I was watching an episode of the old (1960s version) of Ive Got a Secret (I have to type it without the apostrophe because that screws up Amazon for some weird reason) yesterday. One of the contestants was writer John Creasey. He was undoubtedly one of the most prolific mystery/crime writers of all time, publishing in excess of 600 (yes, 600) books during his career. But the thing is, he recieved 743 rejections before he ever sold his first book. Somehow, I find that rather inspiring. 
Some of his 20+ pseudonyms include Anthony Morton, Gordon Ashe, Jeremy York, J. J. Marric, Margaret Cooke, M. E. Cooke, Michael Halliday, and Norman Deane.
Things have been shaking in the Reno, Nevada area. After a two month period of minor earthquakes, they had a somewhat larger one yesterday at 4.7 on the Richter Scale. And scientists are saying a 6.0 isn’t out of the question. Yikes!
Tonight on TV, we have Extreme Makeover: Home Edition (they’re in New Mexico this week), Cold Case, Wire in the Blood, and the first Mystery Woman movie which I’ve never seen.
Reading: Three in Death by J. D. Robb. This is a book with three short stories involving Eve Dallas and the delectable Roarke. 
Wait.
Wait.
743 Rejections.
Nope… can’t wrap my brain around that at all.
Comment by Marianne — April 27, 2008 @ 11:28 am
WOW! 743 Rejections and he never gave up. Now that is belief in oneself.
And I think I’ve heard of some of those psuedonyms.
I hope you’re having a peaceful day today!
Comment by Brandy — April 27, 2008 @ 1:22 pm
That’s a lot of rejections and yet he kept on writing. Good for him.
How’s your hand?
I hope your Sunday is a good one.
Comment by Dru — April 27, 2008 @ 1:39 pm
Wow, that’s a lot of rejections. If he wrote a one page cover letter for each submission…that’s still over 700 pages of writing. For nothing.
Reno’s rocking now, huh? Wonder when the midwest is going to settle down. It’s been a couple of weeks now of aftershocks.
Comment by kacey — April 27, 2008 @ 5:15 pm
743? Makes my own 47 sound piddly, doesn’t it?
Comment by Lexi Connor — April 27, 2008 @ 9:12 pm
That’s amazing about all those rejections followed by all those sales. I always tell unpubs that perseverance is what makes the difference between those who sell and those who don’t!
Hope your hands are feeling better!
Comment by Melissa Mc — April 28, 2008 @ 8:32 am
Talking about that many rejections is like talking about the national debt, it doesn’t seem like a real number.
Absolutely amazing. Thanks for sharing, Tori!
How’s your hand today?
Comment by Amy Addison — April 28, 2008 @ 9:48 am