When a Door Closes…by Marie Wells Coutu

Often, as writers, we get discouraged when a door closes.

Marie Wells Coutu

Maybe it’s an email from our dream agent saying, “Thanks, but no thanks,” like one I received recently. Perhaps it’s a message from our agent regarding our book that went all the way to “pub board,” and then was rejected.

We might even feel like the door to our writing career is closing when we get critical comments from our critique partners or from judges in a contest we entered.

Whatever the situation, it’s easy to feel that we aren’t cut out to be writers, or that our writing career is over—if it ever started.

But wait, dear reader/writer.

I know you’ve heard this before: “When one door closes, a window opens.” Some people may even attribute the idea to the Bible, and there’s probably some truth to that. We know that God closed one door to Paul and his companions but opened another one for them to go to Macedonia. (See Acts 16.) God used that situation to reach an entirely new audience.

This idea may fit if your publisher stops buying historical romance and you find that you must not only switch publishers but try a new genre as well. But I’m here to remind you that, sometimes, even a closed door is not locked and barricaded.

If an agent says, “This project’s not right for me, but I’d like to see your next one,” that’s more of a screen door slam. It’s not a full-on rejection; the entry door is still open for you to try again. Don’t assume she doesn’t ever want to hear from you again. You can still talk to her through the screen door, and you must!

If your project made it all the way to pub board, that’s reason to celebrate, even if it was ultimately rejected. With the help of your agent, figure out why it wasn’t accepted in the end, and see what you can learn from the experience. It may be a closed door, but that publisher may have a “mail slot” through which you can continue to communicate. They probably did not post a “Do Not Disturb” sign just for you, in spite of what your bruised ego tells you. Next time you ring their bell, they will probably open the door again to continue the discussion, and maybe you’ll even be admitted.

If the judges or critique group didn’t like what you wrote, take their comments, evaluate them, and apply those that seem appropriate. If your character motivation or dialogue or grammar was weak, then go work on that aspect of the craft.

You have a passion for writing. You believe you’ve been called to write. So persevere, and keep knocking on those doors, or talking through the screen door, as the case may be.

Above all, don’t assume a “no” means a door is locked and bolted. Your dream agent or publisher may be on the other side, just waiting for you to try again—with an even better product.

Have you ever had a closed door situation turn into an open invitation? Encourage us and our readers by leaving a comment below.

About the Author

The Secret Heart
by Marie Wells Coutu

Marie Wells Coutu began making up stories soon after she began talking. Her most recent title, The Secret Heart, and its prequel, an e-book novelette titled The Divided Heart, are published by Write Integrity Press, along with the award-winning For Such a Moment and Thirsting for More. She and her husband divide their time between Iowa, near their two children and four grandchildren, and Florida, where it’s warm all winter. Marie is working on a historical novel set in western Kentucky, her home state.

Marie is a regular contributor to Seriously Write. For more posts by Marie, click here.

Living Passionately

At one of my local ACFW chapter meetings, I had the privilege to hear Marybeth Whalen speak on "Being a Passionate Writer." In her talk, she shared with us the eight characteristics of a passionate life and applied them to writing. I'd like to take those same eight points and apply them to living passionately regardless of your situation. Here we go:

