Do you know why we’re always talking about our Creative Support Triangle? Because it’s the foundation of leveling up in your creative career.
Today’s post is by author Shannon A. Thompson (@AuthorSAT). She recently unlocked a new level in her writing career and wrote this fantastic post about her experience. What we love about her story is it shows how leaning into your creative support system can:
- Embolden you to try things you feel are above your experience level.
- Support you when you’re doubting yourself.
- Celebrate with you in earnest, because they understand the significance of what you just accomplished.
Congratulations to Shannon for her milestone achievement, and thank you for sharing your post with us!
I Almost Self-Rejected Myself Out of a Publishing Opportunity
By Shannon A. Thompson
Last month, you may have noticed my blog post – Yes, Writers Need to Hear the Hard Truths. But Warnings Can Go Too Far. – go up on Jane Friedman’s website. I was absolutely thrilled by this. I’m a long-time fan of Jane’s blog and book, The Business of Being a Writer. I also regularly attend her courses at The Business Clinic. But I never in a million years thought my blog posts were good enough to be featured on her website. So much so that I never considered submitting. I didn’t even know it was a possibility. Then, my good friend Jessica Conoley was featured, and I was amazed by her.
What an accomplishment! What a dream!
She continued to have her blog posts featured on Jane Friedman’s website over a course of weeks. Each one was thoughtful and interesting and so damn inspiring. I realized then that Jessica had inspired me. (And you can read a list of her amazing blogs posts on Jane Friedman’s website by clicking here.)
After Jessica’s posts went live, I continued writing blog posts for my own website, but I kept thinking about Jane Friedman’s blog. What sort of posts do I have that would be beneficial there? Could I write one? Could I try?
I told myself that when I came up with a worthy idea, I’d put myself out there and submit. Then, BAM. An idea came.
I wrote it, but I still wasn’t sure. How could I be? I’d never written a blog post to be submitted elsewhere before. Once I decided I wanted to try that, I reached out to Jessica for tips.
By the time Jessica got back to me (less than a day later), I was already doubting myself. I told her as much, and she pushed me to send it. I clicked SEND a few minutes later. Soon after, I heard back. Jane was interested in featuring my blog post on her website.
I was amazed.
If it wasn’t for my friend’s success, encouragement, and tips, I would’ve simply decided I wasn’t worthy of trying.
It’s scary to put yourself out there, especially when it’s something new, but do it!
You never know what will happen.
Who knows? The next time you click SEND, an acceptance letter could be on the way.
In fact, right after I was accepted to Jane Friedman’s website, I gained the courage to submit my first short story somewhere pretty special. We’ll see how it turns out! Either way, I’m pretty proud that I already clicked SEND again.
~SAT
Next time you want to try something you feel is out of your league we hope you think of Shannon’s story. Reach out to your support triangle, ask for help, and do the big thing!
Then tell people about it because someone is going to be inspired by your bravery, just like we are inspired by Shannon’s.
As creatives we struggle with mindset issues like self-rejection all of the time. If Shannon’s self-doubt resonated with you, we have something to help!
Our Mindset & Your Creative Career On-Demand class has a ton of tools to help you build your mental resilience and support system.
Shannon A. Thompson is a science fiction and fantasy author, avid reader, and a habitual chatterbox. She’s the author of two YA series, Bad Bloods and Timely Death, and her work has also appeared in numerous poetry collections and anthologies. She’s the Story Center Program Manager for the Mid-Continent Public Library, the largest library in the Kansas City metro. Between writing and befriending cats, she graduated from the University of Kansas with a bachelor’s degree in English with an emphasis on creative writing, and she travels whenever the road calls. Learn more at her website.