For years I have been writing in the hopes of someday getting some positive feedback. I joined a writers group where we submit screenplays to a moderator (the group’s founder) and she decides if it’s worth sharing with the group. She rejected one of mine without reading it because not only was it a romcom (which she hates) but a Christmas movie! Yuck!
I believe you can learn from reading work in all genres. I revised the dreaded Christmas movie and submitted it to a contest. I just made the first cut (quarter finalist). So yes I’m bragging but I also feel vindicated. You’ve got to believe in yourself.
Thanks for reading this. Good luck to everyone who has a dream.
No matter what, no one can ever take “quarter finalist” away from you. I tell our friends Bff is an “award winning poet.” Does it matter that the award was from the cc where she took writing classes and the prize was $10? Nah.
Congratulations! It’s great getting outside validation!
My best English teacher ever was one in college who tried to help each of us hone our personal style to write our personal best instead of wanting us to be imitations of him, as most other teachers (consciously or not) do.
I nominated him for a teaching award. (He secretly nominated me for outstanding AUW SR woman. To my astonishment and I won and was invited to attend an awards ceremony 75 miles away.)
Thanks @emilybee ! HIMom – that’s a great story, and what nice recognition for both of you! Yes I agree – teachers often don’t even realize they’re “guiding” you to write like them. A good writing teacher is hard to find (one who can stand back and help students like your teacher did).
Thanks MomofJandL and sabaray! I really appreciate the post.
@mathmom – you’re so right. I’m not a snob about writing and learning. If it’s good, I want to read it, even if it’s a genre (like horror) that isn’t my first pick in terms of what I like to watch. I think of some of the great Christmas movies like It’s a Wonderful Life – where would we be if someone had rejected it outright because it was a Christmas movie?