Linsey Lanier
Sally Kilpatrick
Sia Huff
Romily Bernard
Darcy Crowder
Marilyn Baron
Tami Brothers
Sandra Elzie
Carol Burnside
Debbie Kaufman
Maxine Davis
Tammy Schubert
Susan Carlisle
Pam Asberry
Lindy Chaffin StartEinstein…Romance writing inspiration?
By Tamara DeStefano
I’m assuming Albert Einstein isn’t the first person you picture when the subject of romance writing is brought up.
Don’t get me wrong, the wild haired, sockless physicist was awfully cute, but let’s be honest, he was no Fabio.
However, watching a documentary on the brilliant man got me thinking. The ups and downs punctuating his monumental career, mirrors in many ways the successes and failures of the struggling romance author.
Did you know that as a young man in 1904, Einstein thought about leaving the science world and selling insurance? He nearly threw in the towel because the article he had written on special relativity wasn’t immediately accepted. No one understood the darn thing, they couldn’t grasp the concept so it was in a sense, rejected.
As romance authors many of us have thought of quitting too. Especially after mailing our life’s blood out in a Tyvec envelope, waiting months or even years for a reply and praying in that time that our words will be understood. We cross our fingers that the editor or agent who requested our novel will embrace the plot, root for the characters and grasp the concept of our story. But sadly, more often than not they don’t.
And when we are rejected, many of us, me included, sometimes wonder if we were even meant to be authors in the first place.
Now, though his theories have shaped our world today, Einstein wasn’t what you call an overnight sensation. He labored over the perfect mathematical equation for years with little support. He even worried that someone might scoop his earth shattering idea.
But thankfully the cooky scientist didn’t quit.
And in 1915 after 10 years of rejection Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity concerning space time was finally unveiled. His idea, thoughts, inspiration and dreams were accepted…because he didn’t give up.
Einstein once said, “You don’t have to be born rich, handsome or strong. To achieve greatness you must merely persevere.”
What a waste it would have been if he had taken that insurance job and kissed the science community goodbye.
And in the same regard it would be a waste if you gave up on publication because of rejection.
Keep at it. Keep writing. Keep persevering and one day, like that wild haired scientist, you will be accepted too.
Thank you for stopping by PFHT.
Have a lovely day,
Tamara
Tags: Einstein, Tamara deStefano, writing
About the author
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Tamara DeStefano | I'm a writer, reader, movie junkie and Oreo eater. All though I should invert the order of this list. Oreo double stuff cookies and milk...THE BOMB BABY!
My favorite genre is paranormal, love those vamps. I write paranormal, historical and contemporary. I've even tried my hand at YA. Writing makes me happy.
Hope what you do makes you happy too!!
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March 4th, 2010 at 6:36 am
What a wonderfully inspiring post Tamara. I always smile when I see a picture of him and imagine Einstein puttering around the house mumbling about equations the way we mumble about our characters some days.
March 4th, 2010 at 7:18 am
Very insightful, Tamara. I’d never have thought to compare Einstein with writing romance, but I suppose that rejection is rejection, no matter what the source or subject.
I love that picture of him, btw. Just shows that even scientists have a bit of the naughty in them.
March 4th, 2010 at 7:35 am
Tamara–great inspiring post. We all need to remember to persevere. I still like the Woody Allen quote about how 80% of success is showing up.
Even better I learned something today!
March 4th, 2010 at 7:41 am
I agree with Cinthia. I love that picture of Einstein. Perseverance is one quality I have, so there’s still hope. I didn’t realize Einstein had struggled so long with rejection. Your post was very inspirational. Thank you.
Marilyn
March 4th, 2010 at 8:55 am
WOW! Talk about perspective. Very nicely done, Tamara.
It brings to mind something my mother told me in High School. She said, “The only thing that can make you a failure is if you give up and stop trying.”
Some of the best advice she ever gave me.
Kaye
March 4th, 2010 at 9:02 am
Tamara,
This is a great post. Just goes to show even the greatest of them had to work for it. Thanks for pointing that out. Makes me want to keep on keeping on.
March 4th, 2010 at 9:40 am
How did you know I needed that type of inspirational post, Tamara? Great read and thanks for posting it.
March 4th, 2010 at 9:53 am
Man, I think if I just stuck my tongue out like that at least once a day I’d have a better attitude.
Post fantastique.
March 4th, 2010 at 10:41 am
Ah, Tamara, this is a great post on perseverance. Sometimes we just have to stick our tongue out at the world and keep writing, believing in ourselves and our work.
