June 2024

The Value of No

The author, a former executive director, struggles with declining productivity as a full-time writer and compares it to the concept of “rate of reinforcement” in animal behavior training. Enrolling in a course on getting pieces published, they learn to write pitch letters and embrace rejection as part of the process, leading to increased writing output. Through this experience, they find value in feedback and gain the courage to confront rejection head-on.

The Value of No Read More »

The Sto Po: A Hypothetical Rant Against the Knee Jerk Content Constabulary

The author, seeking beta readers for their book about alien abduction, encounters criticism from fellow writers in a Facebook group, who question their authority and sensitivity on the subject. Reflecting on the experience, the author criticizes the tendency of some writers to police stories and suggests that constructive feedback should involve listening and understanding before offering judgment. They emphasize the importance of writers supporting each other’s creative endeavors rather than engaging in didactic criticism.

The Sto Po: A Hypothetical Rant Against the Knee Jerk Content Constabulary Read More »