Friday, July 6, 2012

The Power of Words


I know a writer who wrote
A picture book manuscript
And had the courage to pursue—
Querying.

We know what it’s like to send
Our babies into the world
Like blowing wishes in the wind
Hoping.

One agent is well known ‘round
The social networking sphere
And was doing what agents do—
Advising.

This agent sent the writer,
Not a form letter, but still
One writers dread, anticipate—
Rejection.

But
It
Didn’t
Stop
There.

The agent
Actually said
It was awful and called
Her a terrible writer.

The writer
Wanted to quit.

Another
Writer who is
Published and Established
Told her it was super—keep

Trying
To
Get
It
Published.
The writer didn’t give up
Because the published writer
Did what all good agents should do—
Support.

Writers
Make
Mistakes
Learn
Grow.

We all start somewhere humble
Before we make our mark.
Doing what writers do with time—
Blossoming.

Nobody
Has
The
Right
To

Crush dreams.

What one agent calls DRIVEL
Can leave another agent DAZZLED.

Don’t
Give
Up
Just
Yet.






Keep writing
xo
Theresa



P.S. My poem is included in


Please read “Catty-Corner” on pages 41-42. 

This poem illustrates the power of words for me. 

75 comments:

  1. Oh your poem is wonderful!!! Wonderful!! Powerful, emotive, amazing!

    "Solace-less sheets shackle me". Now that's a phrase and a half!! Love it!! Thank you for sharing!!

    Don't give up!! Keep going - you have a gift to turn words into something else marvelous!! Take care
    x

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    1. Old Kitty, thank you so much for reading it.

      I've slowly been going through the 100RPM stories. Just got to yours today. We both wrote about people who love their friends, who don't love them back. How strange is that??? Happy weekend.

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  2. "Nobody has a right to crush dreams."

    Wow, who'd want that on their list of shames? Love the poem, and I hope the writer keeps pursuing their dream.

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    1. L.G. Smith, when I wrote a post about being down, this writer shared the story. I was shocked. And I hope the writer keeps pursuing their dream too.

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  3. It's only one person's opinion! Never quit because of that.
    And congratulations on acceptance into Vine Leaves. Jessica keeps saying there are SO many awesome entries that it's difficult to choose.

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    1. Alex, I agree. But this person was really hurt because it was such a high-profile person.

      Thanks on the congrats. I'm thrilled to be part of this issue.

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  4. Congratulations. And we must all learn to ignore those that would crush our dreams. That's a good reminder.

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    1. Liz, ever see that list of scathing comments sent to writers for manuscripts that wound up being huge books? That should encourage anyone who gets a mean-spirited comment.

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  5. Very good! And congrats on the inclusion in Vine Leaves :)
    Happy Weekend.

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    1. Carol, thank you. The issue is beautiful. I can't believe what a wonderful job Jessica Bell and Dawn Ius do putting it together. I'm happy to be included with so many talented writers.

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  6. Congratulations on another inclusion in Vine Leaves, Theresa. I love this poem. Thank you for the inspiring words.

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    1. Len, thank you. I have to thank the writer who inspired me to write it! My outrage on her behalf produced it.

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  7. So much truth in these words. Taste is so fickle and varies from one to another. We should never give up. If 99 people hate what we've done and one person likes it, I say there's still a chance--we just haven't found the right audience and market.

    Lee
    Tossing It Out

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    1. Lee, that's a very good attitude. Hard to wade through those 99 to get to the 1. But we have to keep trying!

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  8. Bravo, and congratulations on the poetry publication!!!

    bru

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    1. Bru, congratulations to you too. I saw your name when I checked the table of contents. Today has been a crazy day, so I haven't had a chance to read through the issue yet!

      I tried to comment on your blog, but I see you don't have a comments button.

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  9. Congrats on the publication. I will check it out.

    You are right on about the subjectivity of this business and that no one has the right to crush dreams.

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    1. Medeia, thank you. I hope you like the poem.

      Yes, this business is subjective.

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  10. :) < A picture of me smiling. Your words are so very powerful and inspiring. You mean the world to me. And your Catty-Corner is ultra fantastic too. The ending, superb. This is a poem that kept me on the edge of my seat. Like a mini story. I'm so proud to call you friend. xoxo

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    1. Robyn, this is such a sweet comment. Thank you. Your approval of the post and poem means a lot to me, as does your friendship.

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  11. wow, I love your poem. It's quite powerful! Congrats on getting into the journal again :)

    And yes, we can't give up!!!!

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    1. Lynda, thank you for the compliment. I appreciate it.

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  12. Thanks for sharing the poem!! I really enjoyed it.

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  13. Absolutely wonderful, Theresa. A powerful piece we can all relate to. And congrats on the publication!

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    1. Susan, I'm glad you can relate to the piece. Thanks!

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  14. I'll bet agents who respond that way to writers' queries last long themselves.

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    1. Brent, I hope this agent, and other agents, take care with their comments.

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  15. Powerful stuff. It's such a shame that so many dream stealers lurk in the subjective land of creativity.

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    1. Leslie, beautifully said. I agree. Down with lurking dream stealers!

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  16. Congratulations on your poetry. What don't you write! And what a terrible agent. Honestly, a form letter would have been kinder.

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    1. Missed Periods, I don't write copy, but I have expanded my job search, so I may be able to add that to the list soon.

      Yeah, what's wrong with sending a form letter?

      Delete
  17. What a mean thing to do! Reminds of all the publishers who rejected Harry Potter... You never know what's around the corner :-)

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    1. Deniz, I always think of those rejection letter that float around to authors for books that wound up being huge.

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  18. Well said, Theresa. "No one has the right to crush dreams." You have to wonder what made that agent take the time to write and say something so mean when a form rejection would have served the purpose.

    I am glad the writer found some validation from someone else and is continuing to write and hopefully query.

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  19. I love it Theresa! It's perfect! Encouragement and perseverance is so important in this craft.

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  20. Wow, what a powerful poem, Theresa. When writing is your passion, giving up isn't an option. I hope that writer doesn't let that nasty agent's comments stop her. That agent sounds like she's a bit too big for her britches. And very miserable and unhappy. No, she has no right to crush someone's dreams like that.

    This is my favorite stanza: "We know what it’s like to send
    Our babies into the world
    Like blowing wishes in the wind—
    Hoping."

    Writers can certainly relate to that. Congrats on your poem being published!

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  21. Lovely poem. You are so right. We need to be sensitive and encouraging and supportive. The power of a few careless words can devastate. A good reminder to us all. Thanks.

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  22. Thanks for this, Theresa, I just love it. It's so important to remember that one person's opinion is just an opinion. If our hearts tell us to write, we must write, else we're lost.
    Some Dark Romantic

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  23. Well done, Theresa. I agree with you that nobody has the right to crush anybody else's dreams. If we want something badly enough, we should never stop trying.

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  24. Ohh I very much loved your poem.. filled with emotion. Congrats on it appearing in the book:)

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  25. Love the poem! So true!!!!!!

    Congratulations on your poem being published. :) You are on your way, girlfriend!

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  26. Great poem, especially the part about the solace-less sheets! That was my favorite line. That agent who told the writer her work was awful sounds really mean. I wonder if she treats everyone like that. I wouldn't want that person to be my agent.

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  27. Love your poem, Theresa. You write from the heart.

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  28. What a wonderful poem. So much truth there!

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  29. I love this so much. Because it's so true.

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  30. A wonderfully true poem Theresa. And congrats on being in Vine Leaves again!

    Denise

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  31. So ver well said! And a big congrats, as well-

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  32. I love this poem, Theresa. Nothing is gained by giving up!

    Hope you had a lovely weekend.

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  33. Love love this message Theresa. Shame on that agent :( I always say sometimes the hardest thing to do is to just keep going

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  34. Very clever writing, and a great message of inspiration too :)

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  35. That's a great message Theresa. What a terrible thing for that agent to do. If you have a name, I'd love to know which agent it was.

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  36. Well said. I can't add anything to that, so I'll simply say: YOU ROCK THERESA!

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  37. You said it so well. Glad you stayed the course. Congratulations on Vine Leaves Literary. That's really wonderful.

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  38. P.S.

    Just read your poem. It was so touching and so real.

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  39. Stopping back over to let you know, I've given you an award on my blog today =)

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  40. Love this!! Your poem is awesome and so is the video!!! Love it :)

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  41. Wow! I feel totally inspired and empowered. Now I'm off to do something awesome. Hope Its not something I can get arrested for.

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  42. That's just plain unprofessional, an agent saying something like that. I'm really ticked off.

    But I love how you put this in a poem.

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  43. its so true, what one person loves another recoils from, thankyou for your words Theresa x And many congrats on your wonderful poem! (great title!)

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  44. Oh, Theresa. *sniff* THANK YOU! This is especially timely for me. ((hugs)) <3

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  45. Yes! Keep writing, keep going - for if you are called to write, it's the only thing to do. And it will happen, it's just a matter of time!

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  46. So inspiring and so true. We mustn't give up!

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  47. Super inspiring Theresa! The part that speaks to me (other than the don't give up) is blossoming. Paints a picture for me :)

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  48. I may hang this on my wall.
    Simply beautiful. :)

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  49. Nice. Mean people suck. That's why we have our writers community, eh? Great poem.

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  50. Like blowing wishes in the wind. Now that is so true!

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  51. Wow...I want to bottle this emotion up and take it with me wherever I go. Thank you.

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  52. Perfect and beautiful, Theresa! Thank you for sharing this. ;D

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