By MaryAnn
Diorio, PhD, MFA
Have you ever wondered why some writers can face rejection with a
smile while others cannot? Have you ever noticed that some writers deal with
criticism graciously while others get all bent out of shape? Have you ever been
amazed that some writers share their expertise freely while others are
reluctant to help aspiring writers?
In each of these
three instances, one common denominator stands out. Have you figured it out
yet? It’s attitude. A writer’s attitude determines his responses toward other
writers and toward editors, agents, and publishers.
Attitude is the
way one looks at himself and at his world. For the writer, attitude is the way
she looks at herself as a writer and the way she looks at her writing world.
Contrary to
popular opinion, attitude is not determined by what happens to us. Attitude is
determined by our response to what happens to us.
When you get a
rejection letter, do you mope or do you hope? Moping will get you nowhere;
hoping will get you sending that query or article out one more time. That one
more time may be the acceptance time.
When your
critique group points out something that needs addressing in your story, do you
take it to heart or do you tear them apart? That critique may be what gets your
story published.
When a newbie
writer asks you for help or advice, do you pour it forth or do you horde it?
That newbie may be on the verge of quitting and needs a little boost to go on.
Your attitude is
usually quite obvious to those around you. When your attitude is upbeat, you
make life easier for everyone, including yourself. But when your attitude is
negative, you make life miserable for everyone, including yourself.
The wonderful
news about attitude is that we can control it. We can decide the attitude we
will take in every situation.
If you would
like, please share how your attitude helped you or hurt you in your writing
career. What advice would you give us for keeping a good attitude as we face
the challenges of the writing life?
_________________________________________________________________
Dr. MaryAnn Diorio writes compelling
fiction that deals with the deepest issues of the human heart. A widely
published, award-winning author, she teaches fiction writing online for Regent University New
Jersey
LINKED-IN: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/maryann-diorio-phd-mfa-cprw/13/245/999 BOOK
TRAILER FOR A
CHRISTMAS HOMECOMING: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LpCsf1K1KoM
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