Dealing with rejection as a writer
Hi!
I used to take writing rejections personally, analyzing what might have happened way too long. For example, if an essay was rejected it emotionally paralyzed me. I thought my writing must be terrible. I should quit. No one wants my writing.
Bring out the violins.
As it turned out, I just needed to take a class, do some tweaking and send it to a different editor. Once I did, it all fell into place and I learned from the experience. Do I still get my writing rejected? Sure. All writers do. It’s part of the deal when you take on writing. What’s changed is that I keep tweaking and sending it out. I don’t let myself get all teary eyed.
Sometimes the best thing you can do for a piece of writing is to send it out and get it rejected. Like magic, it becomes clear what I need to change. So, I do.
Self-pity is a bad play to visit. It’s o.k. to stop there briefly but if you find yourself showing up with a packed bag, do whatever it takes to get out of self-pity town. It’s filled with writers who couldn’t deal with rejection.
Remember, when someone rejects your writing for whatever reason that’s just that person’s opinion. It’s also a great learning opportunity.
If your writing gets rejected, ask yourself three questions.
Do I know for a fact it was rejected because it wasn’t good?
Does it change who I think I am as a person?
How can I learn from this rejection?
If you believe in a piece of writing, never stop working on it or sending it out. You will find a home for it …
Muse thanks,
Giulietta
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Giulietta,
Just getting back to your blog after a couple of weeks away; great posts.
You are absolutely right that a writer shouldn’t take rejection personally. It may have nothing to do with your writing ability. The literary magazines I submit to get hundreds of stories; the odds of even a good one getting in are slim. Also, often there is a gatekeeper who may not think your story is right and reject it right away, but that’s just one person’s opinion.
Sometimes it’s clear what needs changing, but other times it may not be. When pitching an article or submitting an essay, one problem may be that they are not interested in the topic or it has been covered. Just keep looking for the right home.
Hey Sally,
That’s the secret: keep looking for the right home! Eventually, it will find one. In the beginning, I just got rejected. Then I got nice rejection notes along with the rejection. Then I got my essays accepted. Persistence pays off!
G.