Okay, I get it. The Rejection Club isn’t one you want to join or think about even if they had a secret handshake. However, for us writers, it’s like death, taxes and childbirth. It never comes at a good time.
Deal with it? Okay, I can do that and I have, but honestly, rejection hurts. Because I’m pretty much a Pollyanna, as you know, I have always attempted to learn something and gain perspective from rejection. Bowing to full disclosure? I’ve sat at the kitchen table with a rejection letter or email in hand and bawled like a toddler. Yep, loud and long.
Did it help? I think it did. As with all sorts of rejection, we humans feel pain, look inward and then make decisions based on the dismissal. Was it valid? What does it mean? What can I do to avoid this pain next time? All sorts of questions arise.
Looking at rejection about writing, we can learn from it, even when it stings.
Here are some tips:
#1 Work at being logical. When our gold words are refused by an editor, agent or publisher we take it personally. Who wouldn’t, right? Stop that thought right now. Writing for publication means you are in business. Do you suppose your hair stylist weeps when you cancel an appointment? Do you think the car sales person who doesn’t sell you the latest model sits at her desk and weeps? You are in business. Time to be rational.
Why did the rejection happen? Was this the right genre for whomever you sent it to? Did you follow their guidelines to a T? Have you truly compared your work to other published writing in the genre?
Note that most rejected responses in this business have nothing to do with us, our brilliance or level of professionalism. It has to do with supply and demand. If we’ve written a crushingly stellar romance novel, but readers have thrown that genre over for vampires, the book won’t sell or sell well.
If the editor or company is having financial issues or a change in staff, your work might be rejected. Heck, if the editor is waiting for the results of a really icky medical test your work might be reject.
Take all the concepts to heart. It may have nothing to do with you, except, you’ll never know until you keep trying to sell the writing.
#2 Work on your writing. Read the best writers in your genre and study their techniques. You need to follow the leaders and if, for instance, in your category there’s lot of description that jumps off the page, learn how to write that. Writing is a skill and the more you do it, the better you’ll become.
#3 Work on your attitude. Not everyone should be a writer. There’s fear, there’s fatigue and there’s rejection. If the work hurts you too much, talk with a listening friend or therapist because it’s certainly not healthy to creatively flagellate yourself for the craft.
A year or so ago, I was sitting with a group of writers who were loudly lamenting the woes of the profession, i.e., publishers were cheapskates, agents were swindlers and editors were dolts. I finished my expensive coffee and said goodnight. Why bellyache when writing for a living is something I love and willingly do? I have a choice and I choose to cope with reject and strive for acceptance. I choose to write.
Know what? So, do you.
©Eva Shaw, 2020
Eva, this was eye-opening! You have a fellow “Pollyanna” in me. I’m not one to cry, but I do tend to brood. Recently, I’ve submitted some articles for publication…or rejection; I’m going to prepare for rejection with logic. I’m going to honestly take it with a grain of salt as you say, “writing for publication means your in business.” I’d rather be in business than be too afraid to not be in business. Thank you.
Yes, rejection hurts! I have sat through some pretty painful critiques as well. I cried in my car all the way home from my class, but I didn’t quit. I endured the entire 10 weeks and chalked it up to another learning experience. Your list of reasons why someone might not have their work published is sad but realistic. Thanks for the insight. I’m a member of InScribe Christian Writers’ Fellowship and I contribute on the 8th of each month to inscribewritersonline.blogspot.com
I love this post and your attitude. I’ve just started your Writerific course online and can’t wait to learn everything you have to teach! I’ve dealt with a lot of rejection in pastoring people in church, building a business, raising kids… but never in my writing. It’s sort of my private sacred space so taking this step to say “I’m a writer” and working towards getting paid to be one feels scary but I’m ready and willing to handle the inevitable rejections I know will come with this journey.