Inspiration and tools for writers shaping unforgettable stories.
Seth McFarlane's Rejected Movie Pitches
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Since it's Friday, and the week may have reduced you to ooze, here's a little reminder that everyone gets rejected. Have a good weekend. Think happy thoughts, all that.Flat Out Rejected Seth McFarlane
There’s something quietly beautiful about friends who follow their curiosity through books. They chase questions, dive into unfamiliar worlds, and emerge changed— sometimes in small ways, sometimes profoundly. If you’re lucky enough to have one of these readers in your life, supporting them can be a meaningful way to deepen your connection. Start by showing genuine interest. Ask them what they’re reading—not just the title, but what drew them to it. Let them talk about the ideas or characters that linger with them, and listen without rushing to respond. A thoughtful question like, “What surprised you most?” or “Has this book changed how you see something?” can open the door to a deeper kind of conversation, one that honors both the book and the reader. It helps, too, to share pieces of your own reading life—not as a recommendation list, but as an offering. If you’ve come across a book or a line that resonates with something they’ve mentioned, pass it along gently, with no pressure to r...
By Patricia Hickman Writing a book is hard. Selling one? Even harder. Like many authors, I spent long hours writing, and even longer hours trying to market my work—often without the success I'd hoped for. Eventually I had to ask myself a hard question: Was I just “doing” the work… AND MORE HONESTLY, was I truly achieving anything? That moment led me to identify three mindset traps—what I call “deadly bombs” —that were quietly sabotaging my publishing efforts. 💣 Bomb #1 Letting the Wounded Self Take Over Years ago, I developed a detailed marketing plan for a newly releasing novel. I shared it with a friend—a powerhouse in publishing—and he called it “brilliant.” Encouraged, I presented the same plan to my publisher’s publicity team. But on a conference call with their department, my ideas were met with resistance. The publicist dismissed my entire strategy, saying none of it would work. By the end of the call, I felt foolish for even trying. I shelved the plan. ...
Writers are often asked, “How did you know this was the right path?” The truth is—we don’t always know. Like many, I’ve taken detours. I’ve chosen Road B when, in hindsight, Road A might’ve been better. But I’ve also learned that if your heart is in the right place, even the wrong road can take you somewhere worthwhile. Sometimes, the lesser-traveled path turns out to be the most meaningful. Life is a constant crossroads—so many ways to go. And in the moment, we often ask: What now? How should I spend this hour, this season, this chapter of my life? When there’s no clear direction, I return to what grounds me. I choose to do the work I was created to do—the thing I do best. Then I love deeply. I seek what is true. That’s the only road I’ve ever known that leads to contentment. When you reach a crossroads, how do you choose? Do you plan? Wing it? Pull your hair out? (Or maybe run screaming into the woods?) However you find your way, I’d love to hear your thoughts. Share your ...
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