It’s only a $9.95 check . . .
At one point, I was on fire to be a published author. I transitioned out of practicing law and began learning how to write. I went to writers conferences (Sewanne for fiction, Kenyon Review for nonfiction). I read goo-gobs of books. I submitted my work to literary journals, keeping a methodical record of what I sent where, who requested more work, what they had liked. I entered contests. All of this led to much publication – essays, short stories, memoirs, magazine articles, radio commentaries – and awards and contests won. But then I stalled.
I couldn’t get anyone interested in publishing my full-length literary works. Not the memoir – yes, we want chapters; no, we don’t want the full memoir. Same thing for the short stories and essays: pieces published all over the place; not the collections. And—no matter how high they’d placed in contests—certainly no one wanted any of my five novels.
Over the last two years, I’ve quit. I quit submitting, saying it was because I was spending so much time on my novel-writing/revision. I quit attending conferences, telling myself it was because I’d done that; the next thing needed to be something more.
The truth is, I did what my favorite quote says not to do: Never, never, never give up (Winston Churchill). I didn’t give up on writing; I gave up on the writing community. I gave up on them wanting my work and, in a “I can take a hint” reaction, I walked away.
Time for a change. I’ve signed up to go to the Oxford Creative Nonfiction Writers Conference , put on by my writing friend, Susan Cushman. Even more telling, I’m writing a check to renew my Poets and Writers magazine subscription. The magazine was the first thing published authors told me I needed to do: join the community by taking this magazine. Who knows – so much time has passed, maybe this advice is no longer viable. It doesn’t matter. The check is mostly symbolic. It’s my way of saying, yes, I do want to be part of your community. I intend to get back in the game.
here’s to creative synthesis . . .
creative nonfiction writers, kenyon review, literature, poets and writers magazine, Writing
NancyKay Sullivan Wessman
Welcome back, Ellen! Haven’t officially registered yet, but I’m going, too, and will look forward to seeing you. Told some folks just last week how much I enjoyed that “making crosses” session you offered and I attended — at St. Andy’s, maybe? I was so pleased with my art that it’s still on my wall! Keep on keeping on. . .
Ellen Morris Prewitt
That’s wonderful to know, both that you enjoyed the workshop and you were pleased with your cross. Hope to see you in Oxford – Ellen
Darrelyn Saloom
You picked a great one to attend. It’s a truly magical conference in one of my favorite settings.
Ellen Morris Prewitt
I’m looking forward to it!
Marisa Whitsett
This really speaks to where I’ve been with writing, and you got so much farther than I ever did. I kind of nosed my foot up against the door and when it didn’t open for me, I never thought about the fact that maybe they hadn’t even heard me knocking. Good luck at the conference, and more importantly, claiming your space in the writing community!
Ellen Morris Prewitt
Thanks, Marisa – I love the door/knocking analogy