Taking a moment...
So, the other day I decided to finally clean up my home desk and file away some of the many papers that have piled up in the last few months. I go through the process about 4 times a year, which isn't nearly enough, but it's all I can handle. I'd apparently forgotten to file away some of my more recent rejection letters, so that became the first order of business. And yes, I keep them. Every. Single. One. I figure one day I'll get one welcoming me, instead of rejecting me, and then I'll want to be able to look back on how far I've come. I'm very good at not letting these rejections get to me. Okay, mostly good. Every so often one sneaks in at a vulnerable moment. And still I keep them. Today, while filing a few more recent ones, I decided to look back through my collection. Just to remind myself how far I've come. You know what? I've come a long way. Sure, none of them were welcome letters, but I saw a theme. I'm a good writer. Maybe some agents don't believe I'm great yet, but I've got the start, and I've got the drive, to become even better. That, my friends, is what will get me published down the road. So sure, I have a stack of rejections. Most writers do. It's how we get better. These rejections are like fuel to the fire. They make me put everything I've got into my story. They make me stronger. They make me put everything I have into get to "The End."And one day, I'll get the other letter. The one that says they love my writing, and representing me is their dream come true. This day will come, and I'll dance in my living room when it does. Until then? I'll keep on writing.Labels: random musings, rejections, writers aren't crazy, writing
With friends like these...
Yesterday was...well, it was a Monday. That's really the best way to describe it. It was a Monday all day long. It began with my students being off the wall, and a tankful of dead fish and ended with a rejection and the news that the band I planned to go hear on Saturday, to celebrate my birthday, was not actually playing on Saturday.
*sigh*
It was a Monday. So I did what any good writer does...I emailed some of my closest friends and whined. Two wrote back fairly quickly, agreeing that rejections a week before one's birthday should be illegal. One sent an email this morning reminding me of all the hidden blessings behind the rejection. And yes, I briefly wanted to smack her. But how can you smack someone who points out that your new book is even better than the one being rejected? Another friend reminded me of the good parts of the rejection, which really could be taken as a birthday gift, right?
Lest you think I forgot, there were other good parts to Monday. Dinner with a friend, no critters loose in the room (unlike Friday and today), and a beautiful, sunny day outside.
And today was definitely a better day, especially when I ignore that my students managed to lose at least 2 isopods (potato bugs) somewhere in my classroom during science today. I found out that Megan sent me a cd (thankfully I didn't throw out that envelope), and took a walk outside. How about you? How's your week starting off?
Labels: rejections, writing
A week of ups and downs
I met a friend for coffee the other night. We discussed life with a new baby (his), dating (me), and the publishing industry. At one point, he likened a positive rejection to dumping a man because he was too tall. (Okay, I admit, he didn't use that exact word, but this is a PG blog, k?) After I finished laughing over this analogy, I began to really think about it...and he was right! Rejection can be so arbitrary sometimes. Remember that old line, "It's not you, it's me?" I know, sad, right? It's the line we use when we don't want to hurt the other person, even though it's their constant chewing with their mouth open that has prompted the break up. But sometimes there is a person out there who also chews with their mouth open, and can't wait to find a like-minded mate.
See? It's all about perspective. I know I've said this before, but it is. What one agent or editor might find pedestrian or over-used, another might find new and fascinating. Who's to say that even though 20 agents have rejected you (and yes, this is a mass exaggeration...it's for effect people), the 21st won't call you up inviting you for a champagne dinner to celebrate your new partnership? It only takes one, to start. Just one, "Yes! We love this idea and would be thrilled to represent you." Just one voice who loves your characters as much as you do; who can see through the rough patches to the gold beneath. One person to say, "I think we can do something with this." Once you have that one person? Well, the work isn't over. But it's a step in the right direction, now isn't it?
And really, why would you want to continue a relationship with someone so tall they leave a crick in your neck, when someone who is just the right height is waiting for you around the corner? Why settle for someone who merely believes you have possibilities, when you can have someone who believes you to be the star you know you are?
Labels: rejections, writing
