"In writing, what’s really crucial is persistence. Every 'no' brings you closer to a 'yes'. And when you infuse your personal experiences into your stories, you're not just writing; you're breathing life into your characters. That's when your stories truly begin to resonate with your readers." — E.A. Aymar About E.A. Aymar Multiple Anthony Award-nominated E.A. Aymar’s essays have appeared in the Washington Post, the Washington City Paper, Publishers Weekly, and more. He is a former member of the national board of the International Thriller Writers and is an active member of Crime Writers of Color and Sisters in Crime. He joined me on Uncorking a Story to talk about his career and latest novel, When She Left, which has been called crime fiction at its best by New York Times bestseller Wendy Corsi Straub. Key Takeaways Embrace rejection as a part of the writing process and do not let it deter you from pursuing your dream. Rejection and disappointments can serve as valuable teachers, providing insights and wisdom that can help improve your writing skills. Feedback from rejection letters and conversations can provide opportunities for growth and learning, offering nuggets of wisdom that can enhance your writing abilities. It is important to be both patient and persistent. E.A. mentioned that he started writing seriously in 1997, but his first book was not published until 2015. He expressed that his path to getting published was not a common or quick one, highlighting that it often takes time and perseverance in the writing journey. Despite facing challenges, including writing multiple books that were not picked up by publishers, he eventually found an agent he enjoyed working with, leading him to the successful publication of his book "The Unrepentant" a few years later. The author reflected on the struggles he faced, emphasizing the significance of staying motivated and feeling like he was fortunate to have achieved the goal of getting one book published after experiencing setbacks along the way. Don't be defensive when receiving suggestions for improvement, such as changing the title of your book. Instead, be open to considering advice from professionals in the field who may have valuable expertise and insights to offer. Be willing to "Kill Your Darlings," meaning to let go of elements of your work that may not be the best for the overall piece. Listening to experienced individuals and being open to making changes can ultimately lead to a stronger and more successful writing outcome. Buy When She Left Amazon: https://amzn.to/3HGA73F Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9780593317297 Connect with E.A. Aymar Website: https://www.eaymarwrites.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eaaymar/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EAymarWriter Substack: https://eaymar.substack.com/ Connect with Mike Website: https://uncorkingastory.com/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@uncorkingastory Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/irisyamashita/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@uncorkingastory Twitter: https://twitter.com/uncorkingastory Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uncorkingastory If you like this episode, please share it with a friend. If you have not done so already, please rate and review Uncorking a Story on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.