1. In Johnson’s article “Why we pick ourselves up after getting rejected,” he references Anne Lamott’s notion of writing shitty first drafts. She feels that the first draft is always going to be bad and not to worry about it being the most profound. Do you agree or disagree with this? Why? Do you feel that the most important thing will come out onto the page the way it’s supposed to?
2. Also in Johnson’s article he says “This is a long, meandering manner of saying that writing -- let alone getting published -- is as frightening as it is difficult.” Do you feel that getting rejected would make you want to try harder to get published or would it discourage you? Author Stephen King said in his book On Writing that he kept all of his rejection letters on his wall. Why do you think he did this? Would you ever consider displaying your rejection letters?
3. In Reissenweber’s “When can I resubmit work?” he states “Some journals ask for more rights or give other stipulations for future publications of the material. It's important to know exactly what you're agreeing to.” Do you think that the journals/newspaper gain too many rights when you get published by them? What are some drawbacks to these terms and conditions? What are some advantages?
4. In Shapiro’s article, “Secrets to selling your first book: An eight-time author offers a wealth of tips for clueing in to the right things and landing a publishing contract. (cover story)” she gives advice on how to publish. Her one piece of advice is “12. Quit worrying about rights and lawsuits. If something happened to you, it's your story and you have a right to tell it, usually without anybody's permission.” Would you ever put out a story that was very personal? Would you change the facts so you don’t make someone angry or would you stick with what happened?
2. Also in Johnson’s article he says “This is a long, meandering manner of saying that writing -- let alone getting published -- is as frightening as it is difficult.” Do you feel that getting rejected would make you want to try harder to get published or would it discourage you? Author Stephen King said in his book On Writing that he kept all of his rejection letters on his wall. Why do you think he did this? Would you ever consider displaying your rejection letters?
3. In Reissenweber’s “When can I resubmit work?” he states “Some journals ask for more rights or give other stipulations for future publications of the material. It's important to know exactly what you're agreeing to.” Do you think that the journals/newspaper gain too many rights when you get published by them? What are some drawbacks to these terms and conditions? What are some advantages?
4. In Shapiro’s article, “Secrets to selling your first book: An eight-time author offers a wealth of tips for clueing in to the right things and landing a publishing contract. (cover story)” she gives advice on how to publish. Her one piece of advice is “12. Quit worrying about rights and lawsuits. If something happened to you, it's your story and you have a right to tell it, usually without anybody's permission.” Would you ever put out a story that was very personal? Would you change the facts so you don’t make someone angry or would you stick with what happened?