Lynn Slaughter Novelist
Blogger
Creative Writing Instructor

As any writer can tell you, the writing life has its share of lows as well as highs. I’ve yet to meet a writer who hasn’t experienced rejection or hurtful remarks about their work.

One of my more discouraging moments came years ago when I was thinking about applying to the journalism program at the University of Michigan. I went to talk to the head of the program, proudly carting along my handful of clips.

He took a quick look at my work and announced, “You’re really not very good.”

I nodded, not sure how to respond to his dismal assessment of my writing. I decided maybe journalism school was not in the cards for me.

Nonetheless, I kept on writing features that year as a freelancer for The Ann Arbor News, and one piece about interracial marriage landed on the front page of the Sunday newspaper. I was proud of the interviews I’d done and got lots of positive feedback about the article. But that same head of the journalism department at the University nonetheless wrote me a note telling me what was wrong with my feature!

I think it’s precisely because we go through this stuff as writers that when we do get external validation of our work, it feels especially good. This past week, I experienced a couple of affirming assessments of my writing. The first nice thing that happened was that I found out my novel, MISSING MOM, was named a third place finalist in the NEST (National Excellence in Storytelling) contest in the young adult fiction category. Then, that same day, I received an amazingly positive review of my debut middle grade identity-swapping tale, THE BIG SWITCH: VARNEY AND CEDRIC from Readers’ Favorite that called it “a remarkable novel for children.” (https://readersfavorite.com/book-review/the-big-switch)

I can honestly say that I don’t write for awards or great reviews. I write because I have stories to tell that I feel deeply about and want to share with others. But it is so nice when folks respond positively to my work. So, I’m savoring the ups of this week.

And feeling very grateful.