Carol’s techniques and suggestions have completely changed the way I deal with the normal ups and downs of the publishing business. Rejections, writer’s block, bad reviews…all these and more used to make me feel like my career was over and my talent evaporated. I am now able to realize when my thinking is causing me to see a situation in an irrational light, and while I still feel my feelings, I can feel them and keep moving forward as a writer! What a gift.
–Jenny Meyerhoff, author of THIRD GRADE BABY and QUEEN OF SECRETS (coming in July 2010)
I’m a huge fan of Carol’s…Carol doesn’t just say, “You need to be more positive!” She arms readers with the research, tools and exercises we need to believe in ourselves- wherever life and writing may take us.
—Kim Hutmacher, author of PAWS, CLAWS, HANDS AND FEET (Sylvan Dell Publishing, February 2009), THERAPY DOGS (Capstone Press 2010), SLED DOGS (Capstone Press 2010) and TELEVISION AND MOVIE DOGS (Capstone Press 2010).
www.kimberlyhutmacher.com
http://wildaboutnaturewriters.blogspot.com
Even though I’m a natural born optimist, I still find incredible value in Carol Grannick’s teachings. Her columns act like reminders for me. Optimism isn’t naivete. It’s the ability to feel all kinds of feelings and to know that even the hardest most challenging times are temporary. It’s the ability to be resilient, to see the light at the end of the tunnel. This perspective has been the backbone upon which I’ve built my writing career as well as my very fulfilling life. I strongly encourage any author, artist, or person looking to enjoy life’s journey to learn these important skills from Carol.
—Brenda Ferber, author of JULIA’S KITCHEN, JEMMA HARTMAN, CAMPER EXTRAORDINAIRE and THE YUCKIEST, STINKIEST, BEST VALENTINE’S DAY EVER (coming in 2013).
www.brendaferber.com
www.brendaferber.com/blog.html
Carol Grannick’s essays and presentations on “Learned Optimism” have challenged me to look for the positive in the midst of a long process that involves lots of rejection. When an editor, who I had hoped would buy my YA manuscript, rejected it, I thought it would never sell and considered quitting. Instead of giving in to my fear and my urge to quit, I focused on the positive, that at least the editor cared enough to give me personal feedback instead of a form letter. By doing a revision in response to the editor’s recommendations, it changed the course of the manuscript and years later, it sold. In the process, I was able to keep my spirits up, which supported me to do my best work.
Kathi Baron, author of SHATTERED (WestSide Press, 2009).
