On the same day that a fellow author was bemoaning about the number of rejection letters he received from the submission of his manuscript, a friend emailed me with what became the perfect pick-me-up for the author. It’s a book called “The Experts Speak” and it is just the thing for those moments in life when you feel you’ll never be good enough. This book contains quotes from the so-called experts in their field… experts who turned away, rolled their eyes at and even made fun of people who went on to become some of the most famous and well-respected individuals in history.
The book itself is enjoyable, as the author documents what occurred with a cynical dry humor; but the message of the book is priceless. Even the experts miss the boat sometimes. Even the Pros don’t always know what they’re talking about. So take rejection with a grain of salt …add a lime and some tequila… and keep pursuing your dream.
I’ve included some excerpts from “The Experts Speak.” Like some of the people mentioned below, you just might have what it takes… it would be a shame to give up just because you felt the sting of rejection. What would have happened if these people called it quits…
“I'm sorry, Mr. Kipling, but you just don't know how to use the English language.”
------Editor of the San Francisco Examiner, to Rudyard Kipling, 1889
“You'd better learn secretarial work or else get married.”
--------Emmeline Snively, to Marilyn Monroe, 1944
“An orgy of vulgar noise.”
--------Louis Spohr, on Beethoven's Fifth Symphony, 1808
“Far too noisy, my dear Mozart. Far too many notes.”
---------Emperor Ferdinand of Austria, on "The Marriage of Figaro", 1786
“You ain't goin' nowhere, son. You ought to go back to drivin' a truck.”
---------Jim Denny, Manager of "Grand Ole Opry", to Elvis Presley, 1954
"Who the hell wants to hear actors talk?"
---------H.M. Warner, Warner Brothers, 1927.
"I'm just glad it'll be Clark Gable who's falling on his face and not Gary
Cooper."
---------Gary Cooper on his decision not to take the leading role in "Gone With The Wind."
“A cookie store is a bad idea. Besides, the market research reports say
America likes crispy cookies, not soft and chewy cookies like you make.”
---------Response to Debbi Fields' idea of starting Mrs. Fields'
“Can't act. Can't sing. Balding. Can dance a little."
-------- M-G-M executive, reacting to Fred Astaire's screen test, 1928
"We don't like their sound, and guitar music is on the way out.”
----------Decca Recording Co. rejecting the Beatles, 1962.
The book itself is enjoyable, as the author documents what occurred with a cynical dry humor; but the message of the book is priceless. Even the experts miss the boat sometimes. Even the Pros don’t always know what they’re talking about. So take rejection with a grain of salt …add a lime and some tequila… and keep pursuing your dream.
I’ve included some excerpts from “The Experts Speak.” Like some of the people mentioned below, you just might have what it takes… it would be a shame to give up just because you felt the sting of rejection. What would have happened if these people called it quits…
“I'm sorry, Mr. Kipling, but you just don't know how to use the English language.”
------Editor of the San Francisco Examiner, to Rudyard Kipling, 1889
“You'd better learn secretarial work or else get married.”
--------Emmeline Snively, to Marilyn Monroe, 1944
“An orgy of vulgar noise.”
--------Louis Spohr, on Beethoven's Fifth Symphony, 1808
“Far too noisy, my dear Mozart. Far too many notes.”
---------Emperor Ferdinand of Austria, on "The Marriage of Figaro", 1786
“You ain't goin' nowhere, son. You ought to go back to drivin' a truck.”
---------Jim Denny, Manager of "Grand Ole Opry", to Elvis Presley, 1954
"Who the hell wants to hear actors talk?"
---------H.M. Warner, Warner Brothers, 1927.
"I'm just glad it'll be Clark Gable who's falling on his face and not Gary
Cooper."
---------Gary Cooper on his decision not to take the leading role in "Gone With The Wind."
“A cookie store is a bad idea. Besides, the market research reports say
America likes crispy cookies, not soft and chewy cookies like you make.”
---------Response to Debbi Fields' idea of starting Mrs. Fields'
“Can't act. Can't sing. Balding. Can dance a little."
-------- M-G-M executive, reacting to Fred Astaire's screen test, 1928
"We don't like their sound, and guitar music is on the way out.”
----------Decca Recording Co. rejecting the Beatles, 1962.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.