Did you know there’s a wonderful statue of Einstein across Constitution from the ‘mall’ in DC? It’s huge. He’s sitting on these steps with a notebook on his lap. Equations are scribbled on the notebook and his quotes are around the base. I love the contemplative look on his face. Will try to find my picture of it and share.
Happy writing!
March 4th, 2010 at 12:20 pm
Sorry ladies,
I had a critique meeting all morning and just got home to reply.
Dianna, I smile when I see pics of the great man too. The documentary really opened a window into his world. I like him even more now than I did before.
Thanks for stopping by,
Have a brilliant day, Tamara
March 4th, 2010 at 12:22 pm
Cinthia,
It’s true, I believe no matter what field you’re in, rejection is still rejection. It can be painful and depressing, but we must forge on.
Thanks for the comment.
Tamara
March 4th, 2010 at 12:30 pm
Sally,
Love that Woody Allen quote. It’s so true.
Marilyn,
Glad I inspired you. Now make sure you use that inspiration and WRITE!!!
Kaye,
Your mother sounds like a wise woman. What a great bit of advice!
Susan,
just the thought of how hard Einstein, and other, work for what tthey desire makes me want to push even harder. Keep pushing toward your goals.
Debbie,
I’m soooo glad that my little post hhelped you out. I actually need inspration every day. That’s why I’m so grateful for PFHT.
Anna,
I absolutely loved your comment. Maybe we should all stick our tongues out once in a while.
Carol,
I wish I would have seen that statue while we were in DC. There’s a list I have of people, dead and alive, I’d like to spend a weekend with and Einstein is on it.
Ladies, all of you, thanks so much for your comments. I’m glad I was able to send a little bit of inspiration your way today.
Have a brilliant, productive afternoon!
Tamara
March 4th, 2010 at 1:23 pm
Great post, Tamara! Another one of my favorite Einstein quotes is: “Imagination is more important than knowledge”. How very true!
And did you know that it was Einstein’s first wife who actually came up with the theory of relativity? She was also a mathematician, and first came up with the concept, but it was up to Albert to actually come up with the formula to prove the theory correct. Isn’t that kinda the way it works sometimes? We women see the big picture, but sometimes it’s up to the guys to work out the nuts and bolts.
March 4th, 2010 at 6:02 pm
EC,
I know what you mean, and yep, I knew that about Einstein’s wife. Unfortunately she was a tad jealous of his success. Their marriage didn’t last and Einstein ended up spending his golden years with his female cousin. The man lead a pretty interesting life.
So we writers, roamnce writers, have to see the big picture, as you said, and often, that means seeing things through to the end!
Thanks for the comment.
Have a wonderful night,
Tamara
March 4th, 2010 at 6:40 pm
Tamara,
Great post! I love that picture of Einstein. He certainly was driven…and nothing could get in his way.
Neat way of tying in romance writing with the theory of relativity…definitely high concept!
Ciao!
March 4th, 2010 at 6:42 pm
Hey Tamara! I didn’t know any of this about Einstein. Wow. It’s nice knowing that even the greats have doubts. Thanks so much for sharing this insight. That’s what I love about reading blogs; there is always someone out there with a little nugget of gold that will brighten my day. THANK YOU!
Tami
March 4th, 2010 at 8:24 pm
Merely persevere? Pretty tall order, apparently even for Einstein. Thanks so much for the inspiration, Tamara. I needed that right now.
Great idea, Anna. All together now. Everybody think of that last rejection and stick your tongue out like Einstein. Naa-naa!
What? His wife thought of the idea of relativity ? Wouldn’t you know.
Terrific post!
March 5th, 2010 at 7:11 am
Tamara,
Sorry I’m late…busy, busy busy writing. Anyway, you are soooo right.
In the words of Winston Churchill,
Never Quit! That’s the same thing. Hang in there until you reach your goal even if you go to your grave and never achieve it. At least you’ll be known for persevering instead of being remembered as a quitter.
Sandy
March 5th, 2010 at 8:51 am
Sorry I’m late Tamara! What an inspiring post – and so beautifully written. I think it was Einstein who flunked most of his classes. One of my favorite quotes is from Calvin Coolidge – “Press On has solved and will always solve the problems of the human race.”
March 5th, 2010 at 7:46 pm
I realized recently that I’m too lazy to quit.
March 7th, 2010 at 8:51 pm
The writer, the artist, the inventor, anyone that creates runs the risk of rejection. Einstein’s passion was science and he was true to that passion. Those of us who create, whether we use pen and paper, paint and canvass, nuts and bolts must always be true to our passion. Rejection can be used as a spark to light a bigger fire. As Churchill said, “Never, never, never, never give up!”