Writer's essentials: red pen, tough skin.Byline: Jim Feehan The Register-Guard Dying is easy. Writing, now that's difficult. Many would-be authors endure countless rejection letters and comments from editors and agents - something akin to a literary version of Simon Cowell Simon Cowell (born 7 October, 1959) is a British artist and repertoire ("A&R") executive for Sony BMG in the United Kingdom and a television producer, more commonly known as a judge on television programmes such as Pop Idol, The X Factor, American Idol , the caustic judge on TV's "American Idol American Idol is an annual American televised singing competition, which began its first season on June 11, 2002. Part of the Idol franchise, it originated from the British reality program Pop Idol. ." But about 30 aspiring writers from the Eugene area discovered Sunday that even the pros have had their share of rejection slips. Science fiction author Ursula LeGuin and a panel of Eugene area writers shared tales of ego-bruising rejection notices from publishers. "It was 10 years before I had anything accepted," said LeGuin, no slouch slouch v. slouched, slouch·ing, slouch·es v.intr. 1. To sit, stand, or walk with an awkward, drooping, excessively relaxed posture. 2. To droop or hang carelessly, as a hat. v. in the writing department. The Portland author is a National Book Award winner and a Pulitzer Prize Pulitzer Prize Any of a series of annual prizes awarded by Columbia University for outstanding public service and achievement in American journalism, letters, and music. Fellowships are also awarded. finalist. Sunday's event at the McNail-Riley House was sponsored by Readin' in the Rain, a citywide project involving booksellers, libraries, schools and other businesses intent on encouraging people to read the same book - and then talk to each other about it. The project's current book: LeGuin's "The Lathe lathe (lāth), machine tool for holding and turning metal, wood, plastic, or other material against a cutting tool to form a cylindrical product or part. It also drills, bores, polishes, grinds, makes threads, and performs other operations. of Heaven." Alan Siporin, a former National Public Radio broadcast journalist turned author, reminded the crowd that editors aren't all bad and can actually be helpful, especially in the revision process. "If you don't enjoy rewriting, you're in the wrong business," said Siporin. Other panelists included Leslie What Leslie What (born Leslie Nelson, 1955) is a writer of fantasy and literary fiction and nonfiction. She began publishing in 1992 with a story for Asimov's Science Fiction. In 1999 she won the Nebula Award for The Cost of Doing Business, published in Amazing Stories. , Leon West and Cai Emmons, a University of Oregon The University of Oregon is a public university located in Eugene, Oregon. The university was founded in 1876, graduating its first class two years later. The University of Oregon is one of 60 members of the Association of American Universities. creative writing professor and 2003 Oregon Book Award winner. Emmons urged beginning writers to get feedback from friends before sending out manuscripts. "You've got to learn to toughen your skin. At some point you've got to figure how much (criticism) you can take," Emmons said. Readin' in the Rain organizers provided scholarships - waiving the forum's $50 cost - to one student from each Eugene-Springfield public high school and college, said chairman James Cunningham James Cunningham is the name of:
Barbi Grossnicklaus, a junior at North Eugene High, found the forum inspiring. "I liked hearing how they had to persevere to get their work published," Grossnicklaus said. F.I. Goldhaber of Salem enjoys picking up tricks of the trade. Among the lessons reaffirmed Sunday: "Rewriting is so critical," Goldhaber said. "It's shocking to people just starting out how important that is." MORE READIN' Fund-raising event features original film adaptation of Ursula LeGuin's novel, "The Lathe of Heaven" When/where: Saturday, 3 p.m. and 7 p.m., McDonald Theater, downtown Eugene Cost: Suggested donation of $3 to $10. More information: Visit www.read-rain.org online CAPTION(S): Ursula LeGuin, author of this year's Readin' in the Rain pick, "The Lathe of Heaven," fought rejection for 10 years. |
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