1. Take risks. Sometimes being chronically ill severely limits my world. I've learned the painful way that if I push too hard, then I'll pay for it the next day.  But, I've also learned that if I'm going to be a writer, then I'll have to push myself (within reason) to write daily, attend writer's meetings, etc. I just have to plan to rest the week or days prior.
2. Pursue rich experiences. How often does a "normal" person get to ride-along with a policeman in a squad car? I have - and not because I'd broken the law. I took a Citizens Academy class through our local sheriff's department. Yes, there were meetings that I had to miss because I was sick, but I still got to do a lot of things - like pet a police dog and watch a SWAT training session - that most people never will.
3. Be aware of God's promptings. This is a big thing. There are a lot of times when I feel inclined to call, visit or send a card to someone who is hurting. I may not be able to physically help someone, but I can always tell them I'm praying for them.
4. Make mistakes and be willing to share them. There are times when I do too much or get tired and cranky or in pain - I admit it. But, it doesn't mean I'm going to give up. I've got to keep on going.
5. Be real. When I first started writing for this blog, it was so tempting to totally ignore my health issues and not admit that I have problems with pain. But, that wouldn't be fair because so much of my writing is based on my experiences with pain. Chronic pain has been a refiner's fire - I don't have time for a lot of fluff. :)
6. Live creatively. This one was easy because I'm very creative (thanks to my mom and living on my daddy's cotton mill salary). Music always lightens my mood; a good book always takes me away from my problems.
7. Seek solitude. Another important point. There will be times when the world starts to close in, bills to be paid, clothes to be washed, the children need this, your parents need that. It's in those times when you need to set yourself apart and be quiet. I used to feel guilty about doing this until I remembered that even Jesus had to do this during his ministry.
8. Be a servant. Remember that others have needs, too and be willing to help them as much as you can.

It was so wonderful to hear that anyone can live passionately, regardless of your station, health or dreams. If you get the chance to hear Marybeth, be sure to go. She will be speaking at the Proverbs 31 Ministries She Speaks conference. Or, check out one of her books. I've got three of them and love her writing. I think you will, too.

Fortifying Friday by Christina Miller

This Fortifying Friday we welcome Christina Miller to Seriously Write. Christina has a heart for mentoring writers, and we’re happy she’s able to share encouraging words with us today.

Fortifying Friday

“I’m collecting rejections like a twisted hobby. I’m not sure God has called me to write.” My friend Shelley had just received that thin envelope that every writer dreads. All four of her targeted publishing houses had passed on her historical romance.

In my work as a freelance editor, I hear this question regularly: How do I know if I’m called to write?

My fourteen-year-old niece, Brianne, lived with me this summer. During the school year, she had piano, guitar, and voice lessons from a record producer who is teaching her to write music. Brianne’s parents plan for her to rise to Nashville stardom before she graduates high school.

During a summer family gathering, one of Brianne’s other aunties, Wanda, asked me whether I thought Brianne would make it big in Nashville.

“She’s got the voice, the looks, the stage presence,” I told Wanda. “But she won’t succeed as a singer. She lacks the most important element: passion.”

This summer, Brianne didn’t give her guitar a glance, and she didn’t play my piano or work on songwriting. She had no passion for her music. Where there is no passion, there is no calling.

Conversely, passion can indicate God’s will.

Some of us have been taught erroneously that God’s will resides outside our comfort zone. Some preachers leave us with the impression that the more uncomfortable we are in our Christian work, the more serious we are about our faith.

But what about Jesus’ easy yoke, his light burden? What about working within the talents and interests God gave us?

Are you good at what you do? Do your critique partners praise your sympathetic characters, your vivid settings, your heart-stopping love scenes?

Do you love what you do? When you have a few minutes to yourself, do you reach for a book or pull out your current work-in-progress?

What did you love as a child? Our main interest at age nine often develops into our greatest vocational aptitude. Were you a bookworm back then? Did you write stories in your wide-ruled notebooks?

People are more important than music to Brianne. I believe her calling will involve helping others.

But Shelley dove right into her next novel. She gets up an hour early so she can work on this book. Her passion for her work convinced me that writing is God’s will for her.

Discover your passion, and you’ll find God’s will.


Christina Miller operates Mentor's Pen Editorial Services. She can be contacted at christina@mentorspen.com Her passions include reading Christian fiction, especially historical, and helping new writers to hone their skills. She is a worshipper, musician, songwriter, and ordained minister. She and her husband, Jan, live in the house her grandfather built on his Southern Indiana farm, a place where they can pretend it is long ago.