Michelle Boccanfuso Nanouche, CSB Christian Science Practitioner & Teacher
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4/4/2012

Tip for writers - Getting published

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I became a writer in 1993. Well, actually, that is a lie. I became a published writer, with my first article appearing in a magazine, in 1993. I started writing years before. I just kind of stunk at it for a long while.

The evolution from writing to getting published involved a single-minded focus on my message, finding my voice, loving the reader enough to write in an understandable way, persisting, and a lot of getting over myself.

And not necessarily in that order.

Finding my subject and focus was never a problem. I wrote about what I loved - healing prayer. But sending in my first manuscript was a bit like sending a picture of my kid to the "Most Beautiful Baby" contest. I couldn't believe others didn't see it the way I did!

To sum up the politely written form letter that came back, in the fewest possible words, it read: No way, José.

So I did what any self-respecting writer, who was thrilled by the sound of her own writing voice, would do. I tweaked and snipped and primped and plumped the article, changed the title, and sent it in again. This time the response was more personalized: No way, José. And don't think you are fooling us. We know it is the same piece.

Well, I thought, at least they remember me!

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Some get discouraged by rejection. I get more determined.  I junked the first article and wrote another one. I got the same general response, with a little more: No way, José. Try again. And here are a couple of writing guidelines.

So, I wrote a new piece following the recommendations. It was rejected, too. And the process repeated itself another five times (nine tries altogether), with increasing instructions, corrections and tips coming back from the editors.

After the ninth one went in, I received a life-altering, writer-making letter from an anonymous editor, who walked me through the writing process, step-by-step. It was four pages long, front and back, hand-written.  And it included some of the  best direction I could have asked for on writing in a winning way.

They realized I would never quit. It was either help me, or put up with me forever. But I was not going to stop writing.

My tenth manuscript was accepted for publication. And although it was edited beyond recognition, it went to print. I knew that a wall had been scaled, a battlefield had been conquered, and a published writer was born.

The struggle was never with editors.
The struggle was getting over a false sense of self. Seeing my persistence, and witnessing my gradual release of self-conceit and human will, the editors became essential mentors, helping me to communicate my good ideas more effectively.

Mary Baker Eddy, a successful writer who also once struggled to get published, wrote, "Be of good cheer; the warfare with one's self is grand; it gives one plenty of employment, and the divine Principle worketh with you, — and obedience crowns persistent effort with everlasting victory." (Miscellaneous Writings, 118)

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Writing can open wonderful doors. For three years, I had difficulty getting an office in Paris because my work as a Christian Science practitioner didn't fit under any of the recognized categories of professions in France. And in this country, if you don't fit under a category, you don't exist and can't get compulsory insurance.

In 2009, I finally found an agent who asked me to tell him every activity I engaged in at work. Among other things, I told him that I frequently write for magazines. He replied, "That's it! There is the answer! You are an "ecrivain publique" - a public writer."

Do you love to write but get stuck sometimes?
  The Bible can be a great source of inspiration and support. Here is a helpful link to Bible verses that address an aspiring writer's doubt, need for inspiration, and writer's block.

Have you ever been stymied by a rejection letter from a publisher? Don't give up. Keep at it.
If I could offer one essential tip: Hug every editor that comes your way - even, perhaps especially, the ones that are tough on you. The more cuts on a diamond, the smoother it is and the brighter it gleams. And what cuts a diamond? Other diamonds. Editors are put in our path to help us find our voice and learn how to use it. Their efforts may cut, but they help us move forward in the battle with self until the struggle is over and all our persistent effort is crowned with victory.


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Paul
4/4/2012 08:18:38 am

What was the publication that printed your manuscript? Healing prayer - the CSJournal, Sentinel? or was it a book? Just curious. Although I like the analogy of the diamond, does "Hug every editor..." really qualify as a tip? ;-)

Michelle Nanouche link
4/4/2012 08:32:29 am

I didn't say it was a good tip, or even a likeable tip, but I suppose if it saves someone time grumbling over being edited, or worse yet, helps someone move past the urge to quit writing altogether (something I have run into with writers way too many times to count), yep, I will defend it as a tip - and an essential one at that! :)

Of course one should feel free to think of "hug" as a non-physical, take-the-lesson-and-thank-the-editor-mentally thing. Just to make sure the point is understood.

And my first article appeared in the Christian Science Sentinel in January 1993. (Still makes me smile to say that.)

Thanks for being the first to hit the comments today, Paul!

Paul
4/4/2012 10:34:23 am

I would've thought the CS editors would gladly help. Guess they've come a long way these days - it seems they are reaching out to members to write for the periodicals.

Back to the diamond analogy - do you or anyone else here remember those stone polishing kits from the 60's/70's? Those were a blast!! Same thing - put a bunch of stones in a cylinder that spins, and they all come out really cool and shiny! 8-)

Amy Duncan
4/4/2012 08:52:41 am

Well, I LOVED this...the only thing I might add is that occasionally one runs across an editor who isn't all that great, so we have to be alert to that, too. But it sure is wonderful when you find one who IS great...it's so helpful.

Michelle Nanouche link
4/4/2012 09:05:15 am

And what do we learn from an editor who trashes our great effort or tells us we will never make it? We learn to focus on what is important, brush off unjust criticism, zero in on our message, press forward with stronger convictions, and advance.

Editors are like teachers - we can, and should, learn something from the worst as well as the best. If what comes out of a bad experience is a better tuned ear to one's own intuition and heart, it is a lesson well learned. If not, it is a waste of time to blame the editor, when the lesson is ours and ours alone.

In diamond cutting, polished smooth stones aren't used to get the job done. It is the rough, gritty unpolished stones that get the job. As with diamonds, so with any experience that teaches us. I think one often learns the most important lessons from the tougher circumstances he faces.

Amy Duncan
4/4/2012 09:17:05 am

So true, so true! I once had an editor mangle a piece I'd written for a newspaper so badly that it was unrecognizable. After all these years, I can't honestly say that my piece was perfect and his was garbage, but since I was writing regularly for the paper before he took over as editor and I'd never had anyone make hash of any of my pieces before, I was pretty sure my piece wasn't all THAT bad! But at least, after grumbling for a day or two, I just got back on the horse and went back to my job. And I might add, he never mangled my pieces again!

Kim
4/4/2012 09:18:06 am

Hi Michelle! What I love about this post is that it really can apply to just about anything we do. I worked for many years for a large corporation and know what it means to be able to take criticism constructively. It is not always easy and so many of us (myself included) can get our hackles up when someone begins to "offer advice." However, if we can be more humble and listen to what they have to say, we may learn something valuable...or not. :) The point is, to be open and trust that all is happening for the good!

Michelle Nanouche link
4/4/2012 09:24:58 am

So true, Kim. And taking responsibility to learn our own lessons, and blessing those who force us to do it, is a lesson better learned sooner than later for those who really want to move along and progress.

Stuck is a choice. But until we see that, we might actual think it is a condition and that we can't do anything about it!

And Amy, that is so funny! Good for you for moving forward. Sometimes the learning curve isn't all about us! Sometimes the other guy needs the practice, too! ha

M.J.
4/4/2012 09:57:18 am

Michelle - I find it so interesting that you selected the quote from M.W. as I just read it last night and I don't recall reading it before. It made me laugh out loud thinking of how 'fully employed' I am in correcting erroneous thoughts about myself. I love the idea of divine Principle working with me - what better support can I have than that?! As one who does persist, it's comforting to know that everlasting victory awaits! Thanks much!

Michelle Nanouche
4/4/2012 11:10:34 am

Isn't that cool when a good idea pops up over and over? Such a great passage!

Kay Olson
4/4/2012 10:24:21 am

Oh - how I remember! I had one article published in the Sentinel and had sent in another. Not so fast! It was returned with a request that I work on it. I did. Sent it in again. Returned again. Sent it in again. Returned again. I thought: "Ok God, as long as they keep asking me to work on it, I will - no matter how long it takes. The fifth effort was accepted and published. Nate Talbot was editor and I always credited him with the last line of the article - it wasn't mine. I think he took pity on me.
I learned a bit about humility and persistence and love for the periodicals Mrs. Eddy provided for the world. Thanks for the blog!.

Michelle Nanouche
4/4/2012 11:18:02 am

haha! That reminds me of an article I wrote on a short schedule once. I had a 24 hr deadline and prsyed and sweated and prayed some more over it. I felt as if it was dictated to me by Spirit, line by line. But when I got to the last sentence, i was pooped and thought that's it no more worling on this. I slapped a last sentence on and sent it in. The efitors sent it back and said it was perfect, no edits needed, except for the last sentence - would I mind coming up with a better conclusion?

It was the only sentence that had come from me! The rest had come through prayer. And it was the only line that got cut!!!

Michelle Nanouche link
4/4/2012 11:08:23 am

This is in response too Paul's reply up above: I wouldn't draw too negative a picture of the editors at that time! I look back at my first submissions and there was very little there for them to work with! The kindest thing they could do was let me find my way, with gentle and increasing nudges. An editor does not make a writer. The writer is responsible for what he writes.

I have heard church membership likened to thst rock tumbler! You go in all rough, get knocked around on committees, and come out all smooth n shiny!

Michelle Nanouche link
4/5/2012 03:36:26 am

Want to laugh? I just read that the 4th of April (date of this post) was 'Hug a Newsman Day". Maybe I was just picking up on that signal when I wrote this blog post! Too funny.

Béatrice
4/5/2012 03:41:01 am

I have a friend who once said that ideas are floating all around us. We have just to reach out to catch them :-)

Béatrice
4/5/2012 03:43:36 am

I forgot to say how much I LOVE this post! What a lesson in humility! - and as Kim said: it applies to everything we do!

Michelle Nanouche link
4/5/2012 03:46:37 am

So true! I have learned from blogging that we are never without a good idea. I never sweat the next post, because something is always waiting for me when it is time to write. I went through a lot of years of thinking inspiration was wonderful, but challenging to catch. Turns out, once again, I was wrong. Inspiration is as close as the air we breathe. It's no exceptional. It is perfectly normal.

Michelle Nanouche link
4/5/2012 03:49:20 am

You know, I wrote this post to lighten things up a bit and give a laugh! Had no idea it would generate this much conversation and interest. But I am grateful that the lessons I learned along the bumpy road are helping someone else. Thanks for the appreciation, Béatrice. I am always grateful to hear.

Béatrice
4/5/2012 04:06:52 am

What is funny: every day I think, I shall not comment today. Who do I think I am to always want to put in my 'grain de sel' as we say in french. But, I just seem not to be able to keep quiet - at least for the moment ;-)


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    Michelle Nanouche, Christian Science teacher, spirituality, healing, prayer

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    I have practiced Christian Science professionally in
    some form since 1979.
    But my journey with
    Christian Science started
    in a Sunday school
    where as a young child
    I was taught the Scriptures and some simple basics
    of Jesus' method of
    scientific Christian healing.
    A significant experience
    at the age of twelve
    opened my eyes to
    the great potential
    of this practice. 
    After impaling my foot
    on a nail,
    I prayed the way I had learned
    in Sunday school.
    Within moments
    the pain stopped
    and healing began.
    By the next morning the wound had disappeared completely.
    Having experienced
    the great potential
    ​of Christian Science,
    there would be no
    turning back. 

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