Thursday, June 24, 2021

Persistence in Writing and Learning to Accept Critiques with guest Janice Cantore


Please welcome guest Janice Cantore as she shares how persistence in writing goes hand in hand with learning to accept critiques.

I’m often asked how long it took for me to get my first book published. It was a long time—seven years—and there were many rejections before I saw my first novel on a bookstore shelf. Two lessons I learned from the process: (1) keep writing and (2) learn to accept critiques.

#1 Keep writing. 

Sometimes a painful rejection can make you feel as though you should be doing something else, that writing is not your gift. When I was in the police academy, the first few weeks were tough; they were meant to weed out people who did not have the mindset or skill set that would make them good police officers. At first, people were quitting left and right. Those of us who eventually stuck it out had a running joke: When things were hard and a classmate complained, someone would say, “I think Truck Masters is hiring,” meaning they could always quit and try something else.

I’ve talked to enough Christian writers who feel called to writing, whether it be devotional, fiction, nonfiction, or for the secular market, to know that rejections sometimes hit them in their faith. I don’t mean their faith in God; I mean they begin to wonder if writing is their gift after all, or if maybe they should be doing something else. If that’s the case, keep writing, no matter the rejections. I’m not saying ignore the rejections. Hopefully, you’ve received feedback to help you improve. What I am saying is you can’t edit a blank page. If this is your calling, you’re not going to be happy not writing. Quitting because someone said no will simply make you miserable.

No one ever told me that getting published was going to be easy. All I knew was that I had to write. I just kept at it. And I’ve never met a writer who said that since they believed it was their calling, every page came out perfect the first time. Great writers work at their craft.



#2 Learn to accept critiques. 

Number two goes hand in hand with number one. If you’re going to persist and keep writing, be honest with yourself about why the rejections come. I’ve heard stories at writers’ conferences about writers who won’t accept criticism. They are in love with what they have put on the page, and they refuse to listen to editors or agents who give helpful critiques. A person who can’t look at his or her writing honestly and make changes is not likely to ever be published. Just yesterday I deleted a page and a half from my work in progress because honestly, after reading and rereading it, as much as I loved what I had written, it was misplaced and completely slowed the story down.

My first book was rejected multiple times before a paid reader pointed out a major flaw in the first chapter. I’m glad I didn’t quit and that I accepted the criticism and fixed the flaw. I had a book contract a month later.

Don’t take rejection personally. Try to look at any criticism objectively. I sometimes think the writing process is a mess. I use so much ink and so many pages of paper before I get to the point where I think the book is ready. Then I send it to the editor, and it comes back all marked up with changes that have been made and notes about more changes that need to be made. Sometimes at first pass I don’t agree with the editor about what needs to be edited. And then after a few more passes, I realize that she’s right, and the changes make the book stronger. Most critiques are made to help you improve, not to destroy you.

In the police academy there were many reasons people quit. Some could not meet the physical standards. Some realized that wearing a uniform would make them a target. Others maybe realized that carrying a gun might mean they’d have to take a life one day. I just remember being glad I stuck it out, that when I completed the academy and was sworn in, I truly felt I’d accomplished something special. In reality, the work had only just begun, but that is another story.

It was the same with writing. When that first contract came, I was so gratified that I had stuck with it. It was such an exciting rush to see my words in print. And truly, the work had only just begun.

If writing is what you must do, keep at it. Read about writing, go to conferences, learn your craft. Absorb good critiques and forget bad ones. Keep writing, keep editing, don’t give up easily, and never give up if it is your dream.


One commenter will win a print copy of Janice's new release, Breach of Honor! (US only)


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Janice Cantore is a retired Long Beach police officer who now writes suspense novels to keep readers engrossed and leave them inspired. Her twenty-two years of experience on the force lend authenticity to her stories. She has penned twelve romantic suspense novels: the Cold Case Justice series, the Pacific Coast Justice series, the Line of Duty series, and Critical Pursuit and Visible Threat. Her latest novel, Breach of Honor, releases in July.

Website | Facebook | Romantic Suspense A-Team Facebook Group


ABOUT THE BOOK

Breach of Honor by Janice Cantore (Tyndale, July 2021)

As a police officer in Table Rock, Oregon, Leah Radcliff puts her life on the line to help others every day. But at home, Leah’s battling her own personal nightmare: Brad, her abusive husband, a fellow officer, celebrated hero, and beloved son of a powerful prominent family. Brad’s violent outbursts and suspicious activities have left Leah physically and emotionally scarred, until one desperate action to put a stop to his abuse results in deadly consequences.

Though public opinion seems ready to convict Leah, Officer Clint Tanner is one of the few to believe she acted in self-defense. As he works with Leah’s attorney to produce the evidence they need, new truths about Brad’s dark side come to light—and reveal a deep-rooted problem in Table Rock. There are some who have breached their sworn duty to serve and protect . . . and they’ll do anything to keep their secret safe. Learn more...

34 comments:

  1. Janice, great post, hit home on so many levels. Thoughts of quitting lately because career is stalled because of COVID etc., but know in my heart God will tell me when to quit. Found out this morning I didn't final in the Carol Awards, yuck, but then got an e-mail from an editor wanting to discuss a nonfiction idea I had, so it all eventually rolls around and we need to roll with it.
    Can also relate to the part about criticism. I thought I Knew It All when I started out, and that's why it took ME so long to get published. You don't want to know.
    Good post, Janice. I'm not applying to Truck Masters yet!
    Kathy Bailey

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    1. Kaybee that can be the code well use. Truck Masters is hiring. :)

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    2. Sorry to hear about the Carol Awards, but it's great that there's interest in your nonfiction idea!

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    3. Thank you so much. Good to hear that you will persist

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  2. I don't think it comes naturally to anyone to take criticism. It's such a sign of maturity to be "teachable" and I think this goes for so many things in life, including writing. Thanks for a great reminder that we have to put in the hard work, take what we should from criticism and leave everything else behind. Thanks for being here and the book looks great!!

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    1. Glynis, I remember one of my very early contest critiques and the judge said, "You're jumping from one POV to another. You need to stick with one per scene."

      I didn't even know what POV was, that's how much of a beginner I was. So so much to learn. But if you love writing, you can stick with it and learn so much!

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    2. That's good to hear, Mary. Not that you didn't know what it was, but that you learned and now we get the benefit of your enjoyable stories :) And it's a good reminder to those of us who are yet-to-be-published that there's still hope!

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    3. So true, sometimes criticism is hard to hear. I always hope the correction is coming from the heart and not from something else. Janice Cantore

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  3. Thank you for being here, Janice. Great reminder. I often feel like I should give up the writing, but I still feel the desire to keep writing. The book looks good. Please put me in the drawing.

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    1. This is me, Sandy. And it's advice I give. If writing is too hard, too heartbreaking, if the rejections are unbearable, then quit.
      Because chances are, you can't. People who love to write just keep being lured back into it. And that's how you know you're a writer, because you can't quit!

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    2. It's normal to want to give up if things get tough. But if it's your calling, keep going.
      Janice Cantore

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  4. Good morning, Janice! Thank you for being here on Seekerville!

    Your two points are right on target.

    I've also felt the ennui of the past year making inroads into my writing, and every day is a struggle to open my WIP and get words on the page. But I do it, and I'm making progress.

    And I've learned to welcome criticism. The first and hardest criticism is always from myself. Deleting pages of good words is always hard, but I don't want to send anything to an editor without knowing I've done the best that I can - and then I welcome a second set of eyes and talents to read the story from their perspective. A good editor can pull out hidden themes in the story and show how to make them shine. :-)

    Your new release looks so intriguing! I can't wait to read it.

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    1. Jan, I remember when I first sort of learned what theme even was and I tried my best to 'bring out the theme.' Then at the end of the book I discovered that my chosen, emphasized theme wasn't even the real theme (probably?) so then I needed to go back and emphasize the RIGHT theme and de-emphasize the wrong theme, if I could find those moments when I'd done that.
      Maddening.

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    2. Thank you! Sorry I got here late. Good Job hanging in there!

      Janice Cantore

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  5. Hi Janice:

    I've been to Long Beach many times and my sister went to Harbor College so my question is this: have you written a book or series of books with a Long Beach or nearby city location?

    I've been to the military police academy and we all knew the instructors were trying to break us so we didn't let it bother us. We were not going to let them win! :)

    We did spend a whole week of all day classroom instruction on when we could use deadly force. Afterwards I went to the K9 Police academy and they told us, "You know all that stuff about deadly force they taught you at the Academy? Well, it's a lot tougher in K9 because that dog is not going to miss. You better be right."

    I do love to get critiques but I like them best when they come from knowledgable writers who don't know who I am. I also like getting two or three critiques on the same work to see if the 'experts' agree. The best way to get this is in writing contests. They are so worth the money. Writing is like shooting: you have to see the target and know how to make corrections. Critiques are the targets.

    BTW: did you know we have a Table Rock Lake in Missouri?

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    1. Yes, I did set my first books in Long Beach, changed the name to Las Playas in one series, but it was Long Beach. I did not know that about Missouri. Thanks for checking in! Janice Cantore

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  6. A good reminder for all of us. Persistence and humility. The willingness to work and the willingness to always learn. Thank you, Janice!

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  7. Janice, great advice! Writing is not an easy profession. Law enforcement isn't either...as you know so well! God bless you for your years wearing the blue! Thank you! I pray daily for our law enforcment. What is happening? Defund the police! NO WAY! That's crazy talk, and so many of our wonderful heros and heroines in uniform are being attacked and killed. Okay. I need to get off my soapbox.

    Your story sounds riveting! A must read, for sure!

    Thanks for being with us in Seekerville!

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  8. This is a really good blog, Janice. Thank you.
    You took seven years to get published? Good for you, for persisting. I took ten.
    And now, here we both are, still standing! YAY!

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    1. Yes, it does feel good looking back! Thanks, Janice Cantore

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    2. It was hard to take during, though!!!

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  9. Great post, Janice! I love your books & am so glad you persisted :)

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  10. Thank you, Janice for this nice reminder to stay on task with what God asks us to do, at least I believe so. Love your stories!

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    1. Yes, definitely listen to the Lord. Thank you.
      Janice Cantore

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  11. Great words of encouragement--thank you, Janice! You are a great example of the Lord being at your side through your writing career--and life! God bless you!

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  12. For me this was encouragement to strive to keep writing my first book! Thank you... For myself its everyone telling me I should write and family telling me not to as I might hurt others telling my story... Those who I allowed to read my first 10k words years ago said it must be told. I have learned for me at least that family can be most critical.

    Your book sounds good, although it hits close to home. I think each town has its own skeletons, as do most families. Sadly...

    Thank you for the encouragement and sharing those two points to remember.

    Blessings
    Linda Marie Finn
    Faithful Acres Books & Author Services
    faithfulacresbooks@gmail.com

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    1. Thank you for checking in. Keep writing and working on craft!

      Janice Cantore

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  13. Great post, and a reminder for all of us....learning to accept criticism, and to use it, is important if we want to better ourselves! God bless!!

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