually published. How rude did they have to be? Couldn't they just have easily said..."We're sorry, but we're at capacity at the moment and have no desire for any new members."??? What was the point in making me not want to write for three days afterward for fear of being a crappy writer?"
Here is the url that was included with this email........
http://www.rwunlimited.org/
Moral of the story..........Never let anyone's comments or opinions deter you from your goal or objective. It is simply their opinion, nothing more. And for every one person out there that doesn't believe in you, your work or your talent, there are three out there that do! You just have to find them and not give up. Don't ever let a meanie keep you staring at a blank screen for three days wondering whether or not you're a real writer or just pretending to be one.
Meanies and Weenies
- Meanies and Weenies
- If you have a story and link to share please email Ms. Dunn Hadenuff at meaniesandweenies@yahoo.com
6 comments:
Anonymous,
On the surface that sure does sound mean.
So, out of curiosity, I followed your link. Interesting blog for a writing group, but hey, it's their choice.
Then I went through and looked at the pages listed for members. Unlike you, I found that seven of the fifteen members who have pages listed were published. Close to fifty percent for a writing community is not too shabby.
So, yes, they were mean. Clearly as writers, they could have phrased the no a little more gently. But I'd have to give them a little more credit than you do that they know what they are doing.
Since my writers community has been listed here as a "meanie" by anonymous (I recognize who it is since I still have a copy of the letter I sent her), I felt I needed to set the record straight. The "letter" written above is not a true representation of the actual letter she received. Let me copy and paste what was truly sent to her:
Dear M---y:
Thank you for your interest in Romance Writers Unlimited. You seem like a lovely person and your writing does show promise as you clearly have a wonderful imagination, but I'm sorry to say we're declining your membership at this time. This is not a reflection of your talent as a writer, it is simply the voting panel's opinion of writing level seen in the submission.
Thank you again for your interest and I wish you continued success in your writing career!
Leslie Dennis
Founder, RWU
I'm very sorry that she chose to call us mean and to publicly mis-word her rejection. We're very selective and unfortunately, she was declined by the voting committee based on the writing sample she chose to send in.
Anonymous,
I'm a member of RWU (Romance Writers Unlimited) and happy to be one. As all of our members did, I had to submit a writing sample before acceptance. This is a private group, and as such, our wonderful board owner, Leslie Dennis, is free to set up the rules in any manner she sees fit. We know what they are beforehand, so the choice to apply and abide by them is ours. These rules are very fair.
I'm sorry you weren't accepted, and even more so that you were upset. But this is a tough old business, and rejections (from editors, agents, and readers) are the norm, not the exception. Would you bash an editor for rejecting your book, even though you've been published before? No, because it wouldn't be professional. By the same token, labeling a writing group as a meanie just because you weren't accepted is also unprofessional.
I really wish you the best, and hope you grow a tougher skin. You'll need it to survive in this business.
Anonymous,
Wow! I couldn't imagine not writing for three days, especially based on a rejection (either the one you posted or the one that Leslie posted). Editors and publishers can be MUCH harsher than that!
Could you post your writing sample for us?
Maybe someone can recommend another writing group for you.
Best of luck! Looking forward to reading your response :)
Mandy
Interesting how anyone can complain / whine anonymously, but nobody can post comments anonymously.
BTW -- You claim to be published. Who published you?
I'm reminded of a folk tale that was told to me by a Tibetan doctor...
About the magnificent mountain lion, who wandered one day from his realm into a lower world, that of the valley people...
Who, mistaking him for a mangy dog, shot and killed and ate him.
Watch out for those valley people...
Post a Comment