Thursday, August 11, 2011

Kathryn Stockett: THE HELP


Here is someone who was passionate about what she wanted:

"In the end, I received 60 rejections forThe Help. But letter number 61 was the one that accepted me. After my five years of writing and three and a half years of rejection, an agent named Susan Ramer took pity on me. What if I had given up at 15? Or 40? Or even 60? Three weeks later, Susan sold The Help to Amy Einhorn Books.

The point is, I can’t tell you how to succeed. But I can tell you how not to: Give in to the shame of being rejected and put your manuscript—or painting, song, voice, dance moves, [insert passion here]—in the coffin that is your bedside drawer and close it for good. I guarantee you that it won’t take you anywhere. Or you could do what this writer did: Give in to your obsession instead.

And if your friends make fun of you for chasing your dream, remember—just lie."

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7 comments:

  1. SarahAugust 11, 2011 at 1:59 PM

    What good words for me to read today.

    I loved this book. I'm interested in how they handled the movie.

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  2. AnnAugust 11, 2011 at 3:52 PM

    Awesome advice. Also, I wouldn't mind looking like her.

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  3. EmilyAugust 11, 2011 at 4:31 PM

    I do look like her. A lot. Right?

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  4. Bonnie WhiteAugust 11, 2011 at 9:42 PM

    I did not know this about this author. I admire the tenacity. The dream chaser instinct. And it's a good job I'm going deaf so I don't have to hear all that cackling.

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  5. RobinAugust 12, 2011 at 9:59 PM

    oohh... Thanks for posting this.

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  6. DeneceAugust 16, 2011 at 5:52 AM

    The movie was great. The casting complimented the book.
    I wrote "61 submissions" on the white board in my cave. That will Help.
    Thanks.

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  7. Rebecca SmylieAugust 18, 2011 at 9:37 AM

    Louise, I miss you terribly. Here's the thing, I once went to a panel of hotshot agents and they were citing things like this and finally at the end of the panel I asked "but what if I'm actually not any good?" and you they--the panelists--gave me a standing ovation. They said it was the most honest question they'd ever been asked. And seriously, I bet there are some terrible terrible writers out there who read things like this and just.keep,submitting. Then again, I read a lot of things and think "wow, it should have been harder for this person to get an agent..."

    But really, I miss you.

    ReplyDelete